Diageo World Class, the world’s leading and most prestigious bartender competition, returned to Indonesia this year with a spectacular finale at H Bar, Jakarta. The competition continues its mission to discover and elevate exceptional bartending talent — this time spotlighting Indonesia’s finest.
Since its global launch in London in 2009, Diageo World Class has grown into a truly international platform. Starting with over 6,000 participants from 24 countries, it now reaches bartenders in more than 55 nations. In Indonesia, the competition has been held annually since 2015 and continues to nurture creativity and excellence in the local bartending scene.
This year, 68 bartenders from across Indonesia registered for the competition. After a series of challenges, the top 8 finalists from Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya battled it out at the grand finale for the title of Diageo World Class Indonesia 2025 Champion.
“We’re proud to bring Diageo World Class back to Indonesia,” said Astrida Pohan, International Spirit & Luxury Portfolio Manager, Diageo Indonesia. “This competition provides an incredible platform for bartenders to showcase their craft, creativity, and storytelling — key elements in modern mixology. It also fosters a strong sense of community among professionals from different cities and backgrounds.”
The competition goes beyond creating great cocktails. It challenges bartenders to innovate with Diageo’s premium brands, tell captivating stories, and create memorable guest experiences. This year’s event featured a panel of international judges from the hospitality and mixology world, including:
- Orlando Marzo – Diageo World Class Global Winner 2018
- Aris Sanjaya – Winner of World Class Indonesia 2024 and Global Runner-Up
- Rian Asiddao – Brand Ambassador of Diageo Philippines and Co-founder of Bar by East
- Kabir Suharan – Co-founder of Pantja Bar Jakarta
After a high-energy series of rounds — from the Top 8 to the Top 3 — Charles Richard from Seken Bar, Seminyak, Bali was crowned the Winner of Diageo World Class Indonesia 2025.
Charles will now represent Indonesia at the World Class Global Final in Toronto, Canada, this September — competing against the best bartenders from around the world.
“We are excited to see Charles bring Indonesia’s unique flavors and hospitality to the world stage,” said Astrida. “It’s not just about cocktails — it’s about culture, creativity, and connection.”
