The Search to Find the World's Best Bartender, Beijing-Style

Starting today and finishing up tomorrow (April 19), d Lounge hosts the Beijing leg of the third annual Diageo Reserve World Class competition for bartenders here in Beijing.

The event, which runs from 9am-5.30pm both days, is free and open to the public, so you can go along and watch over 30 bartenders in action. Among those competing will be bartenders from Twilight, Maison Boulud, Mao Mao Chong, 2F and Mai.

The participants will compete in two rounds over the two days. In round one, they'll make a random pick from 12 classic cocktails taught in advance in a previous seminar: They must research, practice and implement their own understanding of the drink. In round two, the competitors create their own signature drink.

At the end of Thursday, the top five entrants will be selected to represent Beijing at the national contest in Shanghai, where the winner will represent China in the Bartender of the Year global final, to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Here's a video to give an idea of what this competition is about and where it will end up. We'll be sending someone to report back in case you're unable to attend.