The world of bartending has never been more electrifying. Once tucked away in dimly lit bars and cocktail lounges, the art of mixing drinks has now stepped into the spotlight, commanding the kind of attention once reserved for athletes and performers. This October, all eyes turn to Tokyo, where Southeast Asia’s brightest bartending stars will face off in the first-ever Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship Regional Final, a competition that promises to shake up the industry as much as the drinks themselves.

The journey to this moment has been months in the making. Across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, bartenders have battled their way through national finals, proving not only their creativity but their composure under pressure. What sets this competition apart is its focus on what Monkey Shoulder calls the “skills that pay the bills.” Instead of flashy smoke clouds and over-the-top garnishes, the emphasis is on the fundamentals; precision pours, rapid-fire service, the ability to identify a spirit by scent alone, and the speed and accuracy required to deliver classic cocktails without missing a beat.

It is this back-to-basics philosophy that has made the Ultimate Bartender Championship one of the most exciting new competitions in the drinks world. More than 8,000 bartenders from 21 countries have taken part since its launch earlier this year, and the introduction of a regional final has elevated the stakes higher than ever. For the five Southeast Asian winners heading to Tokyo, the competition represents not only a personal victory but the chance to showcase their country’s cocktail culture on an international stage.

In Bangkok, the Thai champion from WYWS Cocktail Bar secured their victory through technical mastery and a calm presence under fire. Thailand has long been known as one of Asia’s most thrilling bar scenes, bursting with creativity and hospitality, and this win was seen as an embodiment of that spirit. Malaysia’s representative, Ivon Soon, carries with her a story of perseverance. After four years of competing in the UBC, she finally seized the national title at Kuala Lumpur’s Enso Izakaya & Bar. For Soon, the victory was a symbol of Malaysia’s rising place in the regional cocktail scene.

Singapore’s flag will be carried by Wong Wee Siong, Head Bartender at The Lobby Bar, The Singapore EDITION, whose poise and consistency distinguished him from more than sixty contenders. For Wong, the Tokyo competition will be his first international stage, a chance to represent his craft with patience and composure. Indonesia’s champion, Yesaya Rotinsulu, brings 17 years of bartending experience and nearly a decade of competing in UBC. His victory was the culmination of years of resilience, and he sees it not as a finish line but as the beginning of a new responsibility: to raise the standards of bartending and highlight Indonesia’s growing bar culture. From Manila, the Philippines sends David Abalayan of No Entry Cocktail Club, whose remarkable speed and precision earned him unanimous approval from the judges. For Abalayan, the win felt surreal, but it also affirmed the countless hours spent honing his craft, preparing him for the high-pressure stage that awaits in Tokyo.

Before they step onto that stage, each champion will celebrate at home with a special guest shift, giving their local fans the chance to experience firsthand the drinks and energy that carried them to victory. These celebratory nights are symbolic moments for local bar communities, chances to raise a glass not just to individual winners, but to the rising profile of Southeast Asia as one of the most dynamic cocktail regions in the world.

The regional final itself will unfold from 10 to 12 October in Tokyo, alongside the DMC World DJ Championships. It is no coincidence that bartending and DJing share the stage. Monkey Shoulder, the whisky brand behind the competition, has always embraced creativity across industries, pairing the craft of mixing drinks with the artistry of mixing music. Both require rhythm, precision, and flair, qualities that will be on full display when Asia’s top bartenders take their place in the spotlight.

What makes this story compelling is that the competition is about more than titles and trophies. It is about community, passion, and the pursuit of excellence in a craft that is too often underestimated. These bartenders are not simply mixing drinks; they are redefining an industry, inspiring a new generation, and proving that the bar is as much a stage as any theater or stadium.

When the shakers fly in Tokyo and the crowd cheers each flawless serve, Southeast Asia’s champions will carry with them more than their personal dreams. They will bring the energy of entire bar scenes, the pride of their peers, and the promise that the future of bartending belongs to those bold enough to push the limits of what a cocktail can be. Tokyo, it’s time to raise a glass, the next era of bartending is about to begin.

The first ever Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship Regional Finals will take place in Tokyo from 10-12th October alongside with the DMC World DJ Championships. More information available here