Everything you need to know about the China industry’s big night.
Well what a night that was! A few hoarse voices and sore heads this morning after an unforgettable awards ceremony (and afterparty) to celebrate the first DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards.
The awards themselves took place at Shanghai’s Wanda Reign on the Bund, with the black tie Prohibition themed ceremony – which featured a four-course dinner paired with drinks from Dandelyan in London alongside music from the house band of Nightjar and Oriole, the Bootleg Trio – also being livestreamed over the internet.
After the event, everyone decamped to High Line to toast the winners and how far the Chinese bar industry has come. So without further ado, here are the inaugural winners of the DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards for China:
Brand Activation: The Chivas Masters Cocktail Competition. Presented by Theo Watt of DRiNK Magazine.
Bartender Brand: Fernet-Branca. Presented by Theo Watt of DRiNK Magazine
Brand Ambassador: Erik Andersson, Hendrick’s Gin. Presented by Dan Bignold of DRiNK Magazine and Adam Leibrandt of Small Batch Learning
Beer Program: Liquid Laundry, Shanghai. Presented by Jonathan White of DRiNK Magazine.
Restaurant Bar: The Nest, Shanghai. Presented by Ian Ford of Summergate Fine Wines and Spirits.
Wine Program: Otto e Mezzo, Shanghai. Presented by Ian Ford of Summergate Fine Wines and Spirits.
Sommelier: James Teng, Hakkasan. Presented by William Wu of Perrier-Jouët.
Design: The Nest, Shanghai. Presented by Lucy Zhang of YZY.
Hotel Bar: The Long Bar, Waldorf Astoria, Shanghai. Presented by Murray Campbell of The Botanist.
High Volume Bar: The Nest, Shanghai. Presented by Carol Cheng of Remy Cointreau.
Service: Tailor Bar, Shanghai. Presented by Chivas Regal Whisky.
Cocktail Program: Speak Low, Shanghai. Presented by Iain Griffiths of Mr Lyan Ltd.
Bar Team: The Union Trading Company, Shanghai. Presented by David Hackett of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Founders Award: Kin-San. Presented by Theo Watt and Dan Bignold of DRiNK Magazine
Bartender of the Year: Yao Lu, The Union Trading Company, Shanghai. Presented by Craig Swindell of Chivas Regal Whisky.
Bar of the Year: The Union Trading Company, Shanghai. Presented by Kin-San, the recipient of our Founders Award, on behalf of all of the supporting brands of the DRiNK Magazine Bar Awards 2016
Look out for videos and more photos of DMBA on WeChat and our website coming soon.
