If you are a bartender working behind a bar in India today, chances are you are part of a much bigger story than you realise.
Over the last few years, India’s bar ecosystem has shifted dramatically. Talent is no longer concentrated in a handful of metros. Ideas are travelling faster. Regional voices, ingredients, and techniques are shaping how Indian bars are seen, both at home and on the global stage.
At the heart of this shift is access. Access to learning, to mentors, to platforms where your work is seen and your voice is heard.
That is exactly where the Handshake Grant comes in.
Ahead of its second edition in February 2026, India Bartender Show has announced the return of the Handshake Grant, alongside a 10-city nationwide roadshow designed to meet bartenders where they are, quite literally. Applications are now open and will close on the 31st December, and 100 grants are up for grabs. If you are an emerging bartender looking to take your next step, this is one opportunity worth paying attention to.
A Grant Built for the Bar Floor
When the Handshake Grant was introduced last year, it struck a chord across the country. More than 190 bartenders from 15 cities applied, many from outside the traditional metro spotlight. For 100 of them, the Handshake Grant covered travel and stay to attend the Bar Summit, opening doors to learning, mentorship, and conversations that might otherwise have felt out of reach.
What made the Handshake Grant resonate was its intent. This was not about competition or trophies. It was about removing barriers and creating access, especially for young bartenders still finding their footing in the industry.
For 2026, that intent has only grown stronger.
The Handshake Grant continues to focus on bartenders aged 18 to 25, with priority given to those with under five years of experience. There is a renewed emphasis on first-time participants, smaller cities, and regions that are often underrepresented in national conversations. Additional support has also been built in for those travelling from farther away from Delhi.
In short, the Handshake Grant is designed for bartenders who are serious about learning, curious about the wider industry, and ready to step into a bigger conversation.
Taking the Conversation Beyond Metros
One of the most significant developments this year is the India Bartender Show Roadshow Series. The team travelled across 10 cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Goa, and Pune, along with newer additions such as Dehradun, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Kathmandu.
The aim is simple but powerful. To engage directly with local bar communities, understand regional flavours and challenges, and demystify what platforms like India Bartender Show and the Handshake Grant actually offer.
“This roadshow helps us meet bartenders on their own turf, understand local flavours, and build relationships with communities that continue to shape India’s bar identity,” says Vikram Achanta, Co-Founder, India Bartender Show.
For many bartenders, especially in tier-2 cities, national platforms can feel distant or inaccessible. By taking the roadshow on ground, India Bartender Show is making it clear that the future of Indian bartending is not limited by geography.
Why the Handshake Grant Matters Right Now
India’s bar culture is at an inflection point. Consumers are more informed, menus are more thoughtful, and regional ingredients are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. Bartenders from non-metro cities are pushing boundaries, often without the visibility or resources afforded to their metro counterparts.
The Handshake Grant addresses this gap directly.
Beyond funding travel and stay, it offers exposure to workshops, cross-learning with chefs and beverage innovators, and access to senior industry mentors. More importantly, it brings young bartenders into rooms where ideas are exchanged, careers are shaped, and long-term relationships are built.
“Our aim is to widen the pipeline. There is incredible young talent emerging in cities like Dehradun, Jaipur, Guwahati, Kochi, and Lucknow. The Grant helps them enter the wider conversation,” says Yangdup Lama, Co-Founder, India Bartender Show.
This is not just about attending an event. It is about being part of a year-long ecosystem of learning and community-building.
As Minakshi Singh, Co-Founder, puts it, “The Roadshow and Handshake Grant ensure that India Bartender Show isn’t just a two-day event; it becomes a yearlong process of learning and community-building.”
How to Apply
Applications for the Handshake Grant are now open for 100 bartenders across India.
The last date to apply is December 31, 2025.
Bartenders are encouraged to apply early and to approach the application honestly. The Grant is looking for intent, curiosity, and commitment, not perfection.
If you have been waiting for a sign to step beyond your bar, your city, or your comfort zone, this might be it.
Apply here:
The future of India’s bar culture is being built right now, one conversation, one connection, and one handshake at a time.
