The second annual Bar Education Symposium took place in Karlovy Vary and Prague, bringing leading figures from the international bar and gastronomy scene to the Czech Republic. The three-day programme combined specialist talks, visits to Czech establishments, and evening guest shifts. The symposium itself, held at Spojka Karlín, was attended by 177 gastronomy professionals, who explored topics including creativity, leadership, bar team dynamics, hospitality, and the future of the industry.
From Karlovy Vary to Prague
The programme for the second edition began in Karlovy Vary, where the organisers introduced the international guests to the city, its history and architecture, as well as selected local partners. The programme included visits to key sites in the spa town and an evening guest shift at Becher’s Bar in the Grandhotel Pupp. This also provided an opportunity for international guests to meet the local bar community and the venue’s patrons.
After moving to Prague, the programme focused on the Czech capital’s contemporary gastronomic scene. The organisers took the international speakers on a tour of the historic centre and selected restaurants and bars, followed by further guest shifts in the evening. These featured international bartenders showcasing their cocktail creations and, according to the organisers, attracted hundreds of visitors. Alongside the 177 professionals, the project’s partners, brand representatives, and the media also took part in the programme.
Beyond Borders: From Bar Teams to Gastronomy
The main professional programme culminated at Spojka Karlín under the theme ‘Beyond Borders’. Taking to the stage were Alex Kratěna, one of the leading figures in global mixology; Stelios Papadopoulos on the topic ‘Flavor Formulation with No Borders’; Gregory Hunter with his talk ‘Beyond Borders of Authenticity’; Diego Ferrari on “Beyond the Borders of Hospitality: Just a Slice”; Maciej “Bobas” Mazur on “Beyond Borders of Market by Generation”; Danil Nevski on “Beyond the Borders of a Bar Team”; and Peter Bobula & Marešovský on “Beyond Brand Politics”.
The talks covered various aspects of the contemporary bar and restaurant industry—from working with flavour and authenticity, through leadership and team building, to hospitality and the relationship between brands and gastronomy. The professional programme was followed by evening guest shifts at Prague venues Minus One at the W Prague Hotel and the Almanac Hotel – Alcron Bar, where the programme continued in a more practical form through the work of guest bartenders behind the bar.
The Bar Education Symposium builds on last year’s event, which also saw other prominent figures from the global bar scene, such as Monica Berg, make their debut in the Czech Republic. This year’s programme expanded its international reach to include further personalities, including Alex Kratěna. The organisers are already preparing for next year’s event, and among the names they hope to bring to the Czech Republic is Simone Caporale, one of the internationally renowned bartenders of the contemporary scene.
The Symposium Will Continue to Be Held Once a Year
Following this year’s event, the organisers have decided to hold the Bar Education Symposium once a year. At the same time, they aim to expand the project further. The plan is to increase capacity to approximately 300 participants, expand the supporting programme, and bring a greater number of international speakers to the Czech Republic.
“Our aim is not simply to organise a conference. We want to build a platform that connects people, inspires the entire gastronomic community, and brings the world’s leading figures to the Czech Republic. This year’s event has shown us that we are on the right track,” says Vítězslav Cirok, organiser of the Bar Education Symposium.
In addition to the educational programme itself, this year’s event brought together the international bar scene with Czech establishments and local professionals. The organisers are now preparing the next edition, which aims to increase both the number of participants and international guests.
The Bar Education Symposium 2026 was therefore not just a one-day specialist conference, but a multi-day programme combining training, visits to restaurants and bars, and the work of international bartenders behind bars here in the Czech Republic.
