Next generation: meet the star bartenders of the future

After a record-breaking number of applications, 25 candidates are advancing to the second round of this year’s 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship. Discover the rising stars of mixology, located across the world from Ghana to Germany

The 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship opened for applications in early 2024 to uncover the world’s very best young bartenders and give one lucky winner a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain experience at three world-leading establishments: Maybe Sammy in Sydney and Virtù and High Five in Tokyo.

Hundreds of applicants have been whittled down to just 25, and these fledgling bartenders must now design a cocktail for the second stage centred around the ‘Future Positive’ theme that champions their locality and its ingredients. Entries will be judged by a panel of drinks experts, including Philip Bischoff of BKK Social Club in Bangkok, Claudia Cabrera from Kaito del Valle in Mexico City and James Bowker, global advocacy manager for Roku’s parent company, House of Suntory.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s roster of promising talent.

Name: Aanchal Jain
Age: 24
From: India
Working in: Maldives 
Current bar: Soneva Secret, Maldives
Follow them: @thenerdy_bartender


Name: Alessandro Pawelzik
Age: 28
From: Germany
Working in: Hong Kong
Current bar: The Old Man, Hong Kong
Follow them: @aless0812


Name: Amadeus Segura
Age: 28
From: US
Working in: US 
Current bar: Bar Kamon, San Diego
Follow them: @almondeus


Name: Amoafi Peprah Boateng
Age: 29
From: Ghana
Working in: Ghana
Current bar: Front Back, Accra
Follow them: @one_mrtuntum


Name: Billy Kwan
Age: 25
From: Germany
Working in: Hong Kong
Current bar: XX Bar, Hong Kong
Follow them: @billlykwan


Name: Calliope Draper
Age: 26
From: Canada
Working in: Canada
Current bar: Partake, Alberta
Follow them: @nonbarnary


Name: Christian Kang
Age: 30
From: Indonesia
Working in: Australia
Current bar: Charlie’s of Darwin, Darwin
Follow them: @christiankang


Name: Chuan Poh
Age: 26
From: Singapore
Working in: Singapore
Current bar: Night Hawk, Singapore
Follow them: @po_h_tions


Name: Edoardo Praitano
Age: 23 
From: Italy
Working in: Ireland 
Current bar: The Sidecar, Dublin
Follow them: @edoardo_praitano


Name: Eloise Laille
Age: 23
From: France
Working in: Norway
Current bar: Bargruppen, Bergen
Follow them: @Elo.lle


Name: Emma Fayle
Age: 24
From: Australia
Working in: Australia
Current bar: The Blacksmith Bar, Richmond
Follow them: @fayleemma_