The Rockland Group, a leader in the beverage sector, has teamed up with the Colombo Hotel Show and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) to announce the culmination of the 6th Annual Bar Champs competition.
The eagerly awaited final event is set to occur on July 27 at Shangri-La Colombo, featuring some of Sri Lanka’s most talented bartenders who will display their skills, creativity, and flair in a lively competition.
This year’s Bar Champs 2026 attracted more than 240 contestants from all over the country, who engaged in an extensive series of workshops aimed at enhancing their technical abilities, creativity, and knowledge of beverages. Notably, the competition saw a historic participation of women, with 67 female bartenders competing in regional events, highlighting the increasing involvement and opportunities for women in Sri Lanka’s bartending and hospitality sectors.
The competition began with a range of workshops and contests held in six different regions, including the South, Deep South, Negombo, Kandy, Sigiriya Cultural Triangle, and Colombo.
From these events, nine exceptional bartenders qualified as semi-finalists and will participate in the grand finale, vying for the coveted title of Bar Champs 2026.
To prepare for the finals, the semi-finalists attended an exclusive Bootcamp at Studio R, Rockland’s Beverage Academy, which included a masterclass led by the renowned Smoke and Bitters team, co-founded by Don Ranasinghe. This team has received the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award ahead of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and is recognized among Asia’s 50 Best Bars. They provided participants with global insights and expertise to help refine their skills and elevate their modern mixology techniques.
Moreover, participants received training on various subjects such as leadership, menu development, and practical industry insights from Rockland Group’s leadership, including General Manager of Group Sales & Commercial Strategy Chathura Ganegoda, General Manager of Imported Wines & Spirits Danushka Othnapitiya, National Head of Sales Chandana Wijesinghe, and Rockland beverage expert Asif Iqbal.
The semi-finalists also had the opportunity to visit the Rockland Distillery, where they learned about the heritage and craftsmanship involved in creating Sri Lankan spirits.
Now in its sixth iteration, Bar Champs continues to solidify its status as Sri Lanka’s leading bartending competition, offering an essential platform for aspiring professionals in hospitality to enhance their skills, gain industry recognition, and express their creativity.
Image Caption: Bar Champs semi-finalists visit the Rockland Estate to learn the art of toddy tapping.
