Double Dutch expands female bartending scholarship for 2026

Fresh from a £4.5m investment and marking its 10th anniversary, Double Dutch has revamped its Female Bartending Scholarship for 2026 to support women across the UK bar and hospitality industry.

Double Dutch has relaunched its Female Bartending Scholarship for 2026, marking the sixth year of the initiative with an expanded model designed to increase access, broaden training and strengthen mentorship across the UK hospitality sector.

The announcement follows a busy period for the brand, which recently secured a £4.5m investment, celebrated its 10th anniversary and unveiled new bottle packaging.

Widened access and expanded training

The scholarship was launched in 2021 by Double Dutch co-founders Joyce and Raissa de Haas to support women working behind the bar and across the wider hospitality industry through education, mentorship and career development.

For 2026, the programme will introduce selected free educational content for all applicants for the first time, not just the final cohort. A total of 12 scholars will ultimately be chosen to take part in the full enhanced curriculum, which includes workshops, mentorship and industry access.

Applicants are asked to outline in roughly 250 words where they are in their careers and what they hope the scholarship will deliver for them. The programme continues to draw interest from across the UK hospitality trade, from newcomers to experienced bartenders seeking to move into leadership.

Raissa de Haas said: “We’re looking for women who are deeply passionate about drinks and hospitality, and who see bartending as more than just a job. Our ideal scholars are ambitious, curious, and driven – women who have a clear vision for their future and the confidence to pursue it.

Whether their ambition lies in bar ownership, brand leadership, education, product development, or shaping the wider hospitality culture, we want to support women who aspire to lead. This scholarship is about backing the next generation of female leaders in drinks and hospitality, and helping them turn talent and determination into long-term impact.”

Partnerships and mentorship network

Double Dutch has confirmed partnerships with leading venues and organisations, with sessions taking place at The Chancery Rosewood, Swingers West End and 58 & Co Distillery. Scholars will also gain access to what the brand says is its largest network of female industry leaders to date.

Joyce de Haas said: “It is essential to use our platform to open doors. Hospitality is powered by incredible women, but far too few reach senior leadership. We believe progress doesn’t happen by accident – you have to actively create pathways for those around you. The latest research we’ve seen says that Women make up 70% of the hospitality workforce, yet only 8% of the leadership positions. It’s time to change that. This is all about building community too, and one of the best parts about the scholarship is when the alumni all come together to support each other.”

Workshops across the programme will cover Drinks Education, Personal Brand & Confidence and Professional Development. Scholars will also join the growing alumni network, which includes freelance mixologists and team leaders from venues and brands such as Cubitt House, Don Papa, Mother Mercy and The Botanist.

The 2026 programme will be supported by mentors and educators from across the UK drinks and hospitality sector, including:

• Laura Willoughby MBE (Co-Founder, Club Soda)
• Liana Oster (Director of Bars, The Chancery Rosewood)
• Maura Milia (General Manager, Eagle Bar)
• Anna Sebastian (Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality & Celebrate Her)
• Carmen O’Neal (Founder, 58 & Co Distillery)
• Lorna MacPherson-Johnston (Food & Beverage Director, Cubitt House)
• Alexa Farrow (Brand Advocacy Manager, Hayman Distillers)
• Claudia Carrozzi (Bar Consultant & Educator, UKBG President)
• Lauren Mote (Global Director, Patrón & Bacardi)
• Noah Villeneuve (National Portfolio Ambassador, Kore Drinks)
• Mandy Naglich (Author, How to Taste)
• Wendy Hopkins (Director of Beverage UK & International, Hakkasan Group)
• Desirée Dils (Founder, Hospitality Masters)
• Tristan Darby (Brand Ambassador, Double Dutch)

Applications open

Applications are now open to women at all experience levels across the UK hospitality industry, from those starting out to established professionals looking to progress or move into leadership roles.

The deadline for submissions is 17 February 2026, with scholarship winners announced on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2026.

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