Keegan McGregor at the World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024 competition in Shanghai.Supplied
Keegan McGregor leaned into his East Coast roots to win the World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024 competition in Shanghai, besting the efforts of competitors from 44 regions and six continents. The bar manager at Halifax’s Highwaymen Restaurant & Bar assumes the title from Jacob Martin, of Toronto’s Bar Banane, marking the first back-to-back winners from the same country at the world’s biggest cocktail competition.
For his final challenge, McGregor hosted a pop-up pub where he conducted his own version of a screech-in ceremony to welcome attendees and foster a sense of belonging.
“I debated for the longest time, do I get a frozen fish or a stuffed fish? I worried the frozen fish wouldn’t last, so this stuffed fish was passed along through this group of 100 people,” he says.
Sponsored by Diageo, whose portfolio includes brands such as Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Don Julio and Johnnie Walker, World Class was launched 15 years ago to promote key characteristics it takes to be a successful bartender, including craft, flavour analysis and knowledge. The judges’ evaluations are based on the quality of the cocktails as well as presentation and storytelling.
“Canada has four global winners now,” explained McGregor, who adds he went into the intensive three-day competition with a relaxed mindset, figuring he didn’t stand a chance. Vancouver’s Kaitlyn Stewart took the top prize in 2017, while Toronto’s James Grant won in 2021.
McGregor started bartending in Moncton, N.B., in 2009, seeing it as an effective way to make connections in the music scene and get bookings for his band. In the ensuing years, moves from New Brunswick to Newfoundland to Nova Scotia encouraged him to take a career in food and drink more seriously. He says getting into competitive bartending reminded him of performing on stage with his band.
He entered the World Class competition three times, reaching the national stage on his attempts in 2018 and 2021. “I saw this one as the last kick at the bucket,” he says.
The bartender of the year title comes with the chance to travel to different countries for brand education. McGregor also expects to play a role in judging different country’s competitions leading up to next year’s World Class competition in Toronto.
Hosting the international competition is going to be beneficial for all of Canada, he explains. “It’s this huge educational opportunity – having the chance to learn at seminars and pop-ups from those in attendance – as well as a chance to really showcase what we have. We have bars and restaurants on these 50 best, 100 best lists around the world. Hopefully this is a chance to get some additional venues that kind of large-scale recognition.”