Applications are now open for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship programme – with a top prize of two all-expenses-paid trips to take part in stages at world renowned bars in Athens and Buenos Aires.
Launched in 2022, the 50 Best Bars Scholarship offers aspiring bartenders an opportunity to train at some of the world’s most influential bars – and to attend The World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony.
This year’s scholarship winner will undertake two stages – one at Line in Athens, ranked No.8 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025; and another at Tres Monos in Buenos Aires ranked No.10 in 2025 as well as being named The Best Bar in South America 2025.
Applications opened on 6 May via The World’s 50 Best Bars website and will close on 27 May at 12:00 BST.
The winner will be revealed at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 live awards ceremony, with further details on the event’s date and location to be announced in due course.
Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, Emma Sleight, said: “Beyond awards, 50 Best is dedicated to growing and celebrating a global community that is passionate about sustaining the future of the drinks industry.
“We are delighted to nurture the next generation of bar talent with this year’s scholarship programme alongside two acclaimed international bars, and look forward to recognising the next wave of aspiring bar professionals.”
Co-owners of Line, Vasilis Kyritsis, Dimitris Dafopoulos, and Nikos Bakoulis, said: “Our philosophy at Line is to create communities and share inspiration, ideas and our culture with people who want to be part of it.
“We cannot wait to host the winner of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship 2026 in our home.”
Co-founder of Tres Monos, Sebastian Atienza, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to represent Argentina as a host for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship and to welcome the winner into our world at Tres Monos.
“For us, this is about sharing not just techniques, but our culture, our people and the energy of Buenos Aires hospitality.”
Unlike previous years, there is no set theme for this year’s scholarship, giving bartenders ‘the freedom to spotlight a subject they are truly passionate about’.
Those selected to present their creations will then face a three-stage judging process.
In round one applicants will be asked to share their vision and inspiration for their theme and what it tangibly means to them as a bartender as part of a video application and questionnaire format.
A total of 25 applicants will be selected to go through to round two, where the shortlisted candidates will be asked to design a drink inspired by their theme.
That design will require evidence of the research, development and creative process. These submissions will then be judged by an international panel of experts, who will decide on a five-strong list of candidates to advance to the final stage.
For the five finalists, that third stage will comprise a rigorous interview with representatives from 50 Best and upcoming stage hosts Vasilis Kyritsis of Line and Sebastian Atienza of Tres Monos
The resulting three finalists will be hosted at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony, where the winner will be announced. The stages will then take place in 2027.
In addition to full travel, accommodation and subsistence costs covered, the stagiaire will receive £1000 per stage to support their time abroad.
