Ultimate Bartender Championship

Monkey Shoulder is a drinks brand associated with William Grant & Sons, the Scottish company behind the World’s Ultimate Bartender Championship (WUBC). The championship brings bartenders together to demonstrate the practical skills and knowledge involved in excellent bar service, with national and global titles at stake. Its 2026 competition is open to people who enjoy bartending, not only professional bartenders, and is being run across multiple regions.

WUBC features six challenges: an industry knowledge quiz, speed pouring, nosing, table service, preparing a Monkey Shoulder cocktail, and a final head-to-head cocktail-building contest. Competitors earn points across the first five challenges, with the four highest-scoring bartenders advancing to the final. Through the event, Monkey Shoulder highlights the range of abilities that contribute to successful bartending and invites participants to register and compete. The brand also provides information about the challenges, registration, contacts, and leaderboards. Its website emphasizes responsible drinking and restricts access to people who are of legal drinking age in their country.