The Dom Whisky Cocktail Bar in Nowy Swiat hosted another unique edition of the Polish Bar Ladies Championship on 19 January 2026. The event was organised by Association of Polish Bartenders - an organisation that has for years supported the development of the Polish bartending scene and promoted the best talent in the industry.
Bar Ladies is a competition dedicated exclusively to female bartenders who, through their skills and creativity, show that women have a huge contribution and enormous potential in mixology. This year's edition had a special dimension - the theme „What if AI is a woman?” opened up new possibilities, allowing female competitors to use AI-based tools at the recipe, concept and presentation stages of their cocktails.
As Prestige Brands Ambassador at United Beverages, I had the honour of sitting on the jury and appreciating the extraordinary level of creativity and professionalism of the participants. The competition is not only characterised by a high level of competition, but above all by a unique atmosphere. It is a space created for women who often have to face various challenges in the bartending industry. Bar Ladies is not just a competition - it is a community of female mixology enthusiasts, a place to meet inspiring stories and share experiences. The final at the Whisky House was full of positive energy, mutual respect and support, which fostered lasting relationships between the participants, the jury and the invited guests.
The bar society is increasingly moving beyond the confines of the profession to become a vital part of catering and social culture. Initiatives such as Bar Ladies are empowering women in the industry, opening up new perspectives for development and encouraging innovation. This raises not only the level of mixology, but also the overall experience of employees in the bar industry.
What is more, the competition influences the development of the bartending scene not only in Poland, but also internationally. It enables Polish bartenders to showcase themselves to a global audience during the international finals, as well as to establish contacts and inspiration from different cultures and bartending trends.
The Bar Ladies 2026 final was held at the Whisky House, where the ten finalists had the chance to showcase their creations using products from partner brands in the United Beverages Group portfolio. The initiative of the Polish Bartenders Association and the support of the Plantaray, Citadel and 1800 brands deserve the highest praise. As Prestige Brands Ambassador at United Beverages, I am proud to support these events and look forward to the next editions and the opportunity to accompany the mixology champions on their development path.
All the participants proved how the female part of the bartending industry is growing rapidly, and events like Bar Ladies are crucial in building this positive change. It is not only a competition, but also a platform to develop, share experiences and promote innovations that add a modern and feminine dimension to the art of bartending.
Text: Nataliia Samotes
