ABOUT US

It all began with a dream in 2015. While working to bring a global beverage platform to India, I came across Cocktail Week—a celebrated platform spanning over 60 cities worldwide. It was then I realized that India needed a similar, consumer-centric initiative to elevate its drinking culture, especially among a new generation of well-traveled Indians. As I delved deeper, it became clear that improving drinking culture required more than events—it needed a structured ecosystem. There was a pressing need for an association that could connect international practices with India’s beverage professionals. During this phase, I studied the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) for nearly six months to understand its framework and impact. I also connected with Hemant Pathak, a leading Indian face of bartending in the United States, who was working alongside the renowned Chef Vikas Khanna.

One key realization stood out: unlike many other industries with well-organized associations, the Indian beverage industry lacked unity and collective representation. This led to the birth of the India Bartenders Guild (IBG). The next step was integrating IBG into the global community. The answer was clear—the International Bartenders Association (IBA), a prestigious body representing over 60 countries with a legacy of more than 75 years. Surprisingly, India had never been part of this global network. Seeing several smaller nations actively participating while a country of India’s scale remained absent strengthened our mission—to integrate India into the global bartending community.

The journey was far from easy. There were numerous challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. At the time, bartending as a profession lacked recognition and respect in India, and there was considerable mistrust within the industry. However, persistence and belief in the vision kept us moving forward. A decade later, in 2025, India was officially inducted as a member of the IBA at the Annual General Meeting in Cuba. This milestone is a landmark achievement for Indian beverage professionals and a defining moment for India on the global stage. It took nearly 10 years of consistent effort—participating in World Cocktail Championships in Japan, Portugal, Singapore, and Taiwan—to make this a reality.

This milestone also marks the launch of the Golden Peacock International Cocktail Competition—India’s first international cocktail competition. With participation interest from over 10 countries, including Cuba, the United States, Russia, Malaysia, and Armenia, the Golden Peacock symbolizes beauty, royalty, spirituality, and renewal. We envision it becoming a global platform that attracts bartenders from around the world in the years to come.

As India’s bar scene continues to rise, it is essential for our community to grow alongside it—exporting our culture, history, indigenous ingredients, and hospitality to the world. Whether it is The Oberoi or Taj representing India internationally, they consistently exemplify the essence of Indian hospitality.

I urge our members and peers to embrace this platform fully—to learn, train, and collaborate with the global IBA community. Let us bring back global best practices and elevate professionalism across our industry.

As President and a committed community builder, I envision an Indian World Champion by 2030. I also see the Golden Peacock International Cocktail Competition growing into a global event with participation from over 60 countries—marking India’s true arrival on the world stage.

I also pledge to make the National Bartenders Championship the ultimate platform for bartenders from all backgrounds—ensuring a fair, transparent, and unbiased competition judged by credible experts. This platform will uncover hidden talent across the country and create opportunities for individuals from even the most remote regions to represent India with pride and honor. It is not just a competition, but the beginning of a movement.

This year also marks another important milestone—the launch of the IBA Certification Course in India, in collaboration with the Cuba Bartenders Association. This triple certification program, along with a Social Responsibility course, is a crucial step toward building professionalism, discipline, and global standards within our industry.

As more platforms and competitions emerge in India, there is an increasing need to elevate judging standards. To address this, we are proud to introduce the IBA Judge Certification Course—designed to equip industry leaders with globally recognized evaluation practices and ensure fairness in competitions across the country.

Additionally, we have launched IBG memberships with Standard and Premium plans, currently offered on a limited complimentary basis. I strongly encourage the bartender community to become members and contribute to strengthening this foundation, enabling us to build larger initiatives and create more opportunities for the community on the global stage.

Together, we are not just building an organization—we are shaping the future of India’s bartending industry.

Archit Singhal

President – India Bartenders’ Guild Foundation