PUBLISHED May 1st, 2017 06:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:26 pm
From Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants to the Michelin Guide, to the World Gourmet Summit, there are more than a few awarding bodies that recognize the hard work of gastronomy and restaurants. The number of respected organisations that shine the light on bars and the people behind it, however, pale in comparison. Besides Asia’s 50 Best Bars, The Bar Awards is pretty much the only people we know that acknowledges their effort and dedication. After wrapping up the inaugural edition of The Bar Awards Bangkok last month, the roving team is headed to Singapore next for its fourth iteration, with the awards ceremony and party slated for 18 June 2017.
While the party is industry-only, what you can do to help your favourite bars and bartenders is to give them a thumbs up via the public nominations system set up here, from now till 14 May 2017. This year, there are 10 award categories in total that our local bars can vie for, and these are decided by The Lead Panel, a gathering of 10 industry leaders of the Singapore bar community including Guoyi Gan (co-founder of the Jigger & Pony Group), Naz Arjuna (Head Bartender of Bitters & Love), Ivy Woo (co-founder of Singapore Cocktail Festival), and Denise Tan (Group Marketing Communications Manager of Unlisted Collection).
The Rising Star, presented by Perrier
Formerly titled Young Bartender of the Year, this award is part of The Bar Awards’ mission to encourage growth and development within the Singapore bar community by motivating new blood to join the hospitality industry. To be considered, nominees must be born on or after 1 January 1992 (25 years old and below) and must be currently bartending in an establishment in Singapore as of the nomination date.
Best Restaurant Bar
This one is for the restaurants that affords diners a great beverage program to accompany their food. Diners are expecting more, and a well thought out beverage program enhances an already memorable dining experience. To be considered for this category, establishments must be, first and foremost, a dining venue.
Best Beer Experience, presented by Pilsner Urquell
This award recognizes an establishment with a well-curated beer offering that is also backed by knowledgeable and passionate people. Beer culture – craft beer in particular – continues to grow in Singapore this year and nominated establishments should be taking great strides in providing a great beverage paired with an overall great drinking experience.
Best Hospitality Team
Teamwork makes all the difference between a good bar and an excellent one, don’t you think? The Best Hospitality Team awards the most hospitable service team that compliments the bar’s already excellent beverage program.
Best Bar Food
While it might sound similar to the Best Restaurant Bar award, this category recognises the Singapore bar with the most delicious bar food (rather than a restaurant with a great beverage programme). The beverage program of a bar, more often than not, overshadows the chefs, regardless of how talented or creative they are. Basically, this is a nod to the people who keep your tummy happy at midnight.
Best Wine Experience
No longer about the largest collection or the most vintages, the Best Wine Experience looks at wine lists and wine bars in a new light by recognising establishments who put effort into curating an exciting, innovative wine list and works hard to educate through passion.
Most Creative Cocktail Bar, presented by Cointreau
If there ever was an accolade that recognizes innovation, this is it. From sourcing the best ingredients and using the best spirits, and to the mise en place for the most unique and complicated cocktails, it’s a lot of hard work and extremely time consuming to be creative for one drink, let alone an entire bar program.
Best New Cocktail Bar, presented by Campari
Opening a bar is difficult, and takes a lot of leadership, hard work and talent. People who put together a great bar, set high standards for new entrants to the bar community, and who have made an impact on the local cocktail culture should be acknowledged. To be considered, the establishment must be open on or after 1 May 2016.
Bartender of the Year, presented by Bacardi
Awarded to a bartender whose skills, knowledge, and the ability to connect with people are extraordinary beyond measure, the level of hospitality extended by this individual is an experience in itself. To be considered, nominees must be bartending on shift at least two nights a week in an establishment in Singapore as of the nomination date.
Best Cocktail Bar, presented by Stolichnaya Vodka
An establishment that exceeds expectations and strives for the most outstanding bar experience, the Best Cocktail Bar has impeccable service, warm hospitality, superbly crafted cocktails, a well-curated beverage program, delectable food offerings, and a mesmerising ambience. In the nutshell, the bar has to continually impress, night after night.
Help The Bar Awards remain the most objective and independent awarding body for the bar and beverage industry in Asia by nominating here. When bars and bartenders have cause to celebrate, consumers win too!
All images courtesy of The Bar Awards Singapore 2016.