At the end of March, Thessaloniki will see the bar business concentrate into two days that confirm the city as one of the most closely watched destinations in both the local and international mixology scene. Salonica Bar Show 2026, part of the Salonica Bar Week scheduled from March 29 to April 2, will reach its peak between Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, when Hall 12 of TIF–Helexpo hosts the main exhibition and brings together bar professionals from Greece and across Europe.
Salonica Bar Show 2026, Two Days Dedicated to the Industry
The Salonica Bar Show has grown rapidly and, since its launch two years ago, has strengthened its position within the Mediterranean bar industry. The 2026 edition is set to present itself as a trade event dedicated to bartending, premium spirits, coffee and contemporary hospitality, with professionals gathering to discuss working practices, new service models and the development of the sector.
As founder Babis Kaidalidis, the creator of the Thessaloniki bar show and other major industry events, explains: “2026 will be the year when the Salonica Bar Show clearly demonstrates its growth as the leading trade fair in the Balkans, laying the groundwork to become a must-attend event for the entire region.”
The two days of March 31 and April 1 will feature training stages, specialist seminars, tastings and case studies from European bars, alongside the presence of companies from across the industry. The program has been designed to connect education, products and the daily work behind the bar.
Among the educational highlights will be sessions curated by Bar Academy Greece, co-founded in 2007 by Kaidalidis himself. Throughout both days, a dedicated area focused on hospitality and spirits will host discussions and workshops aimed at both younger professionals and experienced bartenders, providing opportunities to explore industry topics, gain inspiration and strengthen networking.
Who is Babis Kaidalidis
Babis Kaidalidis is one of the most active figures in the Greek bar industry. Through Bar Academy Greece, he has contributed to the development of professional education in the sector and to the creation of a network of events that, over the years, has expanded dialogue among professionals across the Mediterranean.
His work also includes the launch of the Athens Bar Show in 2010 and the Mediterranean Bar Show in Cyprus, events that have helped strengthen Greece’s presence within the international calendar of mixology-focused gatherings.
The Opening Celebration of Salonica Bar Show
The 2026 edition will officially open with a special Opening Gala scheduled for March 30, hosted at the MonAsty Hotel, the event’s official hospitality partner. From 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, the evening will feature two guest bars: one from London, Spy Bar, and the other from Nicosia, Lost and Found.
Getting to the Show and Exploring Thessaloniki’s Bars
The opening night will be just the beginning of a full week of events across hotels, cocktail bars and venues throughout the city, as part of the Salonica Bar Week. With the message “Don’t Drink and Drive,” Freenow by Lyft, the event’s official mobility partner, will provide dedicated pick-up and drop-off points as well as a taxi service connected directly to the fair outside Hall 12.
Images courtesy of Salonica Bar Show
