Be At One’s Bartender Challenge returned for 2026 recently, celebrating the skill, passion and personality of the cocktail brand’s bartenders from across the UK.

Hosted at Be At One Regent Street, the final saw six talented bartenders compete for the coveted title of Bartender of the Year 2026, with Angel Mir Candela from Be At One Spitalfields taking home the crown and the competition’s £3,000 top prize.

Over recent months, more than 200 bartenders from across Be At One competed in a series of in-bar heats and regional rounds, showcasing their expertise behind the bar for a chance to reach the national final.

After progressing through the competition, six finalists earned their place at the grand finale, where they were challenged on everything from cocktail knowledge and pouring accuracy to speed, flair and guest engagement. A brand-new speed round was also introduced for 2026, testing competitors’ ability to perform under pressure in front of a live audience.

Angel impressed judges throughout the competition, also winning the title of Most Knowledgeable Bartender, before being named the overall winner.

The full list of winners included:

  • Bartender of the Year 2026: Angel, Be At One Spitalfields
  • Second Place: Sav, Be At One Bath
  • Third Place: Hooper, Be At One Lincoln
  • Most Knowledgeable: Angel, Be At One Spitalfields
  • Fastest Bartender: Eve, Be At One Bath
  • Best Pourer: Nick, Be At One Greek Street
  • Lifetime Legend Award: Joey, Be At One Milton Keynes
  • Best Bar of the Year: Be At One Milton Keynes

New for 2026, the Lifetime Legend Award replaced the previous Best Newcomer category, recognising a team member who has made an outstanding long-term contribution to the Be At One brand, culture and people.

The event also celebrated the achievements of Be At One Milton Keynes, led by General Manager Sam Milliner, which was named Best Bar of the Year in recognition of its performance, culture and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Gemma Gallon, Senior Brand Training Manager at Be At One, said: “Bartender Challenge is much more than a competition. It’s a celebration of the incredible people who make Be At One what it is and showcases the passion, skill and personality that our teams bring to work every day.

“The standard this year was fantastic and every finalist should be incredibly proud of what they achieved. Angel delivered an outstanding performance throughout the competition, consistently demonstrating exceptional cocktail knowledge, technical ability and confidence behind the bar.

“We introduced a new speed round this year and, alongside our new Lifetime Legend award, it made for one of our most exciting competitions to date. The challenge continues to play a hugely important role in developing talent, recognising success and inspiring bartenders across our estate.”

Be At One runs the Bartender Challenge as part of its commitment to developing and retaining industry-leading talent. The competition helps bartenders build their skills and confidence while providing opportunities for progression, recognition and career development within hospitality.