The 2011 World’s 50 Best Bars list has been published, in partnership with sponsor Stolichnaya. This year, New York speakeasy PDT (Please Don’t Tell) took the top spot, with London hotel bars The Connaught and the Artesian in second and third place. 

Malta: The Maltese Bartenders’ Guild (MBG) has appointed a new president. Wine and spirits retailer Joseph Farrugia took the post in October.

Stella Artois has crowned its World Draught Master for 2011 following the final of the global competition in Buenos Aires.

Glasgow-based whisky brand Auchentoshan completed the UK leg of The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers two bartenders transatlantic internships.

Shaker BarSchools, the international bartender training company, has moved into bar operating with the opening of a bar in London.

Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.

Czech lager brand Pilsner Urquell has anointed Dubliner Fearghus McCormack as its International Master Bartender 2011.

Japanese whisky brand, Nikka, has named the second finalist of its international cocktail competition, The Nikka Perfect Serve.

French aperitif brand Lillet is looking for entries for its Twisted Vesper Cocktail Competition. 

Mikey Allan of The Raconteur, has triumphed at Broker’s Gin Cocktail Challenge in Edinburgh, beating off an all-Scottish field of bartenders.

UK: Glenfiddich has launched the 2011 Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition. The aim of the game is to find the “trade’s most passionate malt enthusiasts”.

Pernod Ricard brand Olmeca has announced a partnership with tequila ambassador and Mexican restaurant-bar owner Tomas Estes.

Funkin, the UK-based purée brand, has added a trade portal to its website to “enhance engagement” with bartenders.

Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.

Pernod Ricard, with its Olmeca tequila brand, has announced the winner of the Tahona Society Margarita contest.

The Restaurant and Bar Design Awards recognised "excellence" in design and architecture in the global hospitality industry yesterday, at a ceremony in Canary Wharf, London.

UK bartenders are invited to compete in the Monin Cup Cocktail Competition and the winner will represent the UK at the international finals next year.

Jamie MacDonald of The Raconteur in Edinburgh has been crowned the UK’s best bartender at the UK final of World Class 2011.

Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit is the realisation of Alex Kammerling’s 18-years behind a bar and is the product of five years of development.

G’Vine has announced the winner of its Gin Connoisseur competition. Gegam Ghazaryan of Xandom Bar in Alicante, Spain took the title after a week of challenges including blending gin, aroma exams and speed drink making.  The final took place in G’Vine’s home town of Cognac.

Stella Artois’ seven-month quest to find its “draught master” has begun with the launch of the Quality Draught Masters Programme.

The Xanté Company & Peter F Heering have announced the finalists of their Mad Men inspired cocktail competition, which will be part of Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC).

Drinks International has announced the category winners of the 18^th annual Cocktail Challenge.

Bacardi has launched True Originals, an online hub for bartenders globally.

Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.