With two new categories open to Asia bars and bartenders this year, check out who’s in the running for our very own awards ahead of the ceremony in Shanghai on November 19. By Jonathan White
After a successful first year celebrating everything that is great about the China bar scene in the first DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards in 2016, the ceremony is back for 2017 and has expanded to include its first ever categories acknowledging the region.
DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards 2017 features two new Asia categories – Bartender of the Year Asia and Bar of the Year Asia – and the shortlists for both have been revealed following the nominations from this year’s first Asia Academy, made up of industry experts based across the region.
This coincides with the announcement of the Top 4s in 14 of the China awards – with only the internally decided Founders Award remaining top secret until the ceremony itself at the W Shanghai on November 19. Read on to see which bars, brands and people remain in the running for a solid silver shaker.
Here they are in all their glory.
Bartender of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Fernet-Branca
Your favourite bartender right now in Asia, in terms of skills, personality, anything. Any nationality allowed, but they must be living and working in the region as a bartender.
Nominations:
Agung Prabowo (The Old Man, Hong Kong)
Joe Schofield (Tippling Club, Singapore)
Shingo Gokan (Speak Low & Sober Company, Shanghai)
Vijay Mudaliar (Native, Singapore)
Bar of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Luxardo
The bar you believe currently to be the best in the business. Can be in any city in the region.
Nominations:
Atlas, Singapore
Manhattan, Singapore
Speak Low, Shanghai
Stockton, Hong Kong
Bartender Brand
Presented by DRiNK Magazine
When you go out to a bar or finish work, which brand do you drink? When industry friends come to visit your bar, what do you offer them? Can be a spirit, beer or wine.
Nominations:
Bacardi
Chivas Regal
Jameson
Plantation
Brand Ambassador
Presented by DRiNK Magazine
The brand ambassador you think has made it their mission to not just push the brand they work for but the whole culture of bartending in China. Any nationality allowed, but must work in Mainland China (including as part of a regional role).
Nominations:
Craig Swindell (Chivas Regal)
Eddy Yang 杨大庆 (Perrier)
Ethan Liu 刘明 (Proof and Company)
Ouyang Zhian 欧阳智安 (Monin)
Beer Program
Presented by Boxing Cat Brewery
The beer-focused venue you believe is offering the best quality and variety of beer and is helping the most to bring education and passion to the category. Can be anywhere in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Goose Island Brewhouse, Shanghai
Great Leap Brewing, Beijing
Jing A Brewing Co, Beijing
The Cannery, Shanghai
Restaurant Bar of the Year
Presented by Carpano Antica Formula
The restaurant you believe most successfully also creates the joy of a great bar. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Hakkasan, Shanghai
Migas, Beijing
Sober Company, Shanghai
The Cannery, Shanghai
Wine Program
Presented by Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits
The wine program that you believe has not just the quantity, but more importantly the quality and variety, and is packaged and communicated in the best way. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Hakkasan, Shanghai
Jean-Georges, Shanghai
Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen, Shanghai
Temple Restaurant Beijing, Beijing
Music Program
Presented by Bacardi
The venue that you believe goes above and beyond when it comes to elevating the guest experience through its audio output. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Janes & Hooch, Beijing
JZ Club, Shanghai
The Cannery, Shanghai
The Nest, Shanghai
Design
Presented by Monkey 47
The bar you believe to have the best design, either in terms of its interior, exterior, branding or the function of its operations. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Sober Company, Shanghai
Speak Low, Shanghai
The Cannery, Shanghai
Hotel Bar of the Year
Presented by Mumm
The hotel bar that you believe pushes beyond great design to really deliver a five-star experience. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
Atmosphere, China World Summit Wing Beijing
Mei, Rosewood Beijing
The 1515 West Bar, Jing’an Shangri La West Shanghai
The Ritz Bar & Lounge, Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai
High Volume Bar of the Year
Presented by Cointreau
The most successful high volume, high-energy bar or nightclub that you believe tirelessly pushes out the best drinks while having the best time doing it. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
D Lounge, Beijing
Le Baron, Shanghai
Revolucion Cocktail, Shanghai
The Cannery, Shanghai
Service
Presented by Chivas Regal
The bar you believe excels in service. Everything from the first welcome to the final goodbye. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
E.P.I.C., Shanghai
Janes & Hooch, Beijing
The Cannery, Shanghai
The Union Trading Company, Shanghai
Cocktail Program
Presented by Ask Jerry
The bar, club, restaurant or hotel bar you believe has the best menu when it comes to cocktails, from techniques and flavours to philosophy and identity. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
E.P.I.C, Shanghai
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
The Union Trading Company, Shanghai
Tour, Shanghai
Bar Team of the Year
Presented by Chivas Regal
The team that loves what they do, communicates their passion for the job and creates the best atmosphere inside and outside their bar. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
E.P.I.C., Shanghai
Janes & Hooch, Beijing
Sober Company, Shanghai
Speak Low, Shanghai
Bartender of the Year (China)
Presented by Chivas Regal
Your favourite bartender right now in China, in terms of skills, personality, anything. Any nationality allowed, but they must be living and working in Mainland China as a bartender.
Nominations:
Atsushi Suzuki
Carson Xie 谢俊
Cross Yu 余天音
Eddy Yang 杨大庆
Bar of the Year (China)
Presented By Chivas Regal, Ask Jerry, Monkey 47, Mumm, Bacardi, Luxardo, Cointreau, Fernet-Branca, Carpano Antica Formula, American Express
The bar you believe currently to be the best in the business. Can be in any city in Mainland China.
Nominations:
E.P.I.C., Shanghai
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Janes & Hooch, Beijing
Speak Low, Shanghai
Join us! Tickets are still available if you would like to join us at the DMBA ceremony in Shanghai on Sunday, November 19. Priced at ¥1,500 for individual tickets and ¥16,000 for tables of 12. Contact dmba@drinkmagazine.asia to get yours.
If you can’t be there, then stay tuned to the website and our official WeChat account on November 20 to see the results.
