Connaught Bar in London was named World’s Best 2016 at the Annual Spirited Awards. Saxon + Parole in New York took was crowned “Best American Restaurant Bar.”
For the past nine years, The Spirited Awards have recognized the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers and experts, becoming the industry’s most prestigious and coveted award. Winners were voted on by a panel of more than 100 industry experts.
The World’s Best Bar award was the final award announced at the Spirited Awards and quite possibly the most coveted with competition between bars from every corner of the world. The winner of the World’s Best Bar award was determined by the most total votes for both American and International finalists in the following categories: Best High Volume Cocktail Bar, Best Hotel Bar, Best Restaurant Bar, Best Cocktail Bar or World’s Best Cocktail Menu. Ultimately it was The Connaught Bar at the Connaught in London that took home the Spirited Award and the bragging rights that come with being honored as the world’s best.
“Every year these awards get harder and harder to win as the talent in our industry continues to grow.” said Ann Tuennerman, Founder of Tales of the Cocktail. “I want to thank our judges who were up for the tallest of tasks in deciding the best among all the incredible and deserving nominees.”
Other winners include:
- Best American Restaurant Bar: Saxon + Parole (New York);
- American Bartender of the Year: Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Clyde Common (Portland);
- Best American Cocktail Bar: Smuggler’s Cove (San Francisco);
- Best American Hotel Bar: The Elephant Bar at The NoMad (New York);
- Best New American Cocktail Bar: Sweet Liberty (Miami Beach);
- Best American Bar Team: ABV San Francisco;
- Best American Brand Ambassador: Colin Asare-Appiah (Bacardi);
- Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar: Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas);
- Best New American Cocktail Bar: Sweet Liberty (Miami Beach);
- Best International Bar Team: American Bar at the Savoy (London);
- Best International Restaurant Bar: Hawksmoor Spitalfields (London);
- International Bartender of the Year: Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five (Tokyo);
- Best International Cocktail Bar: Happiness Forgets (London).
