On 30 and 31 May, the Refinery Gallery in Bratislava will host one of the most notable events of the season. Roast Different Festival 2026 (formerly Two Coffee Champs) will bring together more than 80 brands, top baristas and bartenders, and will ambitiously bridge the world of speciality coffee with the modern drinks scene. The result is a two-day showcase of flavours, trends and expertise that goes far beyond the boundaries of a traditional coffee festival.
Coffee as a bridge and a new dimension of beverage culture
The name change to Roast Different Festival reflects both international ambitions and an expanded concept. Visitors can look forward to the largest concentration of speciality coffee in Central Europe to date – with more than 80 roasters and exhibitors under one roof. A key feature remains the unlimited tasting included in the ticket price, allowing visitors to discover hundreds of flavour profiles of coffee, teas and non-alcoholic innovations without barriers.
However, the festival is significantly expanding its scope this year. “We want to show that the world of coffee and quality mixology are very closely linked,” says organiser Mário Adamčík. Proof of this is the collaboration with Bratislava’s Mirror Bar, currently ranked 25th in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Bars. In partnership with Pernod Ricard Slovakia, a concept inspired by the “quiet luxury” aesthetic will be created, where baristas and bartenders will jointly present trends that will only reach venues in the coming seasons.
From matcha to barista adrenaline
A new feature of this year’s event is a dedicated zone devoted to tea and matcha. In collaboration with Marco Beverage Systems and Barovňa Čarovňa from Banská Bystrica, it will offer insight into modern tea preparation as well as traditional rituals from various corners of the world. The focus will be on innovative extraction techniques and creative approaches that naturally complement today’s beverage scene.
The programme will be complemented by more than 80 specialist talks, discussions and tastings. Among the main guests is Valerián Hrala, a Slovak roaster and Q Grader based in San Francisco, and one of the pioneers of speciality coffee in Slovakia. Practical workshops will also be available for a more immersive experience.
Two competitions organised by La Marzocco will bring the atmosphere of a bustling café to the festival – Saturday’s team challenge, Crush the Rush, focusing on speed and precision, and Sunday’s Latte Art Throwdown, where visual perfection is key. The entire programme will be complemented by a musical line-up featuring local and international DJs, as well as strong links to the art scene.
There is also an attractive bonus in store for home coffee enthusiasts: holders of GOLDEN tickets will automatically be entered into a competition to win the iconic La Marzocco Linea Micra coffee machine. The winner will be announced on Sunday evening on the main stage.
Source: Roast Different Festival
