Find out who won what at this year’s spectacular DMBA in Shanghai. By Holly Graham.
Though there may be a few sore heads and bleary eyes in the morning, DMBA 2018 was an unforgettable awards ceremony celebrating the best bars, brands and hospitality heroes in China and Asia for the third year running.
The awards took place at the Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai, with a rhythm-themed ceremony – a tribute to the beating heart of our industry and the shared pulse that connects us all from soul to shaker – punctuated by an opening percussion and dance performance. Guests dined on a four-course dinner paired with cocktails from world renowned bars Happiness Forgets (London), Native (Singapore), Coupette (London), The Dead Rabbit (New York), The Odd Couple (Shanghai) and Ago Perrone of Connaught Bar (London).
After the awards, the official afterparty is continuing at 1515 West Chophouse & Bar as we speak, with Fancy Free (Melbourne) slinging drinks and rare batch bottlers The Last Drop sharing drams of an exceptional 47-year-old whisky with the night’s winners.
Without further ado, here are all the winners of DMBA 2018:
Bartender of the Year (Asia), presented by Peddlers Gin
Agung Prabowo
Bar of the Year (Asia), presented by Montenegro
The Old Man, Hong Kong
International Bartender of the Year (New for 2018), presented by Cityson
Erik Lorincz
DMBA 2018 Bartender of the Year (China), presented by Gotham East, Luxardo, Cocchi, Nouaison
Jackie Lo 卢雪君
Bar of the Year (China), presented by Perrier
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Sustainability (New for 2018), presented by Nespresso
BACARDI No Straws Campaign
Innovation (New for 2018), presented by RATIO Coffee and Cocktail Bar
Cityson
Bartender Brand, presented by Thirsty Work Productions
Campari
Brand Ambassador, presented by Thirsty Work Productions
Ethan Liu 刘明, Proof & Company
Design, presented by Orrefors
Atelier by Taste Buds, Shanghai
Music Program, presented by K-Array
Shake, Shanghai
Wine Program, presented by Penfolds
Le Verre a Vin, Shanghai
Beer Program, presented by Boxing Cat Brewery
Jing-A Brewpub, Beijing
Service, presented by Small Batch Learning
Sober Company, Shanghai
Restaurant Bar of the Year, presented by Licor 43
Sober Company, Shanghai
High Volume Bar, presented by Jack Daniel’s
Le Baron, Shanghai
Hotel Bar, presented by Summergate Fine Wine & Spirits
EQUIS, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Cocktail Program, presented by Havana Club
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Bar Team, presented by Chivas Regal
Sober Company, Shanghai
Entrepreneurship (New for 2018), presented by Hennessy
金衆磊 Kin, Constellation
Founders Award, presented by Thirsty Work Productions
杨大庆 Eddy Yang
