Today, the bar functions as a magnifying lens on the industry, bringing into sharp focus people, languages, habits, expectations and ideas. It is along this trajectory that Bar Domani 2026, Entering the Future of Mixology Today, returns to Turin from May 8 to 11 for its second edition, hosted inside the bioclimatic greenhouse of Piano35. This year’s theme, Urban Nomadism, frames a program designed to read and interpret the work behind the counter as a precise indicator of what is shifting across hospitality and mixology.
Bad Domani 2026, Bartending as a Mirror of the Present
A bar holds together what the city disperses, transforming a constant flow of people and stories into a shared moment. Guided by this approach, Bar Domani 2026 turns Piano35 into a four-day observatory for the industry, where the language of the bar is unpacked through a series of conversations. It begins with a welcome lunch, running from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on May 10, where Piano35 unveils its new drink list, Principles of Emotional Geometry, setting the tone for the discussions that follow.
After exploring mentorship last year, the 2026 edition revolves around Urban Nomadism, placing the bartender at the center of the narrative. The first seminar, developed in collaboration with Coqtail – for fine drinkers, the event’s media partner, takes place on May 10 from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Titled Bartending as a Reflection of the World We Live In, it opens the conversation by positioning the bar as a space where social, economic and cultural dynamics converge. Technique and creativity share the stage with the less visible pressures of the job—speed, intensity, stress. Here, the bartender operates as an interpreter, observing, translating and anticipating the guest’s desires. The counter becomes a constant point of contact between differences, where each service demands adaptability and precision.
Italian Talent on the Move
The afternoon of May 10 continues with the talk Exodus: The Unusual Relationship Between Italy and Its Bar Professionals Abroad, scheduled from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The focus shifts to Italian bartenders building their careers overseas, where growth, exchange and recognition often take on a different scale. Outside Italy, the industry tends to offer broader opportunities and stronger investment in training. Despite its deep-rooted identity, the country still struggles to retain its professionals. At the heart of the discussion is the ability to transform this movement into a constructive exchange, creating meaningful connections between those who leave and those who remain.
Mobility and Globalization
On Monday, the conversation expands with new seminars. The theme Bartender Diaspora: Foreign Everywhere explores an increasingly widespread condition. Bartenders move across cities, languages and contexts, shaping identities that evolve over time. The bar becomes a place of observation and mediation. On May 11, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., Bar Domani gathers stories and perspectives from professionals working around the world.
The Digital Era and Training
The second seminar of the day, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., turns to Digital Awareness: Training in the Digital Age, shifting the focus to a more operational dimension. Digital tools now permeate every stage of the profession, from communication to management and data analysis. Training expands beyond technique, encompassing the ability to build a professional identity, interpret data and use channels strategically. At Bar Domani, the emphasis is on awareness and on mastering these tools to inform decisions and enhance the value of one’s work.
The Voices Behind Bar Domani 2026
The program brings together a wide range of industry figures contributing to each seminar. On the opening day, Andrea Fofi shares insights from his work with Roma Bar Show, while Arina Nikolskaya discusses project development through Shift Project. Shane Eaton offers a perspective on trends through Cocktail Pilgrim. Bar manager Alex Kharitonkina, who leads Kayo in Sri Lanka, and Arnaud Savard of Bar Bello in Montreal contribute operational viewpoints shaped by international experience, from team management to concept building and guest engagement. Representing Italy are bar managers Dario Schiavoni of ByIt in Milan and Andrea Pagliarini of Feat.
The second day broadens the international scope with Tess Mamakova, founder of Noble Roots, Mark Lloyd of Wing Lei Bar at Wynn Palace in Macao, and Jonathan Gabbay, head mixologist at Argo in the Four Seasons Hong Kong. Also joining are Lewis Hart, founder of Laowai in Vancouver, and Lorenzo Querci, owner of Moebius and Lubna in Milan, each representing distinct and successful project visions. Teams from Jeffer Pisa, R.E.M. Rome and Locale Florence complete the lineup.
Throughout the event, contributions from journalists and industry observers—including Federico Bellanca, Giacomo Iacobellis and Daniela Garcea—add further depth to the discussion.
Guest Shifts and Liquid Dialogues at Bar Domani 2026
Cocktails remain an integral part of the experience. On May 9, Alex Kharitonkina presents a curated selection of drinks created for the occasion. May 10, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Dario Schiavoni and Andrea Pagliarini take over the bar at Piano35, followed by a late-night welcome party where Arnaud Savard, Lewis Hart, Mark Lloyd, alongside teams from Kaiyo in Sri Lanka and Locale Florence, rotate behind the counter.
On May 11, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Argo from Hong Kong and Art Katowice from Poland lead the guest shift, while from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. R.E.M. Rome, represented by Riccardo Bucci and Lorenzo Falasca, is joined by the teams of Noble Roots Belgrade and Peaches and Cream Zagreb.
Across the four days, professionals take turns behind the bar at Piano35, each bringing their own approach to mixing, in continuous dialogue with the house style shaped by Simone Sacco, Ansony Murcia and resident chef Christian Balzo.
Photos by Mike Tamasco, courtesy Bar Domani – all rights reserved
