Find out who won what at DMBA 2019 in Shanghai. By Holly Graham.
For the fourth year running, the 2019 edition of DMBA was a spectacular event which celebrated the best bartenders, bars, brands and hospitality heroes of China and Asia’s bar industry at the stunning Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.
One of the big Asia winners of the night was Jay Khan, who won Bartender of the Year (Asia) and Bar of the Year (Asia) for his agave haven COA (Hong Kong). 2019 saw a new award for Asia – Bar Team (Asia) – which was scooped by The Old Man (Hong Kong).
DMBA 2019’s Winter Wonderland-themed ceremony featured live performances from one of China’s top hip-hop artists – Tang King, and Lime Dance, a Shanghai-based studio whose choreographers, directors and dancers specialise in everything from jazz funk and Zumba to ballet and lyrical contemporary dance.
Before the gourmet four-course dinner, close to 650 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with stellar drinks from world renowned bartenders Erik Lorincz, Joe Schofield, Agung Prabowo, Beckaly Franks, Shingo Gokan, Ali Burgess, Martin Hudak and many more.
After the awards, the official afterparty is continuing right now over two floors at Calypso Bar & Lounge. On the first floor, Beckaly Franks (The Pontiac, Hong Kong) and Kiki Moka (The Union Group, Jakarta) are keeping the party going with Remy Cointreau drinks and on the second floor, the dynamic Italian duo of Vincenzo Pagliara (Arch by Taste Buds) Rudi Carraro (Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo) are shaking up Montenegro cocktails.
DMBA 2019 crowned 22 bars, brands and people and here, without further ado, is a list of all the winners:
Bar Team (Asia) (New for 2019)
Presented by Luxardo
The Old Man, Hong Kong
Bartender of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Peddlers Gin
Jay Khan
Bar of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Amaro Montenegro
COA, Hong Kong
International Bartender of the Year
Presented by Jiangxiaobai
Martin Hudak
Sustainability Award
Presented by Bacardi
The Hope & Sesames
Innovation Award
Presented by U.S. Cranberry
24/7 by Secoo
Bartender Brand
Presented by DRiNK Magazine
Peddlers Gin
Brand Ambassador
Presented by Small Batch Learning
Craig Swindell – Chivas Regal
Design Award
Presented by Campari
Arch by Taste Buds, Shanghai
Music Program
Presented by Chandon
E.P.I.C., Shanghai
Wine Program
Presented by Ray Fine Wines
Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen, Shanghai
Beer Program
Presented by Viola
Stone Brewing Tap Room, Shanghai
Service Award
Presented by Rémy Martin
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Restaurant Bar
Presented by Aperitivo Select
Hakkasan, Shanghai
High Volume Bar
Presented by Woodford Reserve
Atelier by Taste Buds, Shanghai
Hotel Bar
Presented by Fever-Tree
Punch Room – The Shanghai EDITION
Cocktail Program
Presented by Cointreau
Sober Company, Shanghai
Entrepreneurship Award
Presented by Hennessy
Taste Buds
Founders Award
Presented by Thirsty Work Productions
Cross Yu
Bar Team
Presented by Chivas Regal
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Bartender of the Year
Presented by Monkey 47
Cross Yu
Bar of the Year
Presented by Maker’s Mark
Sober Company, Shanghai
