#TOTC2024 | KRG Hospitality

September 4, 2024by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Books to Read this Month: September 2024

5 Books to Read this Month: September 2024

by David Klemt

Our September book selections focus on the 2024 Spirited Award finalists and winner of the Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits category.

These books cover an array of topics, from mastering ice and drink ratios to foraging for botanical cocktail ingredients.

To review the book recommendations from August 2024, click here.

Let’s jump in!

Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: A Cocktail Recipe Book Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks

Toni Tipton-Martin’s book has earned not only a Spirited Award, it’s a James Beard Award nominee, and has been hailed as one of the best cookbooks of the year by several publications. The story of the impact of Black drinking culture on drinking culture as a whole is told through more than 70 recipes.

From Amazon: “Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice spotlights the creativity, hospitality, and excellence of Black drinking culture, with classic and modern recipes inspired by formulas found in two centuries’ worth of Black cookbooks. From traditional tipples, such as the Absinthe Frappe or the Clover Leaf Cocktail, to new favorites, like the Jerk-Spiced Bloody Mary and the Gin and Juice 3.0, Toni Tipton-Martin shares a variety of recipes that shine a light on her influences, including underheralded early-twentieth-century icons, like Tom Bullock, Julian Anderson, and Atholene Peyton, and modern superstars, such as Snoop Dogg and T-Pain.”

Get your copy today.

How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

Tasting, whether food or beverage, is a key component of any hospitality professional’s skillset. To help people get the most out of tasting—and to make it a less-intimidating process—Mandy Naglich has written How to Taste. There are under 100 people with the Advanced Cicerone certification, and Naglich is one of them. I’d say, then, that she’s well qualified to teach others how to maximize a tasting.

From Amazon: “Take a seat beside highly-trained cheese analysts, world-class sommeliers, competitive whiskey tasters, internationally recognized chefs, and sensory scientists as experts divulge the secrets to discerning the notes in a range of ingredients, from a dab of honey to a spoonful of olive oil—and even a sip of mineral water.”

Pick up this book here.

ICE: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks–a Cool History of a Hot Commodity

This may seem like a strange thing to say, but ice, as a commodity, has been “a thing” in America for not much more than 200 years. I think it’s safe to say that it’s also something we tend to take for granted. After all, it’s just frozen water, right?

From Amazon: “In Ice, journalist and historian Amy Brady shares the strange and storied two-hundred-year-old history of ice in America: from the introduction of mixed drinks “on the rocks,” to the nation’s first-ever indoor ice rink, to how delicacies like ice creams and iced tea revolutionized our palates, to the ubiquitous ice machine in every motel across the US. But Ice doesn’t end in the past. Brady also explores the surprising present-day uses of ice in sports, medicine, and sustainable energy—including cutting-edge cryotherapy breast-cancer treatments and new refrigerator technologies that may prove to be more energy efficient—underscoring how precious this commodity is, especially in an age of climate change.”

Buy it now!

The Maison Premiere Almanac Cocktails, Oysters, Absinthe, and Other Essential Nutrients for the Sensualist, Aesthete, and Flaneur: A Cocktail Recipe Book

Since opening its doors for the first time in Brooklyn, NY, in 2011, the Maison Premier has established itself as one of the most important and influential drinking and dining establishments in America. One can argue quite easily that it’s considered one of the best bars and restaurants in the world. The Maison Premiere Almanac features 90 cocktail recipes, and it’s a James Beard Award nominee along with being a Spirited Award finalist.

From Amazon: “As captivating as the bar itself, The Maison Premiere Almanac is both a visual delight—drawing on photography, illustration, and graphic design—and a detailed guide to the rarefied subjects that make Maison Premiere unique, including deep explorations into the art of the cocktail and cutting-edge bartending techniques and equipment.”

Grab yours today.

Bar Hacks: Developing The Fundamentals for an Epic Bar

Yep, I’m taking the opportunity to recommend Doug Radkey’s first book. Radkey is, as you may know, the president of KRG Hospitality. In his this book he explains the importance of nailing the fundamentals in order to:

start your operator journey in the best possible position;
stabilize your business; and
scale when the time comes, if that’s what you want.

From Amazon: “This informative and conversational book is the perfect read for aspiring or seasoned bar, pub, lounge, or even restaurant owners, operators, and managers looking for that competitive edge in operations! If you’re looking for both fundamental and in-depth planning methods, strategies, and industry focused insight to either start or grow a scalable, sustainable, memorable, profitable, and consistent venue in today’s cut-throat industry–Bar Hacks is written just for you!”

Click here to get your copy today!

Image: Mikołaj on Unsplash

AI-generated image of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award on top of a bar, next to a cocktail

July 25, 2024by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Cheers to the 2024 Spirited Award Winners!

Cheers to the 2024 Spirited Award Winners!

by David Klemt

This image depicting what an AI system “thinks” a Spirited Award looks like will always amuse me.

We didn’t attend Tales of the Cocktail this year but we did watch the Spirited Award livestream to celebrate our peers receiving the recognition they deserve.

Let’s dive right into it!

A massive congratulations to the team at ALQUÍMICO in Cartagena des Indias, Colombia, for grabbing the World’s Best Bar crown.

Two incredible and generous bar pros, Alex Jump and Danil Nevsky, are this year’s Best US Bar Mentor and Best International Bar Mentor, respectively. I want to thank Jump for using her time on stage to call out the mental and physical health threats our industry continues to face.

This year’s Timeless US Award goes to The Buena Vista in San Francisco, California, while the Timeless International Award winner is Café Pacifico in London, UK. Hidetsugu Ueno’s commitment to the craft of bartending, hospitality, mentorship, and community earned him the 2024 Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award. Colin Asare-Appiah (“Get involved, bruv!”) is the more-than-deserving winner of this year’s Tales Visionary Award.

A special congratulations to Nectaly Mendoza, Joy Figueroa, and the team at Cleaver in Las Vegas for earning the Best US Restaurant Bar award. Yes, my civic pride is showing.

Another tip of the cap goes to Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, Mexico, for picking up three Spirited Awards: World’s Best Cocktail Menu, Best International Bar Team, and International Bartender of the Year. Congratulations to Eric van Beek!

Allegory at the Eaton Hotel takes two Spirited Awards back to DC: Best US Hotel Bar, and US Bartender of the Year. Cheers to Kapri Robinson!

Should you want a refresher regarding the four finalists from each award category, click here. The top-ten nominees are listed here, and the top-ten regional honorees can be found via this link.

Below, the award winners in the order they were revealed during the 2024 ceremony. Cheers!

Best New International Cocktail Bar

Bar Leone (Hong Kong)

New New US Cocktail Bar

Superbueno (New York, New York)

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

The Cocktail Lovers

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing

“A New Spirit Confronts the Consequences of Colonialism,” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch

Best International Brand Ambassador

Dave Mitton, Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s

Best US Brand Ambassador

Anna Mains, Monkey Shoulder

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series

Bartender At Large, hosted by Erick Castro

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)

Best International Restaurant Bar

Danico (Paris, France)

Best US Restaurant Bar

Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Best International Bar Team

Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)

Best US Bar Team

Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Best International Hotel Bar

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand)

Best US Hotel Bar

Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits

Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: A Cocktail Recipe Book Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

The Ice Book: Cool Cubes, Clear Spheres, and Other Chill Cocktail Crafts by Camper English

Best International Cocktail Bar

ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena des Indias, Colombia)

Best US Cocktail Bar

Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

World’s Best Spirits Selection

Baba Au Rum (Athens, Greece)

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

YUZUCO Yuzu Super Juice

International Bartender of the Year

Eric van Beek, Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)

US Bartender of the Year

Kapri Robinson, Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)

Best International Bar Mentor

Danil Nevsky

Best US Bar Mentor

Alex Jump

Image: Shutterstock. Disclaimer: This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform.

May 31, 2024by krghospitality krghospitality No Comments

2024 Spirited Awards: Top 10 Nominees

The 2024 Spirited Awards: Top 10 Nominees

by David Klemt

This is what Shutterstock’s AI thinks a Spirited Award looks like. Close? I guess? Hmm…

Just a month after unveiling their top-ten regional honorees, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation reveals the top-ten nominees for each Spirited Award category.

That’s an impressively quick turnaround for such a monumental task.

So, let’s raise a glass (low-, full-, or zero-proof) to the judges and TOTCF for whittling down each award to just ten nominees.

My Vegas Bias is Showing…

As usual, I’m going to show my bias a bit here. Just two nominees represent Las Vegas, but they’re both incredible.

Nectaly Mendoza is up for Best US Bar Mentor, and his concept Cleaver is a top-ten nominee for Best US Restaurant Bar.

I cut began my hospitality journey in and around Chicago, so cheers to three Windy City bars who have made it to this round of the Spirited Awards.

Best Intentions is still in for Best US Bar Team and Best US Cocktail Bar. Milk Room at the Chicago Athletic Hotel is a top-ten nominee for Best US Hotel Bar, and Kumiko is up against Cleaver and eight other amazing venues for Best US Restaurant Bar.

…But so is My Canadian Bias!

Of course, I also have a “wee bit” of bias when it comes to Canada, given that KRG Hospitality was founded and is headquartered in America’s neighbor to the north. First, congratulations to Kate Boushel! She’s definitely getting the acknowledgement for her leadership and contributions that she deserves. Not only is the revered bartender and mentor a top-ten nominee for International Bartender of the Year, she’s the first Canadian to win the 2024 Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award from North America’s 50 Best Bars.

There are also five Canadian venues in the running for a 2024 Spirited Award.

Atwater Cocktail Club, for which Boushel is the director of beverage and education, is a top-ten nominee for Best International Bar Team. Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York is in for Best International Hotel Bar. Bar Kismet and Published on Main are both among the ten nominees for Best International Restaurant Bar. So, cheers to Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Setting aside my bias for Vegas-based and Canadian bars, restaurants, and hotels now, congratulations to every nominee on the list below! Each team’s hard work and dedication has earned them the recognition they deserve. Cheers!

US Categories

US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard

Erika Flowers — Compère Lapin, New Orleans, LA
Nicole Giampino — Platform 18/Century Grand, Phoenix, AZ
McLain Hedges — Yacht Club, Denver, CO
Christine Kim — Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
Libby Lingua — Highball, Phoenix, AZ
Caer Maiko Ferguson — Drinkwell, Austin, TX
Kapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, D.C.
Isabel “Izzy” Tulloch — Milady’s, New York, NY
Masa Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NY
Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s, New York, NY

Best US Bar Mentor presented Jameson Irish Whiskey

Anu Apte
Jason Asher
Steva Casey
Laura Cullen
Touré Folkes
Kate Gerwin
Alex Jump
Anne Louise Marquis
Nectaly Mendoza
Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass

Best US Brand Ambassador presented Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
Cameron George — Ardbeg
A-K Hada — Bacardí Rums
Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskeys
Stephen Kurpinsky — Mr Black Spirits
Anna Mains — Monkey Shoulder
Mary Palac — Campari Mexican Spirits
Aleka Ross — Hotaling & Co
Cesar Sandoval —Casa Lumbre Spirits
Natasha Sofia — Mijenta Tequila

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
Martiny’s — New York, NY
Milady’s — New York, NY
Nickel City — Austin, TX
Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Yacht Club — Denver, CO

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Del Maguey Mezcal

Bar Goto — New York, NY
Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
Martiny’s — New York, NY
Overstory — New York, NY
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
Trick Dog — San Francisco, CA
Yacht Club — Denver, CO

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons Surf Club — Miami, FL
Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans — New Orleans, LA
Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NY
Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZ
Milk Room at the Chicago Athletic Hotel — Chicago, IL
Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad — New York, NY
Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland — Portland, OR
Raines Law Room at the William — New York, NY
The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans — New Orleans, LA

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Accomplice Bar — Los Angeles, CA
Amazonia — Washington D.C.
Bresca — Washington, DC
Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
Crown Shy — New York, NY
Gramercy Tavern — New York, NY
Grey Ghost — Detroit, MI
Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
Kumiko — Chicago, IL
Palomar — Portland, OR

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Cobra — Columbus, OH
Equal Measure — Boston, MA
FYPM — Phoenix, AZ
Jolie — New Orleans, LA
Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge — Miami Beach, FL
Murray’s Tavern — Austin, TX
Paradise Lost — New York, NY
Pretty Decent — Louisville, KY
Superbueno — New York, NY
Wild Child — Kansas City, MO

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Lorenzo Antinori — Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China
Gina Barbachano — Hanky Panky, Mexico City, Mexico
Kate Boushel — Atwater Cocktail Club, Milky Way Cocktail Bar, Bon Délire, Montreal, QC, Canada
Giulia Cuccurullo — Artesian, The Langham, London
Aaron Diaz — Carnaval, Lima, Peru
Uno Jang — Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Julian Short — Sin + Tax, Johannesburg, South Africa
Eric van Beek — Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia
Matt Whiley — Re, Sydney, Australia

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Simone Caporale
Ryan Chetiyawardana
Giacomo Giannotti
Tato Giovannoni
Shingo Gokan
Indra Kantono
Iain McPherson
Danil Nevsky
Jean Trinh
Christina Veira

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Jenna Ba — Tanqueray
Jordan Bushell — Hennessy
Claudia Cabrera — Fratelli Branca
Jesse Estes —Tequila Ocho
Caitlin Hill — Rémy Cointreau
Daniyel Jones — House of Angostura
Ally Martin — Hendrick’s Gin
Dave Mitton — Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s
Tim Philips-Johansson — Johnnie Walker
Charmaine Ann Thio — Hendrick’s Gin

Best International Bar Team presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Atwater Cocktail Club — Montreal, QC, Canada
Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
Hanky Panky — Mexico City, Mexico
Hope & Sesame Guangzhou — Guangzhou, China
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by PATRÓN Tequila

🔶🟥🔵— London, UK
ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena des Indias, Colombia
BYRDI — Melbourne, Australia
Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
Kwãnt — London, UK
Maybe Sammy — Sydney, Australia
Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
ZEST — Seoul, South Korea

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Fords Gin

ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
Charles H. at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong — Hong Kong, China
Dean & Nancy on 22 at the A by Adina Hotel — Sydney, Australia
Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, Mexico
Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York — Toronto, ON, Canada
Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel — London, UK
Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Gin Mare

ARCA Tulum — Tulum, Mexico
Bar Kismet — Halifax, NS, Canada
Burnt Ends Bar — Singapore
Carico Milano — Milan, Italy
Casa Prunes — Mexico City, Mexico
CoChinChina— Buenos Aires, Argentina
COYA Dubai — Dubai, UAE
Danico — Paris, France
Published on Main — Vancouver, BC, Canada
Zuma Dubai — Dubai, UAE

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
Bar Nouveau — Paris, France
Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand
Bijou Drinkery Room — Mexico City, Mexico
Cat Bite Club — Singapore
Dram — London, UK
El Primo Sanchez — Sydney, Australia
Equal Parts — London, UK
FURA — Singapore
Tokyo Confidential — Tokyo, Japan

Global Categories

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

DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo
Don Fulano 20th Anniversary Añejo
Ferrand Dry Curaçao Yuzu Late Harvest
J. Rieger & Co. Monogram Whiskey 2023 Kansas City Whiskey – Solera Reserve
Joseph Cartron Bergamote
La Escondida Sotol Blanco
Powers Irish Rye
Ten To One Rum Black History Month Artist Edition
Worthy Park 109
YUZUCO Yuzu Super Juice

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena des Indias, Colombia
Angelita — Madrid, Spain
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour — Phoenix, AZ
Danico — Paris, France
Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
Hope & Sesame — Guangzhou, China
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
Maybe Sammy — Sydney, Australia
Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain

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

Baba Au Rum — Athens, Greece
Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
KOL Mezcaleria — London, UK
Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library — Portland, OR
Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
Rumba — Seattle, WA
Salón de Agave at Casa Prunes — Mexico City, Mexico
Sexy Fish — London, UK
The Baxter Inn — Sydney, Australia
Tlecān — Mexico City, Mexico

Writing & Media Categories

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

Boothby
Candra Drinks
CLASS magazine
Club Oenologique
Difford’s Guide
Guest Check
InsideHook
SevenFifty Daily
The Cocktail Lovers
The Spirits Business

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

Bartender At Large
Freepour
Like•a•ble Cocktails by Kaitlyn
no proof with Joshua Gandee
Perspectives by Campari Academy
Radio Imbibe
Served Up the Podcast
Shōshin Art Club
The Blackbird Podcast by Josh Lindley of Bartender Atlas
The Modern Bar Cart Podcast

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

“A New Spirit Confronts the Consequences of Colonialism,” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch
“Facing Rum’s Problematic Past Is Allowing Producers to Embrace the Spirit’s Future,” by Christine Sismondo, for Imbibe
“Family Matters: The Mezcal Boom and the Lives of the Families who Make It,” by Noah Arenstein, for Imbibe
“Indigenous Women Working in Mezcal Are Ready to Be Recognized for Their Work,” by Shayna Conde, for Wine Enthusiast
“Meet the People Keeping Queer Bars Safe,” by Rax Will, for Punch
“Mexican Spirits, Philly Energy,” by Craig LaBan, for the Philadelphia Inquirer
“Sotol and the Making of the Next Big Drink,” by Rachel Monroe, for The New Yorker
“The Ghostly Outline of a Shadow — Tracing the Footsteps of Whiskey Near-Legend of Jokichi Takamine,” by Kara Newman, for Good Beer Hunting
“The Martini Whisperer,” by Robert Simonson, for Grub Street
“Why Has the Modern Cocktail Movement Ignored the LGBTQ+ Community?” by Brad Japhe, for VinePair

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

How to Make Better Cocktails: Cocktail Techniques, Pro-Tips and Recipes by Sebastian Hamilton-Mudge, Natalia Garcia Bourke and Andy Shannon
Mr Lyan’s Cocktails at Home: Good Things to Drink with Friends by Ryan Chetiyawardana
Saved by the Bellini & Other 90s-Inspired Cocktails by John deBary
Signature Cocktails by Amanda Schuster
Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More by Danny Childs
Strong, Sweet & Bitter by Cara Devine
The Book of Cocktail Ratios: The Surprising Simplicity of Classic Cocktails by Michael Ruhlman
The Ice Book: Cool Cubes, Clear Spheres, and Other Chill Cocktail Crafts by Camper English
TROPICAL STANDARD: Cocktail Techniques and Reinvented Recipes by Garret Richard & Ben Schaffer
Wild Drinks: The New Old World of Small-Batch Brews, Ferments and Infusions by Sharon Flynn

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

A Field Guide to Tequila by Clayton Szczech
A Passion for Whisky: How the tiny Scottish island of Islay creates malts that captivate the world by Ian Wisniewsk
Hospitality DNA by Dave Nitzel and Dave Domzalski
How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life by Mandy Naglich
ICE: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks–a Cool History of a Hot Commodity by Amy Brady
Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: A Cocktail Recipe Book Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin
The Absinthe Frappé by Marielle Songy
The Encyclopedia of Cocktails by Robert Simonson
The Essential Tequila & Mezcal Companion by Tess Rose Lampert
The Maison Premiere Almanac Cocktails, Oysters, Absinthe, and Other Essential Nutrients for the Sensualist, Aesthete, and Flaneur: A Cocktail Recipe Book by Joshua Boissy, Krystof Zizka, Jordan Mackay, William Eilliott

TALES OF THE COCKTAIL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TOP 10 NOMINEES FOR THE 2024 SPIRITED AWARDS®

The 18th annual Spirited Awards® celebrates global excellence in the drinks industry and recognizes professionals, organizations, and establishments shaping the cocktail community

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 29, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Top 10 Nominees for the 18th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards® has become one of the industry’s most sought-after awards, recognizing beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale. In partnership with Forbes–the Spirited Awards® official media partner–TOTCF will honor recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) conference, which is celebrating its 22nd year in New Orleans, July 21-26, 2024.

The Spirited Awards® are comprised of industry accolades, both domestic and international; writing and media awards; and overall awards that transcend regionality, including World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu.

“Once again we are in awe of the impeccable global talent coming out of our industry, and this year’s Spirited Awards shortlist is no exception,” said Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Overall and International Chair. “We are so impressed by these nominees, their hard work and dedication to creating innovative and exceptional cocktails, and to improving the industry on a global level to provide extraordinary experiences and unmatched hospitality.”

In that spirit, the Foundation is proud to announce the Top 10 Nominees, broken into International, U.S., Media & Writing, and Global categories.

Note: Please see above, with each category’s finalists listed in alphabetical order, as per Tales of the Cocktail. The categories are in a different order than that of the press release: US Categories, International Categories, Global Categories, and then Writing & Media Categories.

Spirited Awards® 2024

Spirited Awards Top 4 Finalists and the recipients for the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons, Visionary Award presented by Johnnie Walker, & International/U.S. Timeless Awards presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will be named on June 17. All winners will be celebrated on July 25 at the 18th Annual Spirited Awards® Ceremony at the Fillmore New Orleans. Spirited Awards® Ceremony tickets will be available via the TOTCF website on June 17.

Spirited Awards® Judges

Below is a list of Spirited Awards® Chairs, responsible for overseeing the judging process this year:

Spirited Awards® Overall Chair
- Charlotte Voisey
Asia Pacific Co-Chairs
- Sam Bygrave
- Andrew Ho
- Symphony Loo
- Charmaine Thio
Canada Co-Chairs
- Kate Boushel
- Jonathan Smolensky
Europe Co-Chairs
- Stephanie Jordan
- Roberta Mariani
Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs
- Carlos Aguinsky
- Georgina Barbachano García
Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs
- Stephen “KOJO” Aidoo
- Caitlin Hill
- Nana Sechere
U.S. Central Co-Chairs
- Joshua Gandee
- Lynn M. House
U.S. East Co-Chairs
- Jackson Cannon
- Jaymee Mandeville
U.S. West Co-Chairs
- Jason Asher
- Erin Schaeferle
Timeless Co-Chairs
- Jared Brown
- Anistatia Miller
Writing & Media Co-Chairs
- Ryan Chetiyawardana
- Emma Janzen
- Sandrae Lawrence

Spirited Awards® judges are a collection of respected bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe entrusted with this critical calling. Drawing on their years of experience and their knowledge of the current work being done locally, nationally, and internationally, together the judges can evaluate nominees from far and wide to ensure that the Spirited Awards® represents the breadth and diversity of the global drinks industry.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards® Committee is dedicated to valuing the inclusion of the communities the foundation serves, by ensuring that our judging panel reflects their incredible diversity in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Recognizing that inclusion is key to a well-represented committee, TOTCF strives to ensure that we have an equitable representation of gender across the judging panel. The Spirited Awards® are not based on popular vote and all nominations are evaluated by their respective judging committees.

Spirited Awards® Directory

Tales of the Cocktail is pleased to share the Spirited Awards® Directory Giving discerning imbibers a comprehensive compendium of all Spirited Awards® winners and nominees from the past 18 years. This resource is updated annually, making it a go-to guide for planning the perfect drinking and dining itinerary. Access Spirited Awards® Directory to explore award-winning bars.

A Special Thanks: Spirited Awards® Sponsors

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards® sponsors: Del Maguey Mezcal, Diageo Bar Academy, Fords Gin, G. H. Mumm Champagne, Gin Mare, Grey Goose, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Johnnie Walker, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic, PATRÓN Tequila, Pernod Ricard, and William Grant & Sons.

To follow along for additional information on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, please visit the website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization that educates, advances, and supports the global hospitality industry and creates lasting impact in our host communities. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance, and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make a lasting impact in communities that host our events.

About Forbes

Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 140 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 42 licensed local editions in 68 countries. Forbes Media’s brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements.

Image: Shutterstock. Disclaimer: This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform.

May 15, 2024by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

TOTC Announces 2024 Agenda

Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Agenda

by David Klemt

Tales of the Cocktail has revealed the 2024 agenda, and it’s absolutely loaded with incredible networking, health and wellness, and educational opportunities.

There’s an array of activations and special events lined up for this year. For example, the New Orleans Spirits Competition returns to Tales of the Cocktail for its third edition. To learn more about this event—including why people who want to participate need to line up early—listen to episode 115 of the Bar Hacks podcast. (Apple Podcasts link | Spotify link)

Of course, one of the biggest events is the 2024 Spirited Awards ceremony, taking place Thursday, July 25.

Truly, Tales is coming out swinging for 2024. For more information, please review the official press release below.

Cheers!

NOW LIVE: TALES OF THE COCKTAIL® 2024 CONFERENCE AGENDA AND TICKETS

TOTC returns to New Orleans from July 21-26 with an inspiring lineup of educational seminars, tasting and networking opportunities, wellness initiatives, awards programming, and much more

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 13, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce that today, on World Cocktail Day, the Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) 2024 conference agenda and tickets are now live via the Foundation’s website. Toasting its 22-year legacy of honoring the craft, culture, and business of the global cocktail community, TOTC returns to New Orleans from July 21-26, offering an immersive experience created to “Inspire” both industry professionals and cocktail connoisseurs alike.

Beginning today, a variety of daily and weekly passes, discounted bartender passes, individual event tickets, and the all-new $10 Wellness Week Pass are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Complete details about TOTC 2024 ticket options can be accessed on Tales’ ticketing platform.

“It’s an honor to unveil the 2024 Tales of the Cocktail agenda, and with it, invite the cocktail community to join us in New Orleans for the 22nd annual conference,” said TOTCF CEO Eileen Wayner. “Our dedicated team, along with the invaluable TOTCF Committees, Board of Directors, and partners have meticulously cultivated a conference agenda that’s brimming with educational programming, wellness and networking opportunities, tastings, awards celebrations, brand showcases, and more. The 2024 agenda guarantees an unparalleled week of discovery, connection, and above all, Inspiration, as we explore this year’s annual theme.”

TOTC has long been a love letter to New Orleans’ cocktail culture and a celebration of the rich tapestry of global cocktail traditions—both new and timeless. The 2024 conference lineup is no exception, featuring another stellar slate of curated educational seminars; Beyond the Bar activations; Brand-Hosted Events; Day of Service; Meet the Distillers; New Orleans Cocktail Tours; the annual Spirited Awards®; Tales Catalyst; and more.

Educational Seminars, Panels, Q&A Sessions, and More

Tales of the Cocktail will feature more than 65 educational sessions, including seminars, workshops, and tastings across Tales’ three educational streams—Business, Culture, and Beyond the Bar—which will be presented by 175 industry leaders. Chosen from more than 380 impressive proposals, the 2024 seminar lineup was hand-selected via a rigorous process by the Tales of the Cocktail Education Advisory Committee. This year, the TOTC seminar schedule is proudly led by over 48% women presenters, 30% BIPOC presenters, and over 33% international presenters from countries including the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, the UK, and more.

Highlights from this year’s seminar schedule include:

Business

Contemporary Employee Relations: Centering Dignity by Laura Louise Green with John B. Reyna, Andi Ryan, and Irene Shiang Li
More of the Same: Expanding Your Bar Concept by Meaghan Dorman with Indra Kantono, Gates Otsuji, and Laura Torres
Pouring Foundations: Financial Planning for Bar Upgrades and New Constructions by Matt Edgar with Hannah Cash and Johann Moonesinghe
Up Your Probability of Profit: Consumer Insights to Operate Smarter not Harder by Adrian Biggs with Rodrigo Leme, Nikki Hueckel, Andrew Hummel, and Simone Ventura

Culture

Akvavit 101 by Bex Almqvist
H2Know: Water in Cocktails 101 by Kate Gerwin and Martin Riese
Harmonies in Mixology: Exploring the Relationship between Music and Cocktails by Xavier Herit with Michael Aredes
In the Weeds: Wild Flavors Behind the Bar by Olivia Cerio with Danny Childs, Ektoras Binikos, and Tama Matsuoka Wong
What’s Cooler than Cool? Cocktails and Temperature by Jessamine McLellan with Dave Arnold, and Michael Capoferri

Beyond the Bar

Branding Up for Yourself: Strengthening Community and Equity in Brand Relations by Michael Holiday with Sullivan Doh, Phëlix Étienne, and Kapri Robinson
Flavors of Immigration by Alan Ruesga-Pelayo, Julio Cabrera, Faye Chen, Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez, Roberto Núñez Moreno, and Eric Vanbeek
I’ll Have What She’s Having: The Five Cocktails Defined by Women’s Right to Booze by Nicola Nice and Greg Benson
Mixing Motherhood: Navigating the Cocktail of Challenges in the Drinks Industry by Vivian Pei with Paula García, Carina Soto Velasquez, and Tess Posthumus

TOTC is pleased to present the inaugural “Futures Lab” series on Tuesday, July 23, which will immerse participants in short-format, thoughtful discussions on the future of the drinks industry, and all-new, curated Networking Sessions which will take place throughout the week of TOTC.

Futures Lab

The Future of A.I. and Hospitality – Gary Gruver, Director of Global Beverage Operations, Marriott International
The Future of Drinking the Planet Better – Stephanie Jordan, Avallen Spirits & Drinking Out Loud, Founder
The Future of Food & Beverage – Kat Kinsman, Food and Wine, Executive Features Editor and Host of Tinfoil Swans Podcast
The Future of the Industry – Matt Molino, Chief Strategy Officer Partner, NVE Experience Agency
The Future of Ingredients – Monica Berg, Tayer + Elementary, Muyu Liqueurs, Director, Owner
The Future of THC Beverages – Rachel Burkons, Smoke Sip Savor, Feast & Flower, Founder

Networking Sessions

First-time Tales Attendees
Journalists and Bartenders, Presented by Stray Dog Wild Gin
Meet in the Middle – Lessons in Distribution for Producers and Buyers, Presented by Independent Distributor Network
Parenting in the Industry

Marquee Programming: Brand-Hosted Events, Meet the Distillers, New Orleans Cocktail Tours, New Orleans Spirits Competition, Pig & Punch, Speed Rack Championship, Spirited Awards®, Tales Catalyst, Toast to Tales, and TOTCF Day of Service.

Brand Hosted Events: TOTCF’s brand partners are back in New Orleans dazzling guests with their legendary parties and activations in venues across the city and at the host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Inviting guests to be awed and inspired by the creativity and festivity of some of the world’s leading brands, TOTC 2024 will feature more than 240 brand events across an array of Tastings, Happy Hours, Guest Shifts, Day Events, headlining Night Events, etc. Spirited Dining & Drinking events will feature partner brands immersed with New Orleans’ renowned food and beverage scene, highlighting local talent and guest bartenders.
Meet The Distillers: TOTCF’s signature trade show, Meet the Distillers (MTD), offers guests an up close and personal experience with their favorite spirits brands. Attendees will taste samples, meet the makers, and get a firsthand account of more than 20 distillations from across the globe. This year, MTD will be held on Thursday, July 25 from 10am-5pm, and is available to all with a Thursday Tasting Room wristband.
New Orleans Cocktail Tours: In collaboration with Wayne Curtis, the New Orleans Cocktail Tour series offers attendees a series of eight educational walking tours that provide a wealth of knowledge and keen insight into the city’s history and cocktail scene. Enlisting special guests to help guide the tours, Wayne (Author of And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails and frequent spirits contributor for The Atlantic, Imbibe Magazine, PUNCH, The Daily Beast, and Garden & Gun) and co. will lead a series of tours, including:
- Absinthe Tour
- Bourbon St. & How it Got that Way
- Hunting Down the Sazerac
- The Big Gay Bar Tour
New Orleans Spirits Competition (NOSC): The New Orleans Spirits Competition, an international spirits competition bringing wider recognition to fine spirits from top-flight producers across the globe, is presented in partnership with TOTCF, with nearly three dozen prominent members of the spirits community serving as judges to determine a suite of awards categories, including Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, Best of Category, Whiskey of the Year, Brandy of the Year, Gin of the Year, Baijiu of the Year, Vodka of the Year, Agave Spirit of the Year, Specialty Spirit of the Year, Liqueur of the Year, Best New Product, Best Craft Spirit, Packaging Excellence, and Distillery of the Year.
Pig & Punch: The 13th annual Pig & Punch presented by The Bon Vivants is thrilled to be heading back to New Orleans for a one-of-a-kind party for charity to close out Tales of the Cocktail! New Orleans holds a special place in the heart of Pig & Punch, infusing the event with its distinct brand of fun and energy. This year, TOTC is excited to bring the party to a fresh venue, The Broadside, promising an unparalleled experience. True to the spirit of Tales of the Cocktail, The Bon Vivants reaffirm their dedication to giving back. Proceeds will support New Orleans KIPP Charter Schools, The Bon Vivants Scholarship aiding first-generation college students in San Francisco, Hogs for the Cause, and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. This party is all about community and camaraderie!
Speed Rack Season 12 National Finals: In partnership with Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero, TOTC will host the high-speed, high-octane Speed Rack Season 12 National Finals on Sunday, July 21 from 3pm-7pm at Republic NOLA. This vibrant competition raises funds and awareness for breast cancer, all while promoting equity in the spirits industry. The finals will be a can’t-miss event as the 20 women+ semi-finalists from across the country come together to compete in a timed, tournament-style cocktail-making event. 100% of proceeds from the event are donated to national breast cancer philanthropies.
Spirited Awards®: Established in 2007 to honor excellence in the drinks industry, the Spirited Awards® has grown into one of the most internationally prestigious recognitions, celebrating individuals, products, establishments, media, and industry luminaries from around the world who continue to inspire the global cocktail community. Guests are invited to get dressed to the nines and celebrate the 18th annual Spirited Awards® winners at the Fillmore Theater in New Orleans on Thursday, July 25.
- *The Top 4 Spirited Awards Nominees will be announced and Spirited Awards Ceremony tickets will go on sale on June 17.
Tales Catalyst: Tales Catalyst (formerly Catalyst Luncheon) will be held on Tuesday, July 23 to celebrate this year’s Tales Catalysts Honorees–a title that recognizes those who are working for the accessibility and equity of the drinks industry. This year, TOTCF transitioned the Tales Catalyst program to a presentation-format, TED-Talk-style event to give the Catalyst Honorees a unique platform to speak to an engaged audience. This ticketed event invites guests to join in celebrating the two 2024 Tales Catalyst Honorees and enjoy refreshments along with awe-inspiring speeches.
Toast to Tales: Join the TOTCF Board of Directors and leadership team to kickstart Tales of the Cocktail® 2024 with a toast, live brass band, and remarks from TOTCF leaders! Taking place at 10 am on Monday, July 22 in the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans courtyard, all attendees are invited to toast to another spirited year of Tales.
TOTCF Day of Service: TOTCF and Edrington welcome participants to the annual Day of Service on Sunday, July 21 in partnership with Green Light New Orleans and The Water Collaborative. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s sustainability initiatives, the history of water and justice in New Orleans, and paint rain barrels that will be distributed to bars throughout the city. The TOTCF Day of Service will take place from 9am-1pm, and those who are interested in participating may sign up here. This is a free, community event that’s open to all TOTC attendees.

Beyond the Bar®

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is proud to share the continued expansion of its health and wellness sector, Beyond the Bar® (BTB). Beyond the Bar® is the physical and creative space for Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s global community to explore themes beyond traditional spirits education. Created in 2018, BTB provides a platform to address challenges and opportunities within the global drinks industry including mental and physical health, intersectionality, substance use, sexual harassment, diversity, equity, and sustainability.

Beginning this year, select BTB programming is included in the $10 Wellness Week Pass, which includes access to 20 onsite workshops, networking sessions, and fitness classes, in addition to the daily Beyond the Bar® Lounge presented by Lyre’s. Proceeds from the Wellness Week Pass will help fund year-round Beyond the Bar® programming, including grants, scholarships, policy initiatives, and education. The Wellness Week Pass is included in all ticket types or may be purchased individually.

Highlights include:

Beyond the Bar® Wellness Workshops
- Career Readiness Workshop by Alex Jump
- Promoting Wellness in the Workplace: Addressing Addiction and Supporting Employee Success Workshop by Mickey Bakst
- Road to 2030 Sustainable Bar Workshop by Sean Finter and Ali Fitzpatrick
Beyond the Bar® Fitness Activations
- Bartender Bodyshop with The Healthtender by Amie Ward
- Longevity Behind the Stick: Breath and Mobility Workshop by Allie Phifer and Hai Nguyen

The Beyond the Bar space will host additional programming throughout the conference for attendees to enjoy, including:

Beyond the Bar Lounge: The Beyond the Bar Lounge presented by Lyre’s will be located in Baronne and available for attendees to sample N/A beverages, enjoy respite with the cozy lounge furniture, access phone chargers, and rest in between sessions.
Ben’s Friends: Ben’s Friends is a community of chefs, bartenders, line cooks, servers, sommeliers, hosts and hostesses, GMs, and owners who have found or are seeking sobriety. Their mission is to offer community, hope, and a path forward for those struggling with substance abuse and addiction. At its core, Ben’s Friends are hospitality workers who have found connection and the tools to seek and maintain sobriety while managing careers and lives in a sane and purposeful way. Ben’s Friends will host private meetings in the Beyond the Bar Space on Monday and Tuesday from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm.

A special thanks…

Tales Partners

TOTCF would like to recognize the generous partners who help bring a premier experience to New Orleans and beyond. TOTCF is pleased to present the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation 2024 Medallion and Diamond Tier Partners: Bacardi USA, Brown-Forman, Campari, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Rémy-Cointreau, William Grant & Sons, and the TOTC2024 Official Water Partner: Perrier.

Tales Media Partners

TOTCF is proud to partner with esteemed media outlets to share the stories of our beloved cocktail community. This year, Tales is pleased to partner with Food & Wine, Forbes, Imbibe, Pre Shift, Provi, The Advocate, The Spill, and Wine Enthusiast.

ABOUT TALES OF THE COCKTAIL FOUNDATION:

Image: Cory Fontenot

April 23, 2024by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

TOTCF Reveals Regional Top 10 Honorees

TOTCF Reveals Regional Top 10 Honorees

by David Klemt

This is what Shutterstock’s AI think a Spirited Award looks like. At least the spelling is accurate.

Please join us in raising a glass of your favorite beverage—full-, low-, or no-ABV—to the 18th annual Spirited Awards Regional Top 10 Honorees.

Overall, New York City lays claim to the most honorees with a staggering 27. In second place among the American cities is Chicago, with 17 honorees. New Orleans comes in at third with 13 honorees dotted throughout the city.

That brings us to Canada. There’s a tie between Montréal, Québec, and Toronto, Ontario, for first place. Each city boasts 15 Regional Top 10 Honorees. Vancouver follows with 11 honorees. Appearing in two categories is Dartmouth, Nova Scotia’s Dear Friend Bar. There are also two honorees in Québec City, Québec.

As you can see, a handful of cities throughout North America are doing very well in terms of the bar scene. Internationally, London is home to 17 honorees, Singapore claims 15, and Mexico City boasts 12 honorees.

You’ll find the entire list of honorees below, starting with America. What can I say? I just have to be different. Cheers!

American Honorees

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Best US Bar Team: US Central

Anna’s (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Best Intentions (Chicago, Illinois)
DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Meteor (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
Sportsman’s Club (Chicago, Illinois)
Three Dots and a Dash (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Bar Team: US East

Allegory DC (Washington, DC)
Bar Belly (New York, New York)
Bar Goto (New York, New York)
Martiny’s (New York, New York)
Milady’s (New York, New York)
Mister Paradise (New York, New York)
Old Glory (Nashville, Tennessee)
Overstory (New York, New York)
Proof (Charleston, South Carolina)
Service Bar (Washington, DC)

Best US Bar Team: US West

Accomplice Bar (Los Angeles, California)
Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
Employees Only Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
Highball Cocktail Bar (Phoenix, Arizona)
Navy Strength (Seattle, Washington)
Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
Strong Water Anaheim (Anaheim, California)
Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Del Maguey Mezcal

Best US Cocktail Bar: US Central*

Adiõs Bar (Birmingham, Alabama)
Bar Tonique (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Best Intentions (Chicago, Illinois)
DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
Here Nor There (Austin, Texas)
Julep (Houston, Texas)
Kiesling (Detroit, Michigan)
Meadowlark (Chicago, Illinois)
MONEYGUN (Chicago, Illinois)
Sparrow (Chicago, Illinois)
Standby (Detroit, Michigan)

Best US Cocktail Bar: US East

Bar Belly (New York, New York)
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)
Martiny’s (New York, New York)
Milady’s (New York, New York)
Mister Paradise (New York, New York)
Overstory (New York, New York)
Service Bar (Washington, DC)

Best US Cocktail Bar: US West

Baby Gee (Long Beach, California)
Capri Club (Los Angeles, California)
Foreign National (Seattle, Washington)
Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Highball Cocktail Bar (Phoenix, Arizona)
The Doctor’s Office (Seattle, Washington)
Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
Trick Dog (San Francisco, California)
True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Best US Hotel Bar: US Central

Catbird at Thompson Dallas Hotel (Dallas, Texas)
Chandelier Bar at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Dovetail Bar at The Schaeffer Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Lazy Bird at The Hoxton (Chicago, Illinois)
Midnight Rambler at The Joule (Dallas, Texas)
Milk Room at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (Chicago, Illinois)
Otoko x Watertrade at South Congress Hotel (Austin, Texas)
The Elysian Bar at Hotel Peter and Paul (New Orleans, Louisiana)
The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Vol. 39 at The Kimpton Gray Hotel (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Hotel Bar: US East

27 Restaurant at Freehand Miami (Miami Beach, Florida)
Allegory DC (Washington, DC)
Champagne Bar at Four Seasons at The Surf Club (Miami, Florida)
Dear Irving on Hudson at Aliz Hotel (New York, New York)
Frannie & The Fox at Emeline (Charleston, South Carolina)
Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
MATADOR BAR at The Miami Beach EDITION (Miami Beach, Florida)
Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad (New York, New York)
Raines Law Room at The William (New York, New York)
White Limozeen at The Graduate Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)

Best US Hotel Bar: US West

Ardor at The West Hollywood EDITION (West Hollywood, California)
Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Phoenix, Arizona)
Mountaineering Club at Graduate Seattle Hotel (Seattle, Washington)
Pacific Standard at KEX Portland (Portland, Oregon)
Pint + Jigger at the Ala Moana Hotel (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Rise Over Run at the LINE Hotel (San Francisco, California)
Rudolph’s Bar & Tea at Freehand LA (Los Angeles, California)
The Manor Bar at Rosewood Miramar Beach (Montecito, California)
The Maybourne Bar at The Maybourne Hotel Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills, California)
The Ski Lodge at Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Best US Restaurant Bar: US Central*

Bar Pigalle (Detroit, Michigan)
Brennan’s Restaurant (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Coquette (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Daisies (Chicago, Illinois)
Espiritu Mezcaleria (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
Maple & Ash (Chicago, Illinois)
Rose Mary (Chicago, Illinois)
Spoon and Stable (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
The Loyalist (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US East

Amazonia (Washington DC)
Blossom Bar (Brookline, Massachusetts)
Bresca (Washington, DC)
Cosme (New York, New York)
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)
The Grey (Savannah, Georgia)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US West

Accomplice Bar (Los Angeles, California)
Bar Cecil (Palm Springs, California)
Cleaver — Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails (Las Vegas, Nevada)
L’Oursin (Seattle, Washington)
Lolo (San Francisco, California
Palomar (Portland, Oregon)
République (Los Angeles, California)
Strong Water Anaheim (Anaheim, California)
Valentine (Phoenix, Arizona)
Viridian (Oakland, California)

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US Central

Cobra (Columbus, Ohio)
daydreamer (Austin, Texas)
Equipment Room (Austin, Texas)
Good Night John Boy (Chicago, Illinois)
Jolie (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Lemon (Chicago, Illinois)
Murray’s Tavern (Austin, Texas)
Saint Valentine (Dallas, Texas)
The Eastman (Rochester, Michigan)
Wild Child (Kansas City, Missouri)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US East

Bartley Dunne’s (New York, New York)
Curean (Greenville, South Carolina)
Equal Measure (Boston, Massachusetts)
Jac’s On Bond (New York, New York)
Medium Cool (Miami Beach, Florida)
Papi Portland (Portland, Maine)
Paradise Lost (New York, New York)
Pretty Decent (Louisville, Kentucky)
Superbueno (New York, New York)
The Portrait Bar at The Fifth Avenue Hotel (New York, New York)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US West

Aphotic (San Francisco, California)
Bar Next Door (Los Angeles, California)
Cavaña at LUMA Hotel (San Francisco, California)
Dark Room (Seattle, Washington)
Dirty Pretty (Portland, Oregon)
Donna’s (Los Angeles, California)
FYPM (Phoenix, Arizona)
Hey Kiddo (Denver, Colorado)
Ok Yeah (Denver, Colorado)
STOA (San Francisco, California)

International Honorees

Best International Bar Team presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Best International Bar Team: Asia Pacific (APAC)

ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
ATLAS (Singapore)
Caretaker’s Cottage (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Dean & Nancy on 22 at the A by Adina Hotel (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Double Deuce Lounge (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Hope & Sesame Guangzhou (Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China)
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel (Singapore)
Native (Singapore)
Night Hawk (Singapore)
Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)

Best International Bar Team: Canada*

Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Cry Baby Gallery (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Dear Friend Bar (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Laowai (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
The Cloakroom Bar (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
The Coldroom (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Best International Bar Team: Europe

1930 Cocktail Bar (Milan, Italy)
Bar 1661 (Dublin, Ireland)
Cinquanta Spirito Italiano (Pagani, Italy)
Mirror Cocktail Bar at Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)
Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)
Satan’s Whiskers (London, England, UK)
Tayēr + Elementary (London, England, UK)
The Cambridge Public House (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
The Clumsies (Athens, Greece)

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

Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
CoChinChina (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
La Uat (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Rayo Cocktail Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Zapote Bar at Rosewood Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Best International Bar Team: Middle East & Africa (MEA)

COYA Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
fable (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
Front/Back Accra (Accra, Ghana)
Lost + Found Drinkery (Nicosia, Cyprus)
LPM Restaurant & Bar Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Mimi Kakushi (Dubai, UAE)
Salmon Guru Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Sin + Tax (Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa)
The Drinkery (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
Zuma Dubai (Dubai, UAE)

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patrón Tequila

Best International Cocktail Bar: Asia Pacific (APAC)

Above Board (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
BYRDI (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Caretaker’s Cottage (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
COA (Hong Kong, China)
Hope & Sesame Guangzhou (Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China)
Maybe Sammy (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
The Bellwood (Tokyo, Honshu, Japan)
The Cocktail Club (Jakarta, Javo, Indonesia)
ZEST (Seoul, South Korea)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Canada*

Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Cocktail Bar (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Dear Friend Bar (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Laowai (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Milky Way Cocktail Bar (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
The Cloakroom Bar (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
The Raven Room (Whistler, British Columbia, Canada)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Europe

🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name (London, UK)
Drink Kong (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
HIMKOK (Oslo, Østlandet, Norway)
Kwãnt (London, UK)
Line Athens (Athens, Greece)
Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)
Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)
Röda Huset (Stockholm, Södermanland and Uppland, Sweden)
Satan’s Whiskers (London, England, UK)
Three Sheets Bar (London, England, UK)

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

ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena des Indias, Bolívar, Colombia)
Bon Vivants (Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas)
Carnaval Bar (Lima, Peru)
El Barón Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Cartagena des Indias, Bolívar, Colombia)
Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
La Uat (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Oh No! Lulu (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Rayo Cocktail Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
The Liquor Store (São Paulo, Brazil)
Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Middle East & Africa (MEA)

CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
Dead End Paradise (Beirut, Lebanon)
Front/Back Accra (Accra, Ghana)
Galaxy Bar (Dubai, UAE)
Honeycomb Hi-Fi (Dubai, UAE)
Salmon Guru Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Shinkō (Cairo, Egypt)
Sin + Tax (Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa)
The Drinkery (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
The House of Machines (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Ford’s Gin

Best International Hotel Bar: Asia Pacific (APAC)

ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Bar Trigona at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand)
Charles H. at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul (Seoul, South Korea)
DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Dean & Nancy on 22 at the A by Adina Hotel (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel (Singapore)
The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok, Thailand)
VIRTÙ at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo Otemachi (Tokyo, Honshu, Japan)
Writers Bar at Raffles Singapore Hotel (Singapore)

Best International Hotel Bar: Canada

Bar 1608 at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (Québec City, Québec, Canada)
Bar George at Le Mount Stephen Hotel (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Clive’s Classic Lounge at Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails at Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Marcus Lounge and Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Montréal (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Nacarat at Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
The Lobby Lounge and RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Writers Room Bar at Park Hyatt (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Best International Hotel Bar: Europe*

Atrium Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (Florence, Tuscany, Italy)
Avra Bar at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (Athens, Greece)
Bar Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
Mirror Cocktail Bar at Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Punch Room at The Madrid EDITION (Madrid, Spain)
Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel (London, England, UK)
Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London (London, England, UK)
Super Lyan at Kimpton De Witt (Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands)
The Court at Palazzo Manfredi (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel (London, England, UK)
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese at Corinthia London (London, England, UK)

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

BEKEB at Hotel Casa Hoyos (San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico)
Carlotta Reforma at The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City (Mexico City, Mexico)
Fifty Mils at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City (Mexico City, Mexico)
Hotel B at Relais & Châteaux (Lima, Peru)
King Cole Bar at The St. Regis Mexico City (Mexico City, Mexico)
La Botica at Las Ventanas al Paraiso (Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Library by the Sea at Kimpton Seafire Resort (Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
NKIRU Bar at 45 by Director Hotel (Santiago, Chile)
Rabo di Galo at Rosewood São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil)
Zapote Bar at Rosewood Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Best International Hotel Bar: Middle East & Africa (MEA)*

Blind Tiger at Jumeirah Al Naseem (Dubai, UAE)
Electric Pawn Shop at the Dubai Hotel (Dubai, UAE)
Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge at Paramount Hotel Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Gigi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at the Gorgeous George Hotel (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
HERO at Trademark Hotel (Nairobi, Kenya)
Jiko Restaurant at Tribe Hotel (Nairobi, Kenya)
Library Bar at The Abu Dhabi EDITION (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Monkey Bar at 25hours Hotel (Dubai, UAE)
Smoke & Mirrors at SLS Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
The Bulgari Bar at the The Bulgari Resort Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
The Leopard Bar at the Twelve Apostles Hotel (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Gin Mare

Best International Restaurant Bar: Asia Pacific (APAC)

Alba Bar & Deli (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Burnt Ends (Singapore)
Caffe Fernet (Singapore)
Gimlet at Cavendish House (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Neon Pigeon (Singapore)
PANTJA (Jakarta, Javo, Indonesia)
Ralph’s Bar (Chengdu, Sichuan, China)
SG Low (Tokyo, Honshu, Japan)
Sugarhall (Singapore)
Vender Bar (Taichung City, Taiwan)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Canada

Bar Kismet (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Honō Izakaya (Québec City, Québec, Canada)
Le Majestique (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Major Tom (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provision (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Quetzal (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Restaurant Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Rouge Gorge (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
SUYO (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Europe

Angelita (Madrid, Spain)
Bar Lupo (Zürich, Switzerland)
Carico Milano (Milan, Lombardy, Italy)
Danico (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
Galileo (Barcelona, Spain)
Gucci Giardino 25 (Florence, Tuscany, Italy)
Hakkasan (London, England, UK)
Le Mary Celeste (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
Locale Firenze (Florence, Tuscany, Italy)
Sins of Sal (Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands)

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

ARCA Tulum (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
Aruba Day Drink Bar (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)
Bar Carmen Medellín (Medellín, Aburrá Valley, Colombia)
Casa Prunes (Mexico City, Mexico)
CoChinChina (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Jardín Tragos y Pasteles (Bogotá, Colombia)
Lady Bee (Lima, Peru)
Mamba Negra (Medellín, Aburrá Valley, Colombia)
Niño Gordo (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Tan Tan (São Paulo, Brazil)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Amelia Restaurant & Lounge (Dubai, UAE)
Asoka (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
Bôndai Restaurant & Bar (Accra, Ghana)
COYA Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Funky Monkey (Diani Beach, Kwale County, Kenya)
LPM Restaurant & Bar Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Mimi Kakushi (Dubai, UAE)
Roka Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
Upper Union (Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa)
Zuma Dubai (Dubai, UAE)

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Asia Pacific (APAC)

Apollo Inn (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Bar Leone (Hong Kong, China)
Bar Us (Bangkok, Thailand)
Cat Bite Club (Singapore)
El Primo Sanchez (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Fura (Singapore)
Puffy Bois Pizza (Singapore)
The Savory Project (Hong Kong, China)
The Waratah (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Tokyo Confidential (Tokyo, Honshu, Japan)

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Canada

Bar Bello (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Bar Bisou Bisou (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Bar Dominion (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Bon Délire (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
Charlie’s Watch Repair (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Electric Bill Bar (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Humboldt Bar at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
LE TIGRE (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Must be the Place (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Overpressure Club (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Europe*

Abstract Bistrot (Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France)
Bar Llama (Madrid, Spain)
Bar Nouveau (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
Dram Bar (London, England, UK)
Equal Parts (London, England, UK)
Groovy Fluids (Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands)
Rumore (Milan, Lombardy, Italy)
Savoy Brasserie & Bar at Mandarin Oriental Savoy (Zürich, Switzerland)
The Honey Moon (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
Twice Shy (London, England, UK)
Vesper Bar at The Dorchester (London, England, UK)
Viajante87 (London, England, UK)
Wacky Wombat (London, England, UK)

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

1929 Cocktail Bar (Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico)
Alofah Tiki Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
Bijou Drinkery Room (Mexico City, Mexico)
Booze The Bar Room (Lima, Peru)
Cielo Bar (La Paz, Pedro Domingo Murillo, Bolivia)
Cocktail & Bites (Bayamón, Puerto Rico)
Hoja Santa (Aguascalientes, Mexico)
SOFÁ – un bar (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
The Dilly Club (Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas)
The M Bar at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Middle East & Africa (MEA)

7 Tales at Grosvenor House (Dubai, UAE)
Kōzo Kigali (Kigali, Rwanda)
Ling Ling at Atlantis The Royal (Dubai, UAE)
Mii-Yao (Beirut, Lebanon)
Moonshine (Dubai, UAE)
No.19 Accra (Accra, Ghana)
SOON Izakaya (Dubai, UAE)
Soul Kitchen Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
The Smiths (Lagos, Nigeria)
Uchi DIFC (Dubai, UAE)

Note: An asterisk denotes a category with more than 10 honorees due to a tie.

Image: Shutterstock. Disclaimer: This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform.