Public voting begins today and closes August 18.
The Bar Awards returns to Singapore next month for its sixth edition, recognising the best venues and hospitality heroes of the city.
After a successful series of Bar Talks in Hong Kong and Macau, Singapore will see the inaugural implementation of the educational platform, featuring an entire day of panel discussions, talks and demonstrations tackling the issues being faced by the Singaporean bar community. As usual, the lead up to the announcement of the winners on September 29 will come after a few days on fun-filled guest shifts, beginning on September 26.
The Singapore Lead Panel selected the categories for the awards this year; they are made up of the following industry leaders:
- Andrew Yap, The Old Man Singapore
- Charmaine Thio, Hendrick’s Gin, William Grant and Sons
- Colin Chia, Nutmeg and Clove and London Essence Asia Pacific
- Denise Tan, Bacardi-Martini Pte Ltd
- Gerald Lu, Praelum Wine Bistro
- Guoyi Gan, Jigger and Pony group
- June Lee, Wine and spirits writer
- Kamil Foltan, IB HQ
- Kasster Soh, Freehouse
- Peter Chua, Diplomatico Rum and Junior The Pocket Bar
Public Nominations are open from today (Monday, August 5) and close on Sunday, August 18. Cast your vote for your favourite bars and bartenders here.
The 13 Singapore 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 Singaporean bar community. This award may honour an individual, a number of individuals, a group and/or an initiative. 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 Singapore 2019 party on Sunday September 29, 2019.
The previous inductees are…
- Colin Chia
- Din Hassan
- Michael D. Callahan
The Rising Star presented by Perrier
Who is the best bartender age 25 years old or younger that has recently joined the hospitality industry? The candidate must be born on or after January 1, 1994 and must be working in an establishment in Singapore that serves alcohol as of the nomination date. Previous winners are not eligible to be a finalist or a winner of this award.
Restaurant Bar of the Year presented by Tito’s Handmade 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 necessarily the largest – beer selection, and provides the best in beer enjoyment experience? This award acknowledges a hard-working establishment that is providing a well curated beer selection, making beer drinking an enjoyable educational experience.
Hotel Bar of the Year
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 for growth within the local community. 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 hotel property are not eligible for this category.
Specialist Concept of the Year
This award recognises an establishment that offers a unique, specialised and focused concept as a well curated experience. The Bar Awards hopes this category will encourage new and unique concepts to be developed which both broaden the mind and allow everyone to experience something a little different in Singapore.
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Who is the best brand ambassador in Singapore? This award wants to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of an outstanding individual who upholds the values of community, growth and education, as well as the values of their own organisation. The candidate must be based in Singapore as a valid working visa holder, hold permanent residence or be a Singaporean citizen.
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 Singapore that serves alcohol as of the nomination date. This category is open to anyone who works in that establishment, including chefs, bartenders, waitstaff, 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 a team 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.
Creative Cocktail Bar of the Year presented by Cointreau
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 opened in the last year? This award recognises and acknowledges the greatest bars that have opened within the last one year, aiming to encourage the opening of further new f&b establishments which thus creates new jobs and opportunities for the city. The nominated establishment must have been opened for one year or less as of the nomination date.
Bartender of the Year presented by Monkey Shoulder
Who is the best bartender, role model, leader, mentor and all-round good person in Singapore? 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 Singapore that serves alcohol as of the nomination date.
Bar of the Year presented by Monin
Which is the best bar in Singapore? This award aims to recognise and acknowledge the hard work of an outstanding bar team in the local bar and beverage community, assessed on every factor that makes a great bar. This may include but not be limited to: experience, atmosphere, skills, hospitality, pricing, profitability, cleanliness and so forth.
