International Lineup Takes Stage at Region's Dedicated Bar Trade Event The Gulf Bar Show's second edition will draw more than 3,000 industry professionals and 100 global and regional exhibitors to Dubai on November 30 and December 1 at Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre. The two-day program centers on culture, craftsmanship, and community, with over 20 seminars and masterclasses, 12 guided tasting sessions, and 10 guest shifts. International bartenders and industry figures headlining the speaker agenda include Tristan Stephenson, Marcio Silva, Ed Cottrell, David Rios, and Yuki Yamazaki. Stephenson will also record live episodes of his podcast The Curious Bartender across both days.

Seminars Tackle Culture and Talent Retention Seminar topics range from regional bar culture to operational challenges.

On November 30, Marcio Silva will present "Brasileiragem: The Brazilian Way of Joga Bonito!", Yuki Yamazaki will discuss "Exploring Japanese Flavor Through Cocktails," and David Rios will explore the "Complexity Behind a Cocktail." A panel featuring Derrick Pereira, Manja Stankovic, Marco Corallo, and Francesco Galdi will address "Building Bar Teams That Stay: Retaining Talent Behind the Bar." On December 1, Ed Cottrell will examine "Less, Better, Different: How All Consumers Are Redrawing the World's Drinks Map," while Tristan Stephenson will share "10 Lessons from The Curious Bartender." Andre Stork will explore "The Daydrinking Shift: I'm Not Drinking Today - Are You?", and a panel featuring Rebecca Sturt, Laura Duca, Lana Shemonaeva, and Sharfin Auni will discuss "Made in Dubai: The Women Shaping the Bar Scene."

Brands, Tastings, and Guest Bar Collaborations Two dedicated tasting bars will host more than 12 guided sessions.

Featured producers include Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Sazerac, Franklin & Sons, Fuji Whisky, Meili, Undone, Nostra Mater Tequila, Tequila Insiders, PL Brands, BBC Spirits, Barrel Next, Invest NI, Seduza Tequila, Le Cigaro + Taylor's Port, and Aetea. More than 10 guest shifts will showcase regional venues and bartending talent, including collaborations between Mimi Kakushi (ranked #1 in MENA) and Hope & Sesame (ranked #1 in Asia). Additional venues featured include Paloma, Lucy Lu, Netsu, Soul Kitchen, Nahate, Barfly, Zuma, Salmon Guru, and Hawkerboi. The Absolut Tabasco stand will host six guest shifts featuring bartenders from ROKA, Gloria Osteria, Myata, Blind Tiger, Josette, and Moon Bar.

Competitions and Pop-Up Experiences "Bonded by Craft," described as MENA's first cocktail storytelling competition powered by Jack Daniel's Bonded Series, will reach its final stage on December 1, with attendees voting for the winning team. Venue pop-ups will include LPM, Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Coya, Sushi Samba, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, Carbone, Attiko, and Amelia, alongside a Red Bull spritz bar. An official opening party will take place at Don Julio Hacienda at Atlantis, presented by Diageo, while the closing celebration will be held at Soul Kitchen, presented by Moët Hennessy.

Partnership and Sustainability The event is supported by category sponsors Red Bull, Franklin & Sons, Surgiva, and Natural Ice, with partnerships delivered by MMI and African + Eastern. The Gulf Bar Show has also partnered with Evertreen on a tree-planting initiative tied to ticket purchases.

Why It Matters

The Gulf Bar Show represents a dedicated regional platform for bar and beverage professionals to access international expertise, discover emerging categories, and network across the MENA hospitality sector. For brand suppliers and venue operators in the region, the show provides concentrated access to trade professionals and direct visibility to Dubai's hospitality decision-makers.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is Gulf Bar Show 2 happening?

November 30–December 1 at Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre in Dubai. Expect 3,000+ industry pros and 100 exhibitors across two days of seminars, tastings, and guest shifts.

Who are the headliners I need to see?

Tristan Stephenson (recording live podcast episodes both days), Marcio Silva, Ed Cottrell, David Rios, and Yuki Yamazaki. Stephenson alone draws international attention—his Curious Bartender platform is essential listening for craft bar operators.

What should bar managers focus on—the seminars or tastings?

Both, but prioritize the November 30 talent retention panel with Derrick Pereira, Manja Stankovic, Marco Corallo, and Francesco Galdi if staffing turnover is crushing your margins. For product intelligence, the 12 guided tasting sessions with Bacardi and regional producers are where you'll discover what's moving in the Gulf.

Is there content specific to female bar leaders?

Yes. December 1's "Made in Dubai: The Women Shaping the Bar Scene" panel features Rebecca Sturt, Laura Duca, Lana Shemonaeva, and Sharfin Auni—this is the regional networking slot for female operators and heads of bar.

What new trend angles will I get here?

Ed Cottrell's "Less, Better, Different" talk and Andre Stork's daydrinking session telegraph where consumer behavior is shifting. These aren't theoretical—they're built on data from markets already moving and ready to replicate in your region.