EXPERIENCE A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION

For 15 years, World Class has been a driving force in evolving cocktail culture and supporting the global hospitality industry. As the premier bartending competition in the United States, USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO offers competitors access to trend-leading education and training programs backed by Diageo Bar Academy, mentorship and real-time feedback from industry icons, networking opportunities within the bar community, and the tools necessary to take their careers to the next level.

Applications for the 2025 World Class US season are now closed. Missed your chance to apply this year? Don't worry—there's always 2026! Stay connected by following @WorldClassUS on Instagram and subscribing to Diageo Bar Academy's newsletter for competition updates, recipes, and year-round inspiration.

STAY CONNECTED
Jonathan Stanyard with Shaker
Education
Education
Access to Trend-Leading Education & Training Programs
Mentorship
MENTORSHIP
Mentorship from Best-in-Class Industry Experts
Community
COMMUNITY
Networking with Global Bar Community
Growth
GROWTH
Opportunities to Challenge Yourself & Further Your Career

Key Dates for 2025

US 2025 Top 100
December 2024
Submissions will be paper-judged by World Class Judges to determine and announce the Top 100.
US 2025 Top 30
FEBRUARY
The Top 100 competitors will create and submit a recipe in response to a new challenge prompt. The recipes will be created, tasted, and scored by World Class Judges to determine the Top 30 competitors who will advance to the in-person National Competition.
US 2025 Competition
SPRING
The Top 30 will compete in-person at the National Competition. Those who advance to Top 10 Finals will participate in additional in-person challenges to determine who will become the next World Class US Bartender of the Year.
Global Finals
SUMMER
The 2025 World Class US Bartender of the Year will represent the United States at the World Class Global Finals.
World Class Studios

Join DiageoBarAcademy.com today – as a member, you'll get free, exclusive content created by some of the industry's best minds around the world. Signing up and opting in for the newsletter allows you to access top-quality training, bar news, cocktail trends, drink inspiration and more to help you grow as a bar professional!

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World Class Studios

USBG PRESENTS WORLD CLASS
SPONSORED BY DIAGEO WINNERS

Jonathan Stanyard
Jonathan Stanyard
2024 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Renato Tonelli
Renato Tonelli
2023 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Jessi Pollak
Jessi Pollak
2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Adam Fournier
Adam Fournier
2021 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Katie Renshaw
Katie Renshaw
2019 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Laura Newman
Laura Newman
2018 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Chris Cardone
Chris Cardone
2017 U.S. Bartender of the Year
ANDREW MELTZER
ANDREW MELTZER
2016 U.S. Bartender of the Year
Tyson Buhler
Tyson Buhler
2015 U.S. Bartender of the Year
CHARLES JOLY
CHARLES JOLY
2014 Global Bartender of the Year
JEFF BELL
JEFF BELL
2013 U.S. Bartender of the Year
RICKY GOMEZ
RICKY GOMEZ
2012 U.S. Bartender of the Year

Stay Updated on Everything
World Class in 3 easy steps

STEP 1
Sign up for the Diageo Bar Academy newsletter to stay up to date with the latest trends and competition updates!
STEP 2
Use #WorldClassUS and #WorldClass2025 to check out the latest World Class content.
STEP 3
Follow @WorldClassUS to see all competition updates and finalists!
USBG World Class Sponsored by Diageo
USBG World Class name and logo are trademarks © Diageo
Please do not share with anyone under the legal purchase age for alcohol.
Drink Responsibly.
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