On Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the city of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, will host the fourth edition of the Mirror Hospitality Expo. Several key elements return, starting with the central role played by the acclaimed Mirror Bar, while an important new development arrives through the Bartender’s Choice Awards.
Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026
As the name suggests, Mirror Hospitality Expo was founded in 2023 on the initiative of two pillars of Bratislava’s Mirror Bar: Stanislav Harciník and Peter Marcina — respectively Bar Ambassador and Bar Manager of the venue located inside the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel — together with Adrián Chrzan.
Their declared aim is to elevate cocktail culture in Slovakia and across Central Europe by fostering connections between local bartenders and international professionals, while also offering guests an opportunity to deepen their understanding of drinks. That ambition has steadily taken shape over the years and has been reinforced by the standing of Mirror Bar itself, which in 2025 secured the No. 25 position on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
The main event, the Expo, will take place on May 4 and 5, accompanied by a citywide program: Mirror Cocktail Week, running from Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, 2026. During those days, many of Bratislava’s leading bars will host an extensive schedule of pop-ups and guest shifts.
Who Will Attend Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026
Across the two days of Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026, around thirty bartenders representing an equal number of internationally recognized venues will take part.
Among them: Adrian Michalčík (About Contrasts, Oslo), Philip Bischoff (BKK Social Club, Bangkok), Hampus Thunholm (Stockholm), Lukas Kaufmann (28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore), Katalin Bene (Blend&Bond, Geneva), Hyacinthe Lescoet (The Cambridge Public House, Paris), Minakshi Singh (Sidecar, Delhi), Agung and Laura Prabowo (Penicillin, Hong Kong), and Eddie Rudzinskas (Cocktails For You, Ireland).
What Happens at the Event
Remaining faithful to its goal of cultivating bar culture, Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026 will feature a rich program of masterclasses, seminars, panel discussions and tastings led by internationally respected figures in the industry.
The event will also include the Market, an area where Slovak and international brands will present their products and connect with professionals and enthusiasts. Food will play an important role as well, with a dedicated space highlighting some of the most compelling representatives of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary in the fields of traditional cuisine and street food.
The Debut of the Bartender’s Choice Awards
The most significant novelty of Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026 will arrive during the closing ceremony on May 6, when the Bartender’s Choice Awards (BCA) for Central and Eastern Europe will be officially launched.
Founded in Stockholm in 2010, the BCA are awards decided by professionals within the bar industry itself, a structure that has given them particular credibility as a recognition bestowed by peers and rooted in professional excellence. Initially focused solely on Sweden, the awards later expanded to include all Nordic countries and eventually the French bar scene.
During the event they will debut a new section dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe, specifically covering Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Serbia and Croatia.
Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026
Where: Bratislava, at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel
When: May 4–5, 2026 (with Mirror Cocktail Week running from May 3 to 7)
Official Website: https://www.mirrorhospitalityexpo.com/
Images courtesy of Mirror Bar
