World Class House

Overview

After being put through a rigorous selection process, New Zealand's most talented bartenders have been announced.

Currently in its eighth year, the Diageo World Class bartending competition is considered 'the Olympics of mixing drinks', attracting entrants from 50+ countries around the world. Winners of the New Zealand leg include Auckland bartenders: Lorietta Bahr of Bedford Soda & Liquor, James Millar of The Gin Room, Jonny Cresswell of Revelry, plus Kneale Brown of Matterhorn, and Ray Letoa of Roxy from Wellington.

As part of the final stage of the local competition, the mixologists will share their signature creations with the public at an experimental pop-up bar. World Class House will pop up in the more than 100-year-old iconic Ponsonby Post Office building this August, where the top five will compete over three days in a series of liquid challenges.

By night, World Class House will open to the public with a range of interactive cocktail and food stations, including a 'juice your own' bloody mary station, a spritzer master class, and an American BBQ with a bourbon cocktail match.

The World Class New Zealand winner will win the opportunity to create their own Auckland-based bar, as well as compete in the World Class Finals in Miami this September.