Three venues, nine guest shifts, and a capital city continuing to cement its place on the contemporary cocktail map. From May 18 to 20, Lisbon Stars Connections returns, the format created by Emanuel Minez and Paulo Gomes that brings some of the most compelling names in international bartending behind the bars of Red Frog, 18.68 Cocktail Boutique, and Monkey Mash.
Lisbon Reaffirms Its Role in Portuguese Mixology
Lisbon continues to strengthen its position within the global cocktail bar circuit. International tourism, a growing openness to guest shifts, and a new generation of hospitality professionals have turned the Portuguese capital into an increasingly important destination for the industry. Lisbon Stars Connections is a clear reflection of that momentum, connecting guests, bartenders, industry insiders, and venues across three evenings dedicated to cocktail culture.
Red Frog and Portugal’s International Momentum
At the heart of the project are the minds behind Red Frog, whose speakeasy has played a defining role in bringing Portugal into the major international rankings. Founded by Emanuel Minez and Paulo Gomes, Red Frog remains the only Portuguese bar to have secured a place in The World’s 50 Best Bars, a milestone that drew global attention to Lisbon’s bar scene well beyond its tourism appeal.
What’s New at Lisbon Stars Connections
The 2026 edition retains the travelling format of previous years while expanding its international scope even further. Across three nights, bartenders from Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, and the United States will take over the bars, creating a line-up that spans different styles, schools of thought, and interpretations of the modern cocktail bar. A major opportunity both for hospitality professionals and for cocktail enthusiasts eager to experience the breadth of today’s global bar culture.
Three Nights of Guest Shifts and Cocktail Culture
The program begins on May 18. From 10:00 to 11:30 PM, Red Frog welcomes Borja Insa of Moonlight in Zaragoza, Spain. From 11:30 PM to 1:00 AM, Paulo Azevedo of Bacchanalia in Mayfair brings a touch of British cocktail elegance to Lisbon.
On May 19, the focus shifts to 18.68 Cocktail Boutique for an evening exploring different approaches and geographies within contemporary mixology. From 8:00 to 9:30 PM, Yadney Fernandes of Sterling in Manchester presents his creations. From 9:30 to 11:00 PM, Luca Papazzo, Dario Schiavoni, and Fabio Boccasile of Byit in Milan take over for a Cocktails & Bites session. Closing the night, from 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM, is Silvia Dorninger of Aldea in Barcelona.
The final night, May 20, unfolds at Monkey Mash, with two sessions designed to close the 2026 edition in style. From 10:00 PM to midnight, Kate Gerwin of Happy Accidents in New Mexico joins brand ambassador Mister G for a guest shift expected to bring serious energy. From midnight to 2:00 AM, Monkey Mash hosts Jakub Protiva and Pavel Sochor of Alma in Prague, alongside Leandro De Sousa and Sara De Sousa of Wabi Sabi in Paris.
Lisbon Keeps Growing
Guest shifts and bar collaborations have become part of the everyday language of the cocktail industry, yet events like Lisbon Stars Connections reveal something larger: the determination of international cities to secure a lasting place on the global hospitality map.
For three days, Lisbon becomes a network of shared bars, travelling techniques, and cocktails conceived as exchanges of knowledge. From May 18 to 20, the rest is in the hands of the city’s drink lovers.
