Hospitality awards

The Pontiac bar in Hong Kong
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 Revealed: 51-100

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 Revealed: 51 to 100

by David Klemt

The Pontiac bar in Hong Kong

The Pontiac bar in Hong Kong, an inclusive, welcoming venue with an all-woman team.

One week from the ceremony revealing bars one through 50 of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, the World’s 50 Best Bars announces venues 51 to 100.

Sponsored by Perrier, the World’s 50 Best Bars will announce the top 50 bars in Asia on Tuesday, July 18. This year’s ceremony will take place in Hong Kong at 20:25 local time.

However, we now know which bars have earned placement on the back half of this year’s list. As Mark Sansom, director of content for the World’s 50 Best points out on episode 82 of Bar Hacks, an expansion for their lists is necessary. There are simply too many outstanding operators and teams to not honor an additional 50 venues.

To that end, the list below represents the third edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, 51 to 100. In my opinion, and I think the World’s 50 Best and bar professionals across the world agree, this list is every bit as prestigious as one through 50. Let’s not downplay the fact that these are 50 of the best bars in all of Asia. It’s no small feat to earn a spot on this list.

If you’re interested in finding more amazing venues throughout Asia (and around the world), click here to learn about the World’s 50 Best Discovery tool.

By the Numbers

As you’ll see below, Singapore dominates this year’s 51 to 100 list with eight bars. I expect Singapore pick up even more spots next week.

Japan boasts seven bars on the list, with Osaka, Okinawa, and Kumamoto making debuts. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India each have claim five slots. Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are also well represented with four bars each.

Vietnam and China each have three bars among this year’s 51 to 100. Two bars in Seoul, South Korea, earned placement as well.

However, it’s Kathmandu, Nepal, with two bars that stands out the most to me. Numbers 100 and 70 belong to Kathmandu, and are both new to the list.

To review the list on the World’s 50 Best website, please click here.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars: 100 to 51

  1. Barc (Kathmandu, Nepal)
  2. Loft (Bangkok, Thailand)
  3. Honky Tonks Tavern (Hong Kong)
  4. Tell Camellia (Hong Kong)
  5. Enigma (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
  6. Origin Grill & Bar (Singapore)
  7. PCO (New Delhi, India)
  8. Bar Mood (Taipei, Taiwan)
  9. Bar Trench (Tokyo, Japan)
  10. Aha Saloon (Taipei, Taiwan)
  11. Union Trading Company (Shanghai, China)
  12. The Wise King (Hong Kong)
  13. The Sailing Bar (Nara, Japan)
  14. The Odd Couple (Shanghai, China)
  15. Mizunara: The Library (Hong Kong)
  16. The Haflington (Hanoi, Vietnam)
  17. Yakoboku (Kumamoto, Japan)
  18. D.Bespoke (Singapore)
  19. Bar Rocking Chair (Kyoto, Japan)
  20. El Lequio (Okinawa, Japan)
  21. Offtrack (Singapore)
  22. #FindTheLockerRoom (Bangkok, Thailand)
  23. Three X Co (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  24. Wishbone Bar (Semarang, Indonesia)
  25. The Back Room (Manila, Philippines)
  26. No Sleep Club (Singapore)
  27. Nighthawk (Singapore)
  28. Pine & Co (Seoul, South Korea)
  29. Moonrock (Tainan, Taiwan)
  30. Epic (Shanghai, China)
  31. Bitters & Co. (Kathmandu, Nepal)
  32. Asia Today (Bangkok, Thailand)
  33. Coley (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  34. Hideaway (Goa, India)
  35. Reka (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  36. The Elephant Room (Singapore)
  37. Tippling Club (Singapore)
  38. Craftroom (Osaka, Japan)
  39. Last Word (Singapore)
  40. Hoots’ (New Delhi, India)
  41. Opium (Bangkok, Thailand)
  42. Home (New Delhi, India)
  43. Americano (Mumbai, India)
  44. Gold Bar (Tokyo, Japan)
  45. Junglebird (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  46. Room by Le Kief (Taipei, Taiwan)
  47. The Pontiac (Hong Kong)
  48. To Infinity and Beyond (Taipei, Taiwan)
  49. Charles H (Seoul, South Korea)

Be sure to log into the live stream to watch the one through 50 announcement live.

Congratulations to each of the operators and bar teams above! Cheers!

Image courtesy of the World’s 50 Best Bars

KRG Hospitality. Bar Consultant. Nightclub. Lounge. Mixology. Cocktails.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 Awards group shot
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

’23 World’s 50 Best Restaurants: 51 to 100

2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants: 51 to 100

by David Klemt

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 Awards group shot

Last week we checked out the top 50 restaurants around the world, and today we’re taking a look at those ranked 51 to 100.

Narrowing down the 50 best restaurants in the world is a harrowing task. So it makes sense that the World’s 50 Best Restaurants expanded the list to the best 100. Even that, however, must be daunting.

France performed particularly well on the 100 to 51 list this year, clinching six spots. Four of those, unsurprisingly, are located in Paris.

The US, Bangkok, and Spain each have four restaurants on the list. For the US, two restaurants make the rankings in both California and New York.

Operators in Japan earn three spots, with two restaurants in Tokyo and one in Osaka. London also achieves three places on this list.

A number of countries, regions, and cities have two restaurants on the 2023 100 to 51 list: Cape Town, Denmark, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Mexico.

Again, like to 50 to 1, Canada and Australia don’t have restaurants ranked anywhere on the 51 through 100 list.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023: 100 to 51

  1. Maito (Panama City, Panama)
  2. Fu He Hui (Shanghai, China)
  3. Saison (San Francisco, California, United States of America)
  4. Labyrinth (Singapore)
  5. Ricard Camarena Restaurant (Valencia, Spain)
  6. Ceto (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France)
  7. La Colombe (Cape Town, South Africa)
  8. Kei (Paris, France)
  9. Neighborhood (Hong Kong)
  10. Kadeau (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  11. Wing (Hong Kong)
  12. Mingles (Seoul, South Korea)
  13. Potong (Bangkok, Thailand)
  14. Ossiano (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
  15. Lyle’s (London, England, United Kingdom)
  16. Enrico Bartolini (Milan, Italy)
  17. Meta (Singapore)
  18. Sazenka (Tokyo, Japan)
  19. Enigma (Barcelona, Spain)
  20. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Bizkaia, Spain)
  21. Flocons de Sel (Megève, France)
  22. Nuema (Quito, Ecuador)
  23. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris, France)
  24. Tantris (Munich, Germany)
  25. Oteque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
  26. Fyn (Cape Town, South Africa)
  27. Nusara (Bangkok, Thailand)
  28. Cosme (New York City, New York, United States of America)
  29. Sühring (Bangkok, Thailand)
  30. Core by Clare Smyth (London, England, United Kingdom)
  31. Sud 777 (Mexico City, Mexico)
  32. Zén (Singapore)
  33. SingleThread (Healdsburg, California, United States of America)
  34. Le Clarence (Paris, France)
  35. Turk Fatih Tutak (Istanbul, Türkiye)
  36. Burnt Ends (Singapore)
  37. Aponiente (El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain)
  38. Neolokal (Istanbul, Türkiye)
  39. Arpège (Paris, France)
  40. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare (New York City, New York, United States of America)
  41. La Cime (Osaka, Japan)
  42. Mérito (Lima, Perú)
  43. Lasai (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
  44. Jordnær (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  45. Sorn (Bangkok, Thailand)
  46. Ernst (Berlin, Germany)
  47. Alcalde (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
  48. Brat (London, England, United Kingdom)
  49. Hof van Cleve (Kruishoutem, Belgium)
  50. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

Last Year’s 100 to 51 List

A number of restaurants from the 2022 World’s Best Restaurants, 100 to 51 are also on this year’s list.

Flocons de Sel, located in Megève, France, likely made the greatest gains. In 2022, the restaurant was ranked number 99. This year, Flocons de Sel earned the number 80 spot.

A few restaurants made humble but notable steps in the right direction. As an example, New York’s Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare climbed from 63 to 61. And Ernst, located in Berlin, went from number 62 in 2022 to 55 this year.

Unfortunately, Sud 777 in Mexico City tumbled in 2023. Last year, the venue reached the number 52 spot. This year, however, it’s number 70. That said, it’s the number 70 restaurant in the world. Nothing to be ashamed of, and I won’t be surprised to see the Sud 777 team drive the restaurant back toward the 50s or better in 2024.

To review the 100 to 51 list from 2022, please click here.

Cheers to these 50 top-performing restaurants!

Image: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

KRG Hospitality. Restaurant Business Plan. Feasibility Study. Concept. Branding. Consultant. Start-Up.

The Matrix-style green, vertical characters on computer screen
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

AI Guesses 2023 Spirited Award Winners

AI Guesses 2023 Spirited Award Winners

by David Klemt

The Matrix-style green, vertical characters on computer screen

Ahead of the 17th annual Spirited Awards ceremony I asked a chatbot called Chat AI to guess the winner in each award category.

Before we get into the chatbot’s guesses, this is solely for entertainment. I’m not a programmer or engineer. I don’t pretend to know how to work with and get the most out of artificial intelligence. I thought this would be a bit of good fun.

In fact, I asked a very simple question, followed by the awards and nominees of each main category: “Can you guess the winner of each category below?”

That’s it—very simple. But, hey, if any of the guesses turn out to be accurate, that’s pretty cool. It will mean that Canada, New York, San Francisco, and Singapore are going to do well this year.

Another note: I couldn’t use ChatGPT, Bing AI, or Google Bard for this little project. It took some doing to find a chatbot that would tackle making award predictions.

Ultimately, it was AI Chat from DeepAI that made the guesses. It did so quickly and without hesitation.

Now, I can’t say that I know what criteria DeepAI AI Chat used to make its guesses. I have no idea if it crawled reviews and articles in a split second. Nor can I say that Chat AI did anything but apply random selection generation (that sounded techy, didn’t it?).

Again, this is really just for fun, so I’m not overly bothered by AI Chat’s methodology. The platform is not, to the best of my knowledge, affiliated in any way with Tales of the Cocktail or their judges. In fact, I didn’t even mention Tales of the Cocktail Foundation or the Spirited Awards when “conversing” with Chat AI.

US Categories

US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard USA

Masahiro Urushido, Katana Kitten (New York, New York)

Best US Bar Mentor presented BarSmarts

Nectaly Mendoza

Best US Brand Ambassador presented Libbey

Vance Henderson (Hendrick’s Gin)

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

Service Bar (Washington, DC)

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel (New York, New York)

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo

Kumiko (Chicago, IL)

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland (Portland, Oregon)

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by The Busker

Giorgio Bargiani, Connaught Bar (London, England, United Kingdom)

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Agostino Perrone

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Daniyel Jones (House of Angostura)

Best International Bar Team presented by Angostura Caribbean Rum

Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patr​​ón Tequila

Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Analogue Initiative (Singapore)

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Night Hawk (Singapore)

Global Categories

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

PATRÓN El Alto Tequila

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland)

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Baba Au Rum (Athens, Greece)

Writing & Media Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Difford’s Guide

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

The Speakeasy Podcast

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

“The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Modern Classic Cocktails by Robert Simonson

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

A SENSE OF PLACE: A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky by Dave Broom

Image: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

KRG Hospitality tech stack consulting. Tech. Technology. CRM. POS. Restaurant. Bar. Cafe. Lounge. Hotel. Resort.

Cocktail with orange peel garnish resting on glossy white bar top
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Tales Reveals Top 4 Awards Finalists

Tales Reveals Top 4 2023 Spirited Awards Finalists

by David Klemt

Cocktail with orange peel garnish resting on glossy white bar top

We’re one month away from the 17th annual Spirited Awards ceremony and the top four nominees in each category have been revealed.

Over the course of the past few months, the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation have been hard at work to narrow the field. They first announced this year’s honorees. Not long ago, they announced the top ten nominees.

Now, we know the top four nominees in the running for each of the Spirited Awards. You can check them out below, with each award organized into one of four main categories: US, International, Global, and Writing & Media.

Congrats to the finalists! We’ll know the winners in just a month.

Cheers!

US Categories

US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard USA

  • Caer Maiko Ferguson, DrinkWell / Daijoubu (Austin, Texas)
  • Kapri Robinson, Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Masahiro Urushido, Katana Kitten (New York, New York)
  • Christine Wiseman, Marygold’s Brasserie / Broken Shaker (Miami, Florida)

Best US Bar Mentor presented BarSmarts

  • Anu Apte
  • Colin Asare-Appiah
  • Nectaly Mendoza
  • Chris Patino

Best US Brand Ambassador presented Libbey

  • Kiowa Bryan (Spiribam)
  • Chris Cabrera (Bacardi USA)
  • Cameron George (Ardbeg Single Malts)
  • Vance Henderson (Hendrick’s Gin)

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

  • Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
  • Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
  • Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

  • Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Overstory (New York, New York)
  • Service Bar (Washington, DC)

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

  • Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel (New York, New York)
  • Hey Love at The Jupiter (Portland, Oregon)
  • Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Phoenix, Arizona)

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo

  • Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  • Cleaver Butchered Meats & Seafood (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Palomar (Portland, Oregon)

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • Chez Zou (New York, New York)
  • Martiny’s (New York, New York)
  • Milady’s (New York, New York)
  • Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland (Portland, Oregon)

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by The Busker

  • Gina Barbachano, Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Giorgio Bargiani, Connaught Bar (London, England, United Kingdom)
  • Daniel Schofield, SCHOFIELD’S BAR (Manchester, England, United Kingdom)
  • Luke Whearty, BYRDI (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Simone Caporale
  • Danil Nevsky
  • Agostino Perrone
  • Christina Veira

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Caitlin Hill (Rémy Cointreau)
  • Daniyel Jones (House of Angostura)
  • Dave Mitton (Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s)
  • Nicola Riske (The Macallan)

Best International Bar Team presented by Angostura Caribbean Rum

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
  • Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel (Singapore)
  • Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patr​​ón Tequila

  • 🔶🟥🔵 (London, UK)
  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
  • SIPS (Barcelona, Spain)

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

  • ARGO at the Four Seasons (Hong Kong)
  • BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand)
  • Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
  • Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel (Singapore)

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Analogue Initiative (Singapore)
  • ARCA Restaurant & Bar (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  • Bar Kismet (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
  • Danico (Paris, France)

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • Last Word (Singapore)
  • Line Athens (Athens, Greece)
  • Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Bangkok, Thailand)
  • Night Hawk (Singapore)

Global Categories

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

  • Martini & Rossi Floreale Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
  • PATRÓN El Alto Tequila
  • Saint Benevolence Aged Rum Clairin
  • The Fords Gin Co. Sloe Gin

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland)

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Baba Au Rum (Athens, Greece)
  • In Situ Mezcalería (Oaxaca, Mexico)
  • Raised by Wolves (San Diego, California)
  • Swift Soho (London, England, United Kingdom)

Writing & Media Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • CLASS Magazine
  • Difford’s Guide
  • Punch
  • The Cocktail Lovers Magazine

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Black and Brown Podcast
  • Radio Imbibe
  • Shōshin Art Club
  • The Speakeasy Podcast

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • “The Drinks Industry Has an Ageism Problem” by Betsy Andrews, for SevenFifty Daily
  • “The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
  • “The Secrets to the Best Dry Martini You’ll Ever Have” by David Wondrich, for The Daily Beast
  • “This Is What Decolonizing a Spirit Looks Like” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails with 60 Recipes by Derek Brown
  • Modern Classic Cocktails by Robert Simonson
  • The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
  • The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails – Elevated and Expanded, edited by Steven Reddicliffe

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • A SENSE OF PLACE: A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky by Dave Broom
  • Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails by Camper English
  • Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
  • Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Image: cottonbro studio on Pexels

KRG Hospitality. Bar Consultant. Nightclub. Lounge. Mixology. Cocktails.

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The 50 Best Bars in North America

The 50 Best Bars in North America in 2023

by David Klemt

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior

Double Chicken Please in New York City is number one on this year’s list.

The buildup toward this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars is growing with the recent announcement of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

Mexico City, the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars host city, is home to several of this year’s rankings. A true cocktail destination loaded with extraordinary bars, Mexico City boasts eight entries. Overall, 14 of the 50 bars on the 2023 list are in Mexico.

Of course, New York City also claims an impressive number of bars earning spots on the list. In fact, NYC boasts 12 of the 50 best bars in North America. More than half of the bars—28—are in the US.

Not that anyone asked, two of the bars on the 2023 list are in the city where I was born, Chicago: Kumiko and Milk Room. And I’m going to give a special nod to Herbs & Rye, number 27 and located in my hometown of Las Vegas (and the US headquarters of KRG Hospitality).

Herbs & Rye cocktail bar and restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada

Of the 50 best bars in North America, Canada is home to seven. Four of these are in Toronto (where KRG Hospitality’s global headquarters are located), two are in Montreal, and one is in Vancouver.

Just one bar in the Caribbean makes the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars list. But what a bar: La Factoría is number 24.

Below you’ll find this year’s rankings; destination awards; and individual awards. Speaking of, congratulations to Julio Cabrera and Christine Wiseman! You’ll see why as you scroll. To review last year’s list, please click here.

Congratulations to all the bars and their bar teams representing the best of North America in 2023!

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Destination Award Winners

The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier

Double Chicken Please (No. 1; New York City, New York)

The Best Bar in South USA, sponsored by Torres Brandy

Jewel of the South (No. 5; New Orleans, Louisiana)

The Best Bar in the Midwest USA, sponsored by Rémy Martin

Kumiko (No. 8; Chicago, Illinois)

The Best Bar in the West USA, sponsored by Naked Malt

Thunderbolt (No. 10; Los Angeles, California)

The Best Bar in the Caribbean, sponsored by Scrappy’s Bitters

La Factoría (No. 24; San Juan, Puerto Rico)

The Best Bar in Canada, sponsored by Tia Maria

Civil Liberties (No. 12; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

The Best Bar in Mexico, sponsored by Bareksten

Handshake Speakeasy (No. 2; Mexico City, Mexico)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars

  1. Milady’s (New York City, New York)
  2. Youngblood (San Diego, California)
  3. Platform 18 (Phoenix, Arizona)
  4. Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  5. Clover Club (New York City, New York)
  6. Allegory (Washington, DC)
  7. The Dead Rabbit (New York City, New York)
  8. Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  9. Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)
  10. Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu, Hawaii)
  11. Aruba Day Drink (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)
  12. Maison Premiere (New York City, New York)
  13. Milk Room (Chicago, Illinois)
  14. Mother (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  15. Cure (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  16. Cloakroom (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  17. Sweet Liberty (Miami, Florida)
  18. Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  19. Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  20. Selva (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  21. Death & Co. (Los Angeles, California)
  22. Martiny’s (New York City, New York)
  23. Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  24. Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  25. Kaito del Valle (Mexico City, Mexico)
  26. Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  27. La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  28. Arca (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  29. Sabina Sabe (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  30. El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
  31. Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  32. Botanist Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
  33. Mace (New York City, New York)
  34. Rayo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  35. Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  36. Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  37. Employees Only (New York City, New York)
  38. Attaboy (New York City, New York)
  39. Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  40. Zapote Bar (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  41. Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
  42. Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  43. Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  44. Overstory (New York City, New York)
  45. Dante (New York City, New York)
  46. Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  47. Licorería Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico)
  48. Katana Kitten (New York City, New York)
  49. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  50. Double Chicken Please (New York City, New York)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Individual Awards

Roku Industry Icon Award 2023

Julio Cabrera (No. 9; Café La Trova; Miami, Florida)

Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award 2023

Christine Wiseman (Bar Lab Hospitality)

Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2023

Botanist Bar (No. 19; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2023

Allegory (No. 45; Washington, DC)

Disarronno Highest New Entry Award 2023

Bar Pompette (No. 15; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Nikka Highest Climber Award 2023

Overstory (No. 7; New York City, New York)

Campari One to Watch Award 2023

Manhatta (New York City, New York)

London Essence Best New Opening Award 2023

Rayo (No. 17; Mexico City, Mexico)

Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2023

Yacht Club (No. 42; Denver, Colorado)

Double Chicken Please image: Emmanuel Rosario / Hanna Lee Communications. Herbs & Rye image courtesy of Hanna Lee Communications.

KRG Hospitality. Bar Consultant. Nightclub. Lounge. Mixology. Cocktails.

Neon sign in red that reads "Cocktails"
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

TOTCF Names 2023 Spirited Award Honorees

TOTCF Names 2023 Spirited Award Honorees

by David Klemt

Neon sign in red that reads "Cocktails"

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has announced the 17th annual Spirited Awards honorees, organized into several regions.

Unless otherwise noted, each award category recognizes ten honorees. Categories include best cocktail bar, best restaurant bar, best hotel bar, best new bar, and best bar team.

Additionally, I have to say that I’m impressed by how the TOTCF further recognized several global regions. There’s the United States, of course, separated into three regions of its own. Then there’s Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Middle East and Africa.

I’m focusing on three specific regions for this article: the US, Canada, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This decision comes from that fact those are KRG Hospitality’s three main areas of operation. But don’t worry, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and Africa: we’re coming for you, too.

To review the list in its entirety, please click here.

Unsurprisingly, Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas (our US headquarters), Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington, DC are well represented. However, it’s refreshing to see other markets recognized, such as Portland, Maine, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Montreal, Toronto (our Canadian headquarters), Vancouver do Canada proud, of course.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees! Cheers!

Best US Cocktail Bar: US Central

  • Bordel (Chicago, Illinois)
  • DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
  • Estereo (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Julep (Houston, Texas)
  • Kiesling (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Manolito (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
  • Sparrow (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Sportsman’s Club (Chicago, Illinois)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, Texas)

Best US Cocktail Bar: US East

  • Bar Goto (New York, New York)
  • barmini by José Andrés (Washington, DC)
  • Dear Irving Gramercy (New York, New York)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Old Glory (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Overstory (New York, New York)
  • Pearl Diver (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Portland Hunt + Alpine Club (Portland, Maine)
  • Serenata (Washington, DC)
  • Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  • Sunken Harbor Club (Brooklyn, New York)

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: US West

  • Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Foreign National (Seattle, Washington)
  • Navy Strength (Seattle, Washington)
  • Raised by Wolves (San Diego, California)
  • Rum Club (Portland, Oregon)
  • Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
  • Trick Dog (San Francisco, California)
  • True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
  • Wildhawk (San Francisco, California)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US Central

  • Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Bakery Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Lengua Madre (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Maple and Ash (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Margot’s (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Mister Mao (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Monteverde (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Spoon and Stable (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • The Hope Farm (Fairhope, Alabama)
  • The Lounge at MARCH (Houston, Texas)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US East

  • Blossom Bar (Brookline, Massachusetts)
  • Bresca (Washington, DC)
  • Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  • COTE Korean Steakhouse (New York, New York)
  • Crown Shy (New York, New York)
  • Gramercy Tavern (New York, New York)
  • Jaguar Sun (Miami, Florida)
  • Macchialina (Miami, Florida)
  • Manhatta (New York, New York)
  • The Grey (Savannah, Georgia)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US West

  • Accomplice Bar (Los Angeles, California)
  • Bar Agricole (San Francisco, California)
  • Bicyclette (Los Angeles, California)
  • Cleaver: Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • L’Oursin (Seattle, Washington)
  • Lolo (San Francisco, California)
  • Palomar (Portland, Oregon)
  • Redbird (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Valentine (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Viridian (Oakland, California)

Best US Hotel Bar: US Central

  • Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Catbird at the Thompson Hotel (Dallas, Texas)
  • Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Lazy Bird at The Hoxton (Chicago, Illinois)
  • loa at the International House (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Midnight Rambler at The Joule (Dallas, Texas)
  • The Bar at Hotel Zachary (Chicago, Illinois)
  • The Elysian Bar at the Hotel Peter and Paul (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Vol. 39 at The Kimpton Gray Hotel (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Hotel Bar: US East

  • Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami (Miami, Florida)
  • Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel (New York, New York)
  • El Quijote at Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
  • Minibar at The Meridian Hotel (Miami, Florida)
  • Orilla Bar & Grill at the Urbanica the Euclid Hotel (Miami Beach, Florida)
  • Panorama Room at Graduate Hotel Roosevelt Island (New York, New York)
  • Raines Law Room at the William (New York, New York)
  • White Limozeen at The Graduate (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Zou Zou’s at the Pendry Manhattan West (New York, New York)

Best US Hotel Bar: US West

  • Anasazi Bar and Lounge at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
  • ARDOR at The West Hollywood EDITION (West Hollywood, California)
  • Del Rey at Villa Royale (Palm Springs, California)
  • Hey Love at The Jupiter (Portland, Oregon)
  • Legacy Club at Circa (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Mountaineering Club at the Graduate Seattle Hotel (Seattle, Washington)
  • Overlook Lounge, Aperitifs & Spirits at the Wynn (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Ski Lodge at The Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US Central

  • Adiós Bar (Birmingham, Alabama)
  • Bandista at the Four Seasons (Houston, Texas)
  • Dovetail Bar at the Schaeffer Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • EZ’s Liquor Lounge (Houston, Texas)
  • In Plain Sight (Austin, Texas)
  • Nine Bar (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Penny Drip (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
  • Refuge (Houston, Texas)
  • The Elm (Bloomington, Indiana)
  • The Meadowlark (Chicago, Illinois)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US East

  • Amazonia (Washington DC)
  • Chez Zou (New York, New York)
  • Church (Baltimore, Maryland)
  • Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
  • Martiny’s (New York, New York)
  • Marygold’s Brasserie at the Arlo Wynwood (Miami, Florida)
  • Milady’s (New York, New York)
  • Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad (New York, New York)
  • Swan Room at Nine Orchard (New York, New York)
  • The Danforth (Portland, Maine)
  • The Gibson Room (Miami, Florida)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US West

  • Baby Gee (Long Beach, California)
  • Capri Club (Los Angeles, California)
  • Dalva (San Francisco, California)
  • For The Record (San Francisco, California)
  • Here Today Brewery & Kitchen (Seattle, Washington)
  • Khla (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Pacific Standard + The Sunset Room at the KEX Portland (Portland, Oregon)
  • The Butterscotch Den (Sacramento, California)
  • The Let’s Go Disco and Cocktail Club (Los Angeles, California)
  • UnderTow (Gilbert, Arizona)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Canada

  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec)
  • Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Cry Baby Gallery (Toronto, Ontario)
  • El Pequeño Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • Milky Way Cocktail Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • Mother Cocktail Bar (Toronto, Ontario)
  • The Cloakroom Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Chintoneria (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • El Barón Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Mexico)
  • Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Las Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Pocket (San Jose, Costa Rica)
  • Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Canada

  • Aloette (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Bar Kismet (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Highwayman Restaurant & Bar (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Honō Izakaya (Québec City, Québec)
  • Kissa Tanto (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Le Majestique (Montreal, Québec)
  • Le Swan French Diner (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • The Ostrich Club (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Wind Cries Mary (Victoria, British Columbia)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ARCA Tulum (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Aruba Day Drinking Bar (Tijuana, Mexico)
  • Casa Prunes (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • COCHINCHINA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • Huset Cocina de Campo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Lady Bee (Lima, Peru)
  • La Sala de Laura (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • Mesa Franca (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • SubAstor (São Paolo, Brazil)
  • Tan Tan (São Paolo, Brazil)

Best International Hotel Bar: Canada

  • 1927 Lobby Lounge at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Bar Artéfact at Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel (Québec City, Québec)
  • Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Clive’s Classic Lounge at the Chateau Victoria Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)
  • Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Lobby Lounge and RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Marcus Restaurant + Terrace at the Four Seasons Hotel (Montreal, Québec)
  • Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, Alberta)
  • The Courtney Room at the Magnolia Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)

Best International Hotel Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • BEKEB at the Hotel Casa Hoyos (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)
  • Celajes Lounge Bar at Hotel Belmar (Monteverde, Costa Rica)
  • Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Hotel B Relais & Châteaux (Lima, Peru)
  • Mi Amor Bar at the Mi Amor Hotel (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Mezcaleria Gota Gorda at the Boutique Hotel Soiree (Playa Zipolite, Mexico)
  • Mulberry Project at La Zebra Hotel (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Nobu at the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
  • Rum Room at Rosewood Little Dix Bay (British Virgin Islands)
  • Zapote Bar at the Rosewood Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Canada*

  • Bagheera (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Bar Banane (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Friendlies Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provision (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Sidecar (Ottawa, Ontario)
  • Simpl Things (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Stolen Goods (Ottawa, Ontario)
  • The Stock Room (Vancouver, British Columbia)
*8 nominees due to the number of nominations received.

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • CATA Agave Bar (Tamarindo, Costa Rica)
  • Comeré (Oaxaca, Mexico)
  • Door No.4 (Georgetown, Cayman Islands)
  • Jardín Tragos y Pasteles (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • Juliana (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
  • Library by the Sea at The Kimpton Seafire Resort (Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands)
  • Mamba Negra (Medellín, Colombia)
  • Mulberry Project at Tribu Hostel (Holbox, Mexico)
  • Rayo Cocktail Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Sastreria Martinez (Lima, Peru)

Best US Bar Team: US Central

  • Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
  • Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Half Step (Austin, Texas)
  • Lazy Bird at The Hoxton (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
  • Porco Lounge & Tiki Bar (Cleveland, Ohio)
  • Standby (Detroit, Michigan)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, Texas)
  • Three Dots and a Dash & The Bamboo Room (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Bar Team: US East

  • Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Attaboy Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Bar Belly (New York, New York)
  • Clover Club (Brooklyn, New York)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Hawksmoor (New York, New York)
  • LPM Restaurant & Bar Miami (Miami, Florida)
  • Overstory (New York, New York)
  • Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  • The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club (Nashville, Tennessee)

Best US Bar Team: US West

  • Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
  • Highball Cocktail Bar (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  • Paper Plane (San Jose, California)
  • The Snug (Sacramento, California)
  • True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
  • UnderTow (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Viridian Bar (Oakland, California)
  • Williams & Graham (Denver, Colorado)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best International Bar Team: Canada

  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec)
  • BarChef (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Clive’s Classic Lounge at the Chateau Victoria Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)
  • Dear Friend Bar (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
  • Laowai (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Lobby Lounge and RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • The Cloakroom Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Best International Bar Team: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Chintoneria (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • El Barón Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Las Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • La Factoria (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  • La Uat (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Image: Luciann Photography on Pexels

2022 Spirited Award winner Lynn House
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Tales Reveals 2022 Spirited Awards Winners

Tales of the Cocktail Reveals 2022 Spirited Awards Winners

2022 Spirited Award winner Lynn House

2022 Spirited Award winner Lynn House

Congratulations to the 2022 Spirited Awards winners, revealed last week during the 20th anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail.

First opening their doors in 2018, NYC’s Katana Kitten took home two awards. The dream team trio of Masahiro Urushido, Greg Boehm, and James Tune won Best US Cocktail Bar and best US Bar team.

Another American venue that won two Spirited Awards is Jewel of the South in New Orleans. Opened in 2019, Jewel of the South was crowned Best US Restaurant Bar. Additionally, the US Bartender of the Year is Chris Hannah, co-owner of the NOLA dining and drinking destination.

We also want to extend a special congratulations to Bar Hacks guest Lynn House. To learn more about House, this year’s Best US Brand Ambassador, check out episode 52 of Bar Hacks.

Internationally, two bars also took home multiple awards. 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name and Lyaness at Sea Containers London, both in London, won two Spirited Awards. The former is this year’s Best New International Cocktail Bar. Plus, it’s the home of Remy Savage, the 2022 International Bartender of the Year.

Lyaness at Sea Containers London clinched Best International Hotel Bar andWorld’s Best Bar. So, London, New Orleans, and New York showed out at the 2022 Spirited Awards.

To view the finalists in each category, please click here.

US Award Categories

U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Del Maguey: Chris Hannah (Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA)

Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts: Sean Kenyon

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey: Lynn House (Heaven Hill)

Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons: Katana Kitten (New York, NY)

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka: Katana Kitten (New York, NY)

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose: Silver Lyan at the Riggs (Washington, DC)

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand: Jewel of the South (New Orleans, LA)

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Aviation Gin: Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, NM)

International Award Categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón Tequila: Remy Savage (🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK)

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic: Lauren Mote

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic: Martin Hudak (Mr. Black Spirits)

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura: MAYBE SAMMY (Sydney, Australia)

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza: Tayēr + Elementary (London, UK)

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier: Lyaness at Sea Containers London (London, UK)

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo: Sexy Fish (London, UK)

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons: 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name (London, UK)

Global Award Categories

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation: Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Italian Orange

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy: Little Red Door (Paris, France)

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory: Jack Rose Dining Saloon (Washington, DC)

Pioneer Award Presented by The Blend: Amanda Gunderson (CEO and co-founder, Another Round Another Rally)

Timeless International Award presented by Jägermeister: Harry’s New York Bar (Paris, France)

Timeless U.S. Award presented by Johnnie Walker: Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (New York, NY)

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons: Julie Reiner (Co-founder Clover Club, Leyenda, Social Hour Cocktails, Mixtress Consulting)

World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation: Lyaness at Sea Containers London (London, UK)

Writing and Media Award Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy: VinePair

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy: The Cocktail Lovers

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Diageo Bar Academy: “Get Real: The bar world looks beyond feel-good measures on sustainability and climate change” by Max Falkowitz for Imbibe Magazine

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic: The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy: The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum

Image: Cory Fontenot

Gourmet dish on white background
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants: 1-50

2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants: 1-50

by David Klemt

Gourmet dish on white background

Finally, the World’s 50 Best announces the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, an impressive list of the finest places to dine across the globe.

Of course, this highly anticipated news comes on the heels of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, 51 to 100. Last night, host Stanley Tucci and special guest co-hosts announced the winners in London.

Perhaps not too surprisingly, only three American restaurants are among this year’s top fifty. Of those three, one is in Healdsburg, California, which is the wine-producing region of Sonoma County. The other two American restaurants are in New York City, which isn’t exactly a surprise. And of those two restaurants, one, number 33 on this year’s list, is the winner of the Gin Mre Art of Hospitality Award.

Unfortunately, there are no Canadian restaurants on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list. That applies to the back half of the list, numbers 51 to 100, as well.

Interestingly, the restaurant taking home the title of World’s Best Restaurant 2022 took the number two spot in 2021. Another hint: This year’s number one, by clinching the top slot, is also the Best Restaurant in Europe 2022.

So, do you think you know what restaurant is the best in the world? Scroll down to see if you’re right.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022: 50 to 1

  1. Single Thread (Healdsburg, California, USA)
  2. Ikoyi (London, England)
  3. Leo (Bogotá, Colombia)
  4. Oteque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
  5. Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal)
  6. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
  7. Le Bernardin (New York, New York, USA)
  8. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
  9. Quique Dacosta (Dénia, Spain)
  10. La Cime (Osaka, Japan)
  11. Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau, Switzerland)
  12. Sorn (Bangkok, Thailand)
  13. Jordnær (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  14. Fyn (Cape Town, South Africa)
  15. Odette (Singapore)
  16. The Clove Club (London, England)
  17. Hiša Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
  18. Atomix (New York, New York, USA)(Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2022)
  19. Mayta (Lima, Peru)
  20. Arpège (Paris, France)
  21. Florilège (Tokyo, Japan)
  22. St. Hubertus (San Cassiano, Italy)
  23. Le Clarence (Paris, France)
  24. Hof Van Cleve (Kruishoutem, Belgium)
  25. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
  26. Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden)
  27. The Chairman (Hong Kong)
  28. The Jane (Antwerp, Belgium)
  29. Septime (Paris, France)
  30. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)
  31. Den (Tokyo, Japan)
  32. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
  33. The Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  34. Nobelhart & Schmutzig (Berlin, Germany)(Villa Massa Highest Climber Award 2022)
  35. Elkano (Getaria, Spain)
  36. Reale (Castel di Sangro, Italy)
  37. Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  38. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
  39. Uliassi (Senigallia, Italy)(Highest New Entry Award 2022)
  40. Maido (Lima, Peru)
  41. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
  42. Quintonil (Ciudad de México, México)(Estrella Damm Chef’s Choice Award: Chef Jorge Vallejo)
  43. Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy)
  44.  A Casa do Porco (São Paulo, Brazil)
  45. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)
  46. Pujol (Ciudad de México, México)
  47. Diverxo (Madrid, Spain)
  48. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
  49. Central (Lima, Peru)
  50. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Image: Delightin Dee on Unsplash

The number four inside a circle
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Tales Announces Top Four Awards Finalists

Tales Announces Top Four Spirited Awards Finalists

by David Klemt

The number four inside a circle

It’s official: The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces the top four finalists in each of the 2022 Spirited Awards categories.

I don’t envy the judges who have to narrow down the top ten nominees to the top four finalists. Equally as daunting: deciding on the winner of each award in each category.

We’ll know who’s taking home each Spirited Award in just over a month. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 28 at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. For those attending the 20th anniversary Tales of the Cocktail, the Ritz-Carlton is this year’s headquarters hotel.

Purchase Spirited Awards tickets here, and check out the digital playbill here.

See you at Tales, y’all! Cheers.

US Categories

US Bartender of the Year presented by Del Maguey

  • Josh Davis (16th Street Bar, Chicago, IL)
  • Chris Hannah (Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA)
  • Masahiro “Masa” Urushido (Katana Kitten, New York, NY)
  • Christine Wiseman (BarLab Hospitality Group, Miami, FL)

Best US Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

  • Meaghan Dorman
  • Sean Kenyon
  • Nectaly Mendoza
  • Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Best US Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey Glass

  • Chris Cabrera (Bacardí USA)
  • Tad Carducci (Gruppo Montenegro)
  • Vance Henderson (Hendrick’s Gin)
  • Lynn House (Heaven Hill)

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

  • Half Step (Austin, TX)
  • Jewel of the South (New Orleans, LA)
  • Katana Kitten (New York, NY)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, TX)

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

  • Bar Goto (New York, NY)
  • Katana Kitten (New York, NY)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, TX)
  • Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, CA)

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

  • Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel (New York, NY)
  • Hey Love at The Jupiter (Portland, OR)
  • Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Phoenix, AZ)
  • Silver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC (Washington, DC)

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

  • Café La Trova (Miami, FL)
  • Cleaver: Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails (Las Vegas, NV)
  • Jewel of the South (New Orleans, LA)
  • Kumiko (Chicago, IL)

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Aviation Gin

  • Double Chicken Please (New York, NY)
  • Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, NM)
  • Temple Bar (New York, NY)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, CO)

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón

  • Lorenzo Antinori (ARGO / Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Hong Kong, China)
  • Keith Motsi (Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul, South Korea)
  • Rémy Savage (🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK)
  • Matt Whiley (RE, Sydney, Australia)

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

  • Monica Berg
  • Renato “Tato” Giovannoni
  • Lauren Mote
  • Agostino Perrone

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

  • Martin Hudák (Mr. Black Spirits)
  • Daniyel Jones (House of Angostura)
  • Ricardo Nava (Bacardí Latin America)
  • Nicola Riske (The Macallan)

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • MAYBE SAMMY (Sydney, Australia)
  • The Clumsies (Athens, Greece)
  • Two Schmucks (Barcelona, Spain)

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

  • MAYBE SAMMY (Sydney, Australia)
  • Satan’s Whiskers (London, UK)
  • Tayēr + Elementary (London, UK)
  • Two Schmucks (Barcelona, Spain)

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

  • Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel (Seoul, South Korea)
  • Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Lyaness at Sea Containers London (London, UK)
  • The American Bar at The Stafford London (London, UK)

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Danico (Paris, France)
  • Le Mary Celeste (Paris, France)
  • Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Sexy Fish (London, UK)

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

  • 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name (London, UK)
  • ARGO (Hong Kong, China)
  • Schofield’s Bar (Manchester, UK)
  • SIPS (Barcelona, Spain)

Global Categories

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

  • Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky
  • Citadelle Gin Jardin d’été
  • Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange
  • Nixta Licor de Elote

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • Little Red Door (Paris, France)
  • Lyaness at Sea Containers London (London, UK)
  • Swift Soho (London, UK)
  • Tayēr + Elementary (London, UK)

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

  • In-Situ Mezcaleria (Oaxaca City, Mexico)
  • Jack Rose Dining Saloon (Washington, DC)
  • Sexy Fish (London, UK)
  • Swift Soho (London, UK)

Writing and Media Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • CLASS magazine
  • Discard the Zine
  • VinePair
  • Whisky Magazine

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • Radio Imbibe
  • Shōshin Art Club
  • The Cocktail Lovers Podcast
  • The Speakeasy Podcast

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • “Get Real: The bar world looks beyond feel-good measures on sustainability and climate change” by Max Falkowitz, for Imbibe Magazine
  • “Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Destroyed American Bar Culture?” by Jeffrey Morgenthaler, for Daily Beast
  • “Meet the Eco-Packaging Innovations Transforming the Drinks Industry” by Betsy Andrews, for SevenFifty Daily
  • “The Greatest Drinking Contest in History” by David Wondrich, for Daily Beast

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

  • Death & Co: Welcome Home by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan
  • The Cocktail Seminars by Brian D. Hoefling
  • The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig
  • The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes by Julia Momosé with Emma Janzen

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy

  • Bourbon: The Story of Kentucky Whiskey by Clay Risen
  • Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization by Edward Slingerland
  • Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’Meara
  • The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum

Image: Tim Hüfner on Unsplash

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