2026 Best Mixologist Award Winner – Samuel Page, Sexy Fish

Introducing Samuel Page, Head Bartender at Sexy Fish and winner of the 2026 Best Mixologist Award — recognised for his leadership, innovation and commitment to developing the next generation of bartending talent.

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally, and how does it inspire your next goals?

It’s difficult to put into words, but personally, the recognition and acknowledgement from my peers is invaluable. On a professional level, it’s great for both Sexy Fish and my own career. I truly believe that Sexy Fish is one of the best bars in the world and has the bar programme to match – and this award means that we’re pushing in all the right ways.

Can you share a defining moment or experience in your career that led you to where you are today and contributed to this recognition?

The day I was offered the Head Bartender role at Sexy Fish. My big career goal was always to be the Head Bartender of a globally renowned bar and cocktail institution. Without the mentorship, development and backing of the team at Sexy Fish, I would’ve achieved significantly less and this award wouldn’t have been possible.

How do you strive to make a meaningful impact in your field?

Training and development of the next generation. Winning individual awards or doing well in competitions is all well and good, but the feeling of satisfaction and euphoria you get from building a diverse and passionate team and watching the team grow and succeed is something else entirely.

What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to achieve similar success?

Work hard, try to learn as much as you can constantly, and always be pushing yourself to develop. Every person you meet can always teach you one thing, so take the time to listen and understand everyone around you. Learning requires mistakes and failure, so don’t get disheartened if it doesn’t happen in the timeframe you think it will – development isn’t linear and is different for every person.

What’s next for you in terms of your future goals, short and long-term?

Short-term, our Pinnacle Guide pin is up for renewal, so we need to focus on that application and try to see if we can push for two or even three pins. Also, Tales of the Cocktail: Spirited Awards, the “Best Spirit Selection” is a long-standing dream of everyone that has ever worked at Sexy Fish – but I also think this award makes it potentially possible to get a nomination for “Best Team”. We also have various competition finals coming up for the team, so we’ll be working hard to support each other and get the best results possible. Long-term, the goal is always the same: to continue to develop, grow, and improve. I think I still have a lot to learn in all areas.