September 3, 2026
Mirror Hospitality Expo, Central Europe’s prestigious bar show, returns to the historic halls of the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel in the heart of Bratislava. For its fourth edition, held from May 4–5, 2026, the event continues to push the boundaries of hospitality, blending global trends with local talent.
The World’s Best in the Heart of Europe
The event is organized by a proven trio of visionaries—Stanislav Harciník, Peter Marcina, and Adrián Chrzan. The expo is created in close collaboration with Bratislava’s own Mirror Bar, which currently holds the proud title of the 25th best bar in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
This year, the Expo will host over 30 world-class bars. Visitors can look forward to industry icons and projects, including:
- Eddie Rudzinskas (Cocktails For You, Ireland)
- Adrian Michalčík (About Contrasts, Oslo)
- Philip Bischoff (BKK Social Club, Bangkok)
- Hampus Thunholm (Stockholm)
- Lukas Kaufmann (28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore)
- Katalin Bene (Blend&Bond, Geneva)
- Hyacinthe Lescoet (The Cambridge Public House, Paris)
- Minakshi Singh (Sidecar, Delhi)
- Agung & Laura Prabowo (Penicillin, Hong Kong)
More Than Just a Show: Education and Guest Shifts
In addition to the two main days of education—packed with masterclasses, seminars, and discussions (May 4–5)—Bratislava will transform into a "cocktail city" during Mirror Cocktail Week from May 3–7, 2026. During these evenings, Mirror Bar will host exclusive guest shifts by world-renowned bartenders, offering the public a chance to experience world-class mixology firsthand.
A core part of the Expo is the popular Market, serving as a global fair of flavors. Here, the finest local and international alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands will be showcased. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings of premium spirits and original cocktails that reflect the latest global trends in innovation and quality.
In addition to these highlights, this year’s edition marks a significant partnership with the global educational platform The Cocktail Balance. The Expo will feature a dedicated, specialized educational room hosted by the platform, offering a curated schedule of intensive masterclasses. These sessions are designed specifically for professionals and enthusiasts who wish to dive deeper into the technical craft and philosophy of high-end bartending, providing an intimate setting for advanced learning from some of the industry’s best minds.
A Revolutionary Partnership with Gault&Millau
A major highlight of this year’s edition is a new partnership with the international gastronomic guide Gault&Millau, which brings fine dining talent from three countries to Bratislava. Two tasting dinners—May 4 and 5 at 5:30 PM in the Savoy restaurant at the Radisson Blu Carlton—will bring together three holders of the Chef of Tomorrow title awarded by Gault&Millau:
- Kornél Kaszás of Babel Budapest (Hungary)
- Khanh Ta of TARO in Prague (Czech Republic)
- Lukáš Heuser of ORIGIN (Slovakia).
The six-course menu will be accompanied by a wine pairing from Amfora. Tickets are priced at €129 and you can buy them HERE.
The gastronomy programme also features Roman Kóňa, founder of Mäso od Romana, which earned the Gault&Millau POP of the Year 2025 title. He will present on building a personal brand in gastronomy. A panel discussion with the Gault&Millau Chefs of Tomorrow will explore guest care as the future of fine dining. Lukáš Heuser will also deliver a special talk for gastronomy students.
In the outdoor zone, visitors will find craft beers from Pivovar ERB (Banská Štiavnica), Asian cuisine from Soyshi Brno, Miki Streetfood, wines and wine cocktails from Amfora, and complimentary coffee from exclusive gastro section partner Julius Meinl. Official water partner is Purezza.
Four Pillars of Experience
Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026 remains true to its core pillars: Connect, Educate, Taste, and Discover. The event’s limited capacity ensures an intimate atmosphere, allowing for direct interaction with speakers and guests of the highest global caliber.
Bartender’s Choice Awards: A Historic Moment for CEE
A significant highlight of this year's program will be the official launch of the prestigious international Bartender’s Choice Awards (BCA) for the Central and Eastern European region. For the first time, these esteemed awards will open doors for six countries: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia.
The official launch and gala presentation of this project will take place directly at the Mirror Hospitality Expo during the closing ceremony on May 6. Bratislava will thus become the starting point for a new chapter of professional recognition for the art of bartending in our region.
Media Contact:
Stanislav Harciník
Email: stan@mirrorhospitalityexpo.com
Web: mirrorhospitalityexpo.com
Instagram: @mirror_hospitality_expo
