Bartenders’ Choice Awards CEE 2026: The First Edition Celebrated the Strength of the Region and Slovak Bar Talent
The first edition of Bartenders’ Choice Awards Central & Eastern Europe brought to Bratislava an evening that was about much more than handing out trophies. It was a celebration of community, respect, and a clear reminder that the bar scene of Central and Eastern Europe has its own voice, its own energy, and names that deserve recognition far beyond their home countries.
The awards ceremony took place on May 6 at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel in Bratislava, bringing together bartenders, bar owners, and hospitality professionals from across the region. The fact that the very first edition of BCA CEE found its home in Bratislava already feels significant for the local scene. Not as a symbolic gesture, but as a natural confirmation that our region has something to say.
BCA Central & Eastern Europe was created to highlight the bars, personalities, and projects that are pushing cocktail culture and hospitality forward. The nominees were selected by a jury of more than 450 industry professionals, making the final results more than just a list of winners. They represent feedback from the people who actively shape this scene every single day.
Six Countries, Six Categories, One Shared Message
The inaugural edition of BCA CEE recognized the best across six countries: Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, and Slovakia. Each country announced winners in the categories Best Cocktail Bar, Best Cocktail Menu, Best Atmosphere, Best Bartender, Improver Of The Bar Industry, and People’s Choice.
The awards celebrated venues that work with atmosphere, detail, and a strong identity. But they also recognized individuals and initiatives that help shape the bar scene beyond the drink itself — through education, community, creativity, and long-term contribution to the industry.
Among the regional winners were names such as Bar Sistema in Croatia, Forbina and Taigen in Czechia, Hungary’s Elysian, Poland’s Art Katowice, Serbia’s Beogradski Koktel Klub, and many other outstanding bars and personalities representing different approaches to modern hospitality.
A Strong Night for the Slovak Bar Scene
For the Slovak bar scene, the evening was special on several levels. Mirror Bar won Best Cocktail Bar Slovakia and also received the award for Best Cocktail Menu Slovakia. Antique American Bar was awarded Best Atmosphere Slovakia and also took home the People’s Choice Slovakia award.
But one of the strongest moments of the night came in the categories dedicated to individuals.
Michal Dojčák was named Best Bartender Slovakia, while Stanislav Harciník received the award for Improver Of The Bar Industry Slovakia.
For us at The Cocktail Balance, this result carries a more personal meaning. Both Michal and Stano are part of our team, and both have long shown that hospitality is not only about technique, service, or the visual beauty of a drink. It is also about attitude, sharing knowledge, supporting the community, and constantly trying to move things forward.
That is why we do not see this moment only as the success of two individuals. It is also a recognition of long-term work, education, mentoring, and the effort to create space for growth within our industry.
Awards That Reflect the Community
What makes Bartenders’ Choice Awards so meaningful is that their value goes beyond the ceremony itself. Their strength lies in the fact that they reflect the opinion of the industry. Of people who know what it means to stand behind the bar, lead a team, create a menu, build the right atmosphere in a venue, or work consistently to help the entire scene evolve.
The first edition of BCA Central & Eastern Europe showed that the region has not only excellent bars, but also a strong community. A community that recognizes talent, appreciates honest work, and highlights the people who are shaping hospitality not only today, but also for the future.
For Slovakia, it was an important evening. For Bratislava, a symbolic one. And for The Cocktail Balance, also a personal one.
Congratulations to all winners, nominees, and everyone contributing to the growth of the bar scene in our region with such energy, quality, and character.
Winners BCA CEE 2026
Croatia
Best Cocktail Bar: Bar Sistema
Best Cocktail Menu: Bar Sistema
Best Atmosphere: String's Bar
Best Bartender: Vice Damjanović
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Raise The Bar Adria
People's Choice: Urania Bar
Czechia
Best Cocktail Bar: Forbina
Best Cocktail Menu: Taigen
Best Atmosphere: Forbina
Best Bartender: Luca Cerqueglini
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Pavel Sochor
People's Choice: Cafe Bar Pilotů
Hungary
Best Cocktail Bar: Elysian
Best Cocktail Menu: Leo Rooftop
Best Atmosphere: Hide
Best Bartender: Máté Szabó
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Máté Szabó
People's Choice: Elysian
Poland
Best Cocktail Bar: Art Katowice
Best Cocktail Menu: Flisak '76
Best Atmosphere: Bar Pacyfik
Best Bartender: Dawid Stoch
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Rafal Ciesielski
People's Choice: Feliks Bar Café
Serbia
Best Cocktail Bar: Beogradski Koktel Klub
Best Cocktail Menu: Dragoljub
Best Atmosphere: Riddle Bar
Best Bartender: Filip Ivanović
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Vladimir Simić
People's Choice: Kumandra
Slovakia
Best Cocktail Bar: Mirror Bar
Best Cocktail Menu: Mirror Bar
Best Atmosphere: Antique American Bar
Best Bartender: Michal Dojčák
Improver Of The Bar Industry: Stanislav Harciník
People's Choice: Antique American Bar
