From 22 to 28 September 2025, the city was the stage for Barcelona Hotel Bar Week (BHBW), the world’s first cocktail week entirely dedicated to hotel bars. Over 60 events took place throughout the week, giving the city new lights and colours and leaving an indelible mark. Anticipation is already building for the second edition in 2026.
The inaugural Barcelona Hotel Bar Week (BHBW), held from September 22nd to 28th, 2025, successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in elevating the city’s hotel bar scene. The week-long event brought together 25 of Barcelona’s finest hotel bars, offering a unique program that highlighted mixology, gastronomy, and international collaboration.
The week-long celebration brought together the best of the hotel bar community, showcasing incredible creativity and innovation. It attracted a diverse crowd, with both locals and international visitors eager to discover a new way of visiting Barcelona. Each hotel bar created a drink list available the whole week, and organized special events, from hands-on masterclasses and tasting menus to exciting guest shifts featuring Spanish and international mixologists. These events truly highlighted the amazing talent and potential of experiences available in Barcelona’s luxury hotels, which, till now, were not yet exposed or given space to shine and show their creativity.
“The response to the first edition of Barcelona Hotel Bar Week has been overwhelming,” said Bianca Grisolia BHBW Organizer. “We set out to shine a spotlight on the incredible hotel bar scene in Barcelona, and the enthusiasm from both the bars and the public has exceeded all expectations. The city has truly embraced this initiative, and we are already looking forward to a second edition in 2026.“
The Barcelona Hotel Bar Week 2025 encouraged a sense of partnership and community. Visitors discovered new places and enjoyed the cocktails in beautiful ad elegant surroundings. The event not only boosted the reputation of Barcelona’s hotel bars but also cemented the city’s status as a top spot for excellent mixology and cultural tourism.
Preparations are already underway for the second edition of Barcelona Hotel Bar Week in 2026, promising an even grander celebration of hotel bar culture. – Dates and more info coming soon.
BHBW25 – THE NUMBERS
- 7 days of events
- 25 hotel bars
- 8 international guest bartenders
- 13 spanish guest bartenders
- 60 events (presentations, workshops and masterclasses, guestshift, tasting, Mix&Eat events, and more)
- more than 2.500 BHBW cocktails made during the week across the venues
- Local and international attendees over the seven days of event
WHAT HAPPENED AT BARCELONA HOTEL BAR WEEK (BHBW)
Throughout the week, all participating bars presented an exclusive drink list featuring a minimum of 2 drinks: a Signature Cocktail and a low ABV or non-alcoholic option, all available at a special price of €12.
The event officially kicked off on Monday, September 22nd, with an exclusive invitation-only Opening Party on the terrace of the Cotton House Hotel, a key supporter of BHBW from the very beginning.
Riccardo del Gatto, F&B Manager at Cotton House Hotel, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative: “We were proud to be part of the first edition of Barcelona Hotel Bar Week, together with over more than 20 hotels in the city, to celebrate our shared passion for mixology and commitment to quality. The first edition of the Barcelona Hotel Bar Week represented a unique opportunity to give visibility to the true value of the hotel bar: not only as an additional service, but as an essential part of the hospitality experience.”
The event calendar was rich and diverse, featuring a range of activities from painting classes with non-alcoholic drinks to themed brunches, dinners with cocktail pairings, book and magazine presentation, and sensory masterclasses. Wellness activities were also included, such as a morning yoga class with aromatherapy, which will definitely play a bigger role in future editions.
One of the highlights of the week was the guest shift with Salvatore Calabrese “The Maestro” , Federico Pavan and Cristiana Pirinu from The Donovan team, on Tuesday night. For one evening, “The Maestro” took over the elegant Batuar Bar, welcoming attendees with the art of aperitivo, his charismatic presence, and a masterclass in the true meaning of hospitality, reinforcing why he remains a towering figure in the global bar industry.
Another highlight was the Roundtable organized by Se Busca Mezcal, on Thursday at The Circle (Hesperia Barri Gòtic), where a starred panel discussed the theme of “Career Paths & Culture of Leadership in Hospitality”, with renowned speakers such as Arina Nikolskaya (founder of Shift Project – Academy Chair The World’s 50 Best Bars); Elayne Duff, (Global Director of Advocacy for Heaven Hill); Bianca Grisolia (founder Barcelona Hotel Bar Week – founder BG PR&Communication – co-founder Shochu Dō); Elvira Aldaz (journalist – shochu advocate – co-founder Shochu Dō); Genesis Gelvez (bar manager The Circle); Meritxell Coll (ambassador General Goods).
During the week, also a Mandarin Global Night took place on Saturday, September 27th, at the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, which saw mixologists from MO Barcelona, MO London, and MO Madrid come together for one night. Also featured in the agenda: an evening with Emanuele Balestra, renowned mixologist, botanist and parfumist, at Bar GOT; a pop-up with Paradiso at Hall0 Bar at Monument; and a special guest in one of the suite of Miiro Borneta Hotel, that for one evening became the mystery location for a special pop-up bar with Alberto Martínez and Mayte Esbrí, from 1862 Dry Bar, Madrid.
During the whole week BHBW welcomed a distinguished roster of international guests, including renowned figures such as Riccardo Licorni from The Court (Rome), Salvatore Calabrese “The Maestro” and Federico Pavan, Cristiana Donovan (London), Emanuele Balestra (Cannes), Kelvin Thairu and James Kariuki from the Hero team (Nairobi), Brent Perremore from Art of Duplicity (Cape Town). National and local talents were also prominently featured, with speakers and bartenders including Federico Lombardi and Anna (Paradiso), Almudena Castro (Dr. Stravinsky), Davide Norcini (Stravinsky’s Parfumerie), Alberto Martinez and Mayte Esbrí (1862 Dry Bar), Jorge Balbontin, Silvia Dorninger (Aldea), Eleany Quintero (Momus), Andrea Lorusso (co-founder of Gardeum), Juan Valls (El Niño Perdido), Pau Braso (Proximo Spain), Omar Jaimes (Marlowe), Valentino Creatura (Ketel One Vodka), Sergio Pardo (@misakidrinks), and Tania Shamshur (Condesa Gin).
“BHBW was truly exceptional. A week full of emotions, creativity, knowledge, and celebration. More than an event, it felt like the start of a new tradition for Barcelona’s hospitality scene.“said Hugo Maciel, bar manager at Banker’s Bar.
The week ended officially with the Closing Party on Sunday 28th, at the stunning location of Noxe, W Barcelona, with views of the 10pm fireworks over the skyline of the city, on the occasion of la Mercè, Barcelona’s most important annual festivity. From midnight, everyone moved to an after party at The Barcelona EDITION, with Brent Perremore from Art of Duplicity (Cape Town), working together with Marie Amelie Fabre, head bartender at Punch Room.
The International Program Exchange
The first edition of BHBW also initiated exciting Exchanges and International Collaborations with other debuting international events: Cape Town Cocktail Week (December 10-16, 2025) led by Leah van Deventer, and Kenya Bartender Week (September 2-8, 2025). As part of these exchanges, Brent Perremore from Art of Duplicity (Cape Town) had a guest shift at Batuar, Cotton House Hotel, on Saturday, September 27th, with the Batuar team set to visit Cape Town in December. Similarly, Kelvin Thairu and James Kariuki from the Hero team (Nairobi) brought their cocktails to Kyara, SLS Barcelona, for a special guest shift on Thursday, September 25th, and then the Kyara team will travel to Nairobi in the coming months.
Barcelona Gin Masters Challenge
A standout initiative designed to foster community among hotels was the Barcelona Gin Masters Challenge, organized by 100&NOMORE Gin. Hosted at the Hotel InterContinental Barcelona on Wednesday, September 24th, the event saw eight bartenders compete in a friendly challenge guided by four renowned global mentors, creating a trilogy of gin-based cocktails. Participants gained valuable visibility, networking opportunities, and even the chance to become brand ambassadors or create special editions for BHBW 2026.
The Mentors: Philip Duff (Spirits educator and Gin Guild Rectifier member); Mauri Jiménez (journalist and mixologist); Javier Caballero (mixologist); Chef Jon Garcia(founder of Jon Cake)
The bartenders participant: Chiara Lipari (MR PORTER, Sir Victor); Marie Amelie Fabre (Punch Room, The Barcelona EDITION); Filip Mruklik (Batuar, Cotton House Hotel); Sergio Flor (Bankers Bar, Mandarin Oriental); Marius Ionescu (Hall0, Monument Hotel); Kevin Erazo (Goja, Renaissance Barcelona); Giovanni Ferrari (Can Bo, Grand Hotel Central); Juan Emilio Bonaterre (Gebre, InterContinental Barcelona).
The prizes: Everyone walked away with something valuable from the challenge, which provided visibility, networking, and unique opportunities. The participant whose recipe was chosen as winner, Marie Amelie Fabre (Punch Room, The Barcelona EDITION), will collaborate on the creation of a Gin 100&NOME special edition for BHBW26. Sergio Flor (Bankers Bar, Mandarin Oriental) earned a brunch for two at the Michelin-starred restaurant of the Intercontinental; Giovanni Ferrari (Can Bo, Grand Hotel Central) will have the chance to serve as ambassador for the brand for the next year; Filip Mruklik (Batuar, Cotton House Hotel) received spa access for two at the Intercontinental; the other four participants were gifted a box collection featuring three of the special edition gins.
Japan-Catalunya activation with Shochu Dō
Shochu Day on Saturday, September 27th, celebrated the unique Japanese spirit as part of the year of friendship between Catalonia and Japan. With the aim to bring visibility to the category of shochu and awamori, divulge awareness and knowledge, and position the category as one of main spirit in the F&B community and luxury hotels. The day hosted a masterclass and a guestshift, both open to industry and public, to show the versatility and the use of shochu in mixology.
BHWB Mix & Eat Activation
The Mix & Eat activation was a flagship initiative that seamlessly blended mixology and gastronomy. Throughout the week, several hotels offered unique sensory experiences, including refined brunches, innovative tapas, and gourmet dinners expertly paired with their signature cocktails. The full list of participating hotels, published on the official website, allowed attendees to embark on a “foodie route” to discover diverse venues and integrated culinary and cocktail experiences.
BHWB & Makeat
BHBW’s commitment to elevating hotel bars as spaces of creativity, innovation, and excellence was further solidified through its partnership with Makeat, a gastronomic and food design development center. This collaboration aimed at fostering interdisciplinary conversations and co-creation within hotels. Makeat and BHBW designed exclusive workshops, both pre-event and during the week, providing tools, ideas, and creative stimuli to hotel teams, effectively merging cuisine and mixology. This alliance addressed critical industry issues such as circularity and differentiation, redefining the consumer experience and positioning BHBW25 as a strategic thinking platform for the future of hotel bars. Not only events and seminars, Makeat participated actively in creating one of the main gadgets of BHBW, a metal bottle opener shaped as BHBW iconic logo, keyhole with a martini glass, which became a design piece to remember this first edition.
For more information and a recap of the events, please visit www.barcelonahotelbarweek.com and follow @barcelonahotelbarweek on Instagram.
The Hotel Bars of the first edition
- Almanac Barcelona – Azimuth Rooftop Bar
- Cotton House Hotel – Batuar Bar & Restaurant
- Grand Hotel Central – Can Bo
- Grand Hyatt Barcelona – Maymanta
- The Palace Barcelona – The Hall
- The Palace Barcelona – Amar Barcelona
- Hesperia Gothic Quarter – The Circle
- Hotel Kimpton Vividora – GOT BAR
- Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona – La Terraza
- Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona – Lobby Bar
- InterContinental Barcelona – GEBRE
- Le Méridien Barcelona – CentOnze Bar
- Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona – El Bar del Majestic
- Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona – Banker’s Bar
- Miiro Borneta – Volta Bar
- Monument Hotel- Hallo Cocktail Bar
- Nobu Hotel Barcelona – Nobu Bar
- Renaissance Barcelona Hotel – Goja Rooftop
- Serras Barcelona – Le Nine
- Sir Victor – MR PORTER
- SLS Barcelona – Kyara
- Sofitel Barcelona Skipper – Tendiez Cocktail Bar
- The Barcelona EDITION – Punch Room
- Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa – Yurbban Cocktail Bar
- W Barcelona – Noxe
Thanks to:
Sponsorships
100&NOMORE, Azular Tequila, Bushmills Malts, Condesa Gin, Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Gardeum, Ketel One, L’Original Combier Triple Sec, Matusalem, Barsol, Monin
Other Partnerships and Collaborations
Makeat, Shochu Do, Cocktail Critters, Bombas Design, Arbikie, Lilou Gin, Se Busca Mescal
Media Partner
BCN Fashion Press, Beber Magazine, Hule Y Mantel, A Lush Life Manual, Coqtail for Fine Drinkers, Drinks International, How to Bar, The Cocktail Lovers
International Partner
Cape Town Cocktail Week, Top500 Bars, Kenya Bartender Week, Shift Project
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