Public voting begins today and ends June 9.
The Bar Awards returns to Hong Kong and Macau next month for its fourth edition of celebrating the best and brightest in the two SAR’s bar, beverage and hospitality industries.
“We’re looking to do something a little different in 2019,” says Sandeep Hathiramani, co-founder and editor of The Bar Awards Hong Kong and Macau. “We’re concentrating a lot more on education and growth – we want to help both new and existing establishments sustain their businesses for years to come. Hong Kong is the leading capital for cocktails and bars, with the help of Bar Talks and The Bar Awards, Hong Kong can maintain that lead.”
The programming for the Hong Kong and Macau awards will include an entire day of education, demonstrations, tastings and Bar Talks. Speakers and educators will include some of Hong Kong’s most savvy business owners and operators, as well as renowned international speakers including Indra Kantono, co-owner of five highly successful Singaporean establishments (Jigger & Pony, Humpback, Flagship, Gibson and Caffe Fernet). He’ll be sharing his in-depth knowledge on how to build a successful f&b empire at this years’ Bar Talks.
The Hong Kong Lead Panel selected the categories for the awards this year, they are made up of the following industry leaders:
- Arcadius Rybak, Rosewood Hotel
- Gagan Gurung, Fang Fang
- Gerry Olino, Ming Fat House Group
- Jay Khan, Coa
- Jenny So, Leung Yick
- John Nugent, Leading Nation Group
- Maxence Traverse, Honi Honi
- Samuel Kwok, Quinary (Tastings Group)
- Sandra Kwong, BestBev HK
- Tom Wood, High Spirits
- Zoltan Konczol, Campari Group
The Bar Awards Hong Kong and Macau calendar of events starts from Thursday, July 25 leading up to the awards party and announcement on Sunday, July 28.
Public Nominations are open from today (Monday, May 27) and close on Sunday, June 9. Cast your votes for the 13 Hong Kong and two Macau categories here.
The 13 Hong Kong and two Macau categories are listed below:
The Bar Awards Luminaries presented by the House of Angostura
The inductees to The Bar Awards Luminaries are those that have greatly contributed to the growth and development of the Hong Kong and Macau bar community. The inductees are nominated by the general public, voted by The Panel and finally decided by the Lead Panel. The 2019 inductees will be announced at The Bar Awards Hong Kong and Macau awards party on Sunday, July 28.
The Rising Star
Who is the best bartender that has recently joined the hospitality industry that is 25 years old or younger? The candidate must be born on or after January 1 1994, must be working in an establishment in Hong Kong that serves alcohol as of the nomination date and previous winners are not eligible to be a finalist or a winner of this award.
Restaurant Bar of the Year presented by Tito’s Vodka
Which restaurant has the best bar program and bar team? This award recognises the best beverage program and bar team in a restaurant establishment that is providing their customers with a great dining and beverage experience. The nominated establishment must serve food created by a designated culinary team.
Beer Bar of the Year presented by Peroni
Which establishment has the most knowledgeable team, an exciting – but not necessary the largest – beer selection and provides the best in beer enjoyment experience? This award acknowledges the hard-working establishments that is providing a well curated beer selection that is making beer drinking an enjoyable educational experience.
Hotel Bar of the Year, presented by Restaurant, Pub and Bar Asia
Which is the best hotel bar? This award aims to encourage more hotels to develop and create better bar programs for their guests and in turn create more opportunities within the local community for growth. A hotel bar is classified as a bar that is managed by the hotel, using the hotel’s facilities, resources and manpower to help add to the bar’s success. Establishments that are renting/occupying a space on a hotel property is not eligible for this category.
Specialist Concept of the Year
This award recognises an establishment that offers a unique, specialised and focused concept as well as a well curated experience. The Bar Awards hopes this new category will encourage new and unique concepts to be developed that both broadens the mind and allows everyone to experience something a little different in Hong Kong.
Hospitality Ambassador of the Year
Which individual exudes and provides the best hospitality for their guests? This award aims to acknowledge an individual that is providing the best hospitality to all of their guests as well as encouraging others to choose and join the hospitality industry. The candidate must be working in an establishment in Hong Kong that serves alcohol as of the nomination date. This category is open to anyone who works an establishment, including chefs, bartenders, wait staff, finance/back of house and so on.
Hospitality Team of the Year presented by Hendrick’s Gin
Which establishment provides the best hospitality for their guests? This award aims to recognise the hard work and effort of an establishment that exudes the values of hospitality. These may include but not be limited to: making the guest feel welcome; making the guest comfortable; looking after the guest’s happiness and so forth.
Cocktail of the Year
Which is the best cocktail in Hong Kong? As a city full of renowned bars, these bars have become famous for the specific cocktails that they serve. This category is open for a specific drink made in a specific establishment. Drinks with one ingredient are not eligible for this category.
Creative Cocktail Bar of the Year
Which establishment has the most creative cocktail program? This award aims to recognise and acknowledge the hard work and effort that a team puts into creating the most innovative, unique and creative collection of cocktails.
New Bar of the Year presented by Campari
Which is the best new establishment that has been opened in the last year? This award aims to encourage more new f&b establishments to open to create new jobs and opportunities for that city. This awards recognises and acknowledges the greatest bars that have opened within the last one year. The nominated establishment must have been opened for one year or less as of their nomination date.
Bartender of the Year, Macau
Who is the best bartender, role model, leader, mentor and all-round good person in Macau? This award aims to recognise and acknowledge the hard work of an outstanding talent within the local bar and beverage community. This person should be assessed not only on how they are during their work hours but also how they represent themselves, their colleagues, their workplace and their community outside of work. The candidate must be working in an establishment in Macau that serves alcohol as of the nomination date.
Bartender of the Year, Hong Kong presented by Monkey Shoulder
Who is the best bartender, role model, leader, mentor and all-round good person in Hong Kong?
Bar of the Year, Macau
Which is the best bar in Macau? This award aims to recognise and acknowledge the hard work of an outstanding bar team in the local bar and beverage community. This bar should be assessed on every factor that makes a great bar. This may include but not be limited to: experience; atmosphere; skills; hospitality; price; profitability; cleanliness and so forth.
Bar of the Year, Hong Kong presented by Monin
Which is the best bar in Hong Kong?
