• Over 180 aspiring bartenders trained through Islandwide workshops
• Regional rounds across six key cities concluded successfully
• Grand finale to take place on 30th July at The Hotel Show Colombo
8th July 2025 – The Rockland Group, a pioneer in the beverage industry, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA), proudly announces the final stage of the 5th annual Bar Champs competition. Held as a featured event at The Hotel Show Colombo, the highly anticipated finale on 30th July will bring together Sri Lanka’s most promising bartenders for a vibrant showcase of skill, creativity, and innovation.
This year, Bar Champs 2025 trained over 180 aspiring bartenders from across the island through a comprehensive four-day workshop series, designed to elevate their craft with world-class instruction in mixology, bar technique, and beverage knowledge. The workshops were followed by regional competitions held in six key cities, where contestants demonstrated their expertise under the mentorship of industry experts.
From these regional rounds, sixty talented bartenders qualified to compete in the semifinals and go onto compete in the grand finale where they will battle it out for the coveted Bar Champs 2025 title.
Manoj Rasiah, Head of Spirits at Rockland Group commented, “At Rockland, we believe in nurturing talent for the local beverage industry. Our continued partnership with Bar Champs is rooted in our commitment to developing the next generation of Sri Lankan bartenders. These events are vital—not just for showcasing creativity, but for shaping a more professional, dynamic, and globally competitive industry.”
Patrick Pereira, President of SLHGA, added “Bar Champs is more than a competition—it’s a platform to educate, inspire, and empower. Partnering with Rockland allows us to deliver meaningful, career-building opportunities to young professionals who are shaping the future of hospitality in Sri Lanka.”
Trevin Gomez, Chairman of The Hotel Show, also shared his thoughts stating “Bar Champs adds a unique and exciting dimension to The Hotel Show Colombo. This collaboration between Rockland and SLHGA is a brilliant example of how the industry can come together to uplift talent, drive standards, and create real opportunities for growth.”
Now in its fifth year, Bar Champs continues to gain momentum as a premier platform for bartending excellence in Sri Lanka—spotlighting emerging talent, fostering community, and celebrating the ever-evolving world of mixology.
