Louisville Bartender Competes in World Championship

Local bar lead SC Baker is representing the United States at the International Bartenders Association event in Macau.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cocktails

Bold vector editorial illustration of a crystal mixing glass and bar spoon, representing the artistry of world-class cocktail craft. — Louisville bartender SC Baker is representing the United States at the International Bartenders Association World Cocktail Championship in Macau, China. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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SC Baker, the bar lead at Epiphany, is competing at the International Bartenders Association World Cocktail Championship in Macau, China. Baker secured the spot after winning the United States Bartenders Guild United States Cocktail Championships in July 2026.

Why it matters

This competition marks a significant achievement for a Louisville-based bartender who has spent a decade honing the craft locally. Baker's participation showcases the high caliber of mixology talent currently emerging from Kentucky's bar scene.

The International Bartenders Association includes 70 member countries and spans a five-day duration. Baker brings 10 years of experience tending bar in Louisville to the global stage.

The players

SC Baker

SC Baker is the bar lead at Epiphany who has worked in the Louisville hospitality industry for 10 years.

United States Bartenders Guild

The United States Bartenders Guild is the national organization that oversees cocktail championships and professional standards for bartenders.

The details

Baker, who joined the 1525 Highland Ave. bar Epiphany in 2023, also won the 2026 Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Competition and reached the national finals of SpeedRack this year. The national path to the global stage involved competing through five regional qualifiers held in Dallas, West Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Portland, and Louisville.

2024: The USBG Kentucky Chapter won Chapter of the Year.
July 2026: SC Baker won the United States Cocktail Championships.
October 19-24, 2026: The World Cocktail Championship takes place in Macau, China.
October 23, 2026: The World Cocktail Championship awards ceremony is scheduled.

Culture Shift

This achievement follows the pattern of excellence set by the regional organization when it earned the USBG Kentucky Chapter of the Year award in 2024. The success reflects a broader trend of Louisville's growing influence within the national and international mixology community.

Patrons of Epiphany on Highland Ave. can experience the award-winning mixology style that earned Baker a national title. For those interested in the craft, the win highlights the high standards maintained by local cocktail bars in the city.

The takeaway

Supporting local award-winning bars offers a direct way to experience the high-level techniques being showcased on the global stage. Watching competition-level craft can inspire home bartenders to explore new flavor profiles and technical skills in their own kitchens.