Get ready for a showdown of epic proportions! The Iron Bartender Ubud 2023 is about to begin and it promises to be a wild ride. Eight of Ubud’s best bartenders will compete for the coveted title of Iron Bartender, showcasing their skills and creativity in the art of mixology! Starting from May 10th to June 21st, every Wednesday evening, two bartenders will go head-to-head in a cocktail competition. Each bartender will serve three cocktails, either signature offerings from their respective bars or new creations. The bartender who sells the most cocktails on the night will move on to the next round.
But that’s not all – the final competition will include a black box challenge. This is where the real talent will be on display! The contestants will be given a selection of mystery ingredients which they will have to use for their final cocktail creations. Talk about pressure!
Over the last decade a variety of incredible bars have popped up in Ubud; this competition is a way to celebrate these reputable establishments and their talented staff. At the same time, amplifying the fact that Ubud is now a hub for incredible mixology, not only in Bali but in Indonesia and beyond! Expect to taste some of the best cocktails created by bartenders of the following well-known bars:
The Night Rooster- Part of the famous Locavore family The Night Rooster is the OG of the Ubud cocktail scene, serving craft cocktails created using local ingredients and house-made concoctions by resident alchemist Raka.
Ibu Susu- they set a high-standard for mixology in Ubud when they opened their doors in 2017. Owner and head mixologist Ketut brings his experience working in some of Melbourne’s best bars and love of local ingredients together to create a unique experience. Ibu Susu will the host of The Iron Bartender every Wednesday night!
Aperitif- Located just outside of Ubud town The A Bar at Aperitif spares no expense for their guest experience. Perhaps the most luxurious cocktail bar in Ubud!
Kawi- One of the new kids on the block, KAWI brings us sublime simplicity focusing on fresh locally-sourced produce, offering refreshing and original ingredient-focused highballs and cocktails.
Kyoka- the (not so little) sister of ‘Ibu Susu’, the talent of the bar staff expended to this modern Japanese restaurant with an extensive cocktail menu that compliments their relaxed sophisticated vibe.
Lynked- A cutting edge dining establishment, Lynked fuses the creativity of conceptual design with the art of cooking. The menu was created to not only tantalise the palate but stimulate the intellect!
Mozaic- Mozaic Ubud was established 20 years ago by founder and head chef Chris Salans and is most famously known as one of Bali’s premier fine dining establishments.
Unlike regular competitions, The Iron Bartender Ubud aims to promote the craft of bartending and mixology in the spirit of friendship and community. The focus is on mentorship and supporting one another, while also promoting Ubud as a centre of bartending and mixology.
The competition was born during the Covid-19 pandemic, when bartenders were looking for a way to improve their skills when they didn’t have access to materials. Founders Ketut Aprinawan from IBU SUSU and Kadek Suryawan a.k.a. Anton from The Sayan House created casual nights of friendly competition at Kyoka Japanese Kitchen, with young bartenders from Ubud and its surrounds joining the competition.
Since the reopening of Bali to tourism post Covid, Ketut and Anton felt the competition they dreamt up could become something bigger – a way of highlighting the incredible talent of the bartending community in Ubud; and, wonderful event showcasing some of the best talent in the hood to the public!
So, get ready to witness the best of the best in the world of bartending each Wednesday night at Ibu Susu (reserve a table to ensure you’re in on the action!). Who will be crowned Iron Bartender Ubud 2023? Stay tuned to find out!
IBU SUSU VS KYOKA - WED 10 MAY
MOZAIC VS THE NIGHT ROOSTER - WED 17 MAY
KAWI VS MYSTERY BAR - WED 24 MAY
LYNKED VS APERITIF - WED 31 MAY
SEMI-FINALS - WED 7 JUNE
SEMI-FINALS - WED 14 JUNE
FINAL - WED 21 JUNE
