Anyone with a Facebook account can’t have failed to notice that Tales of the Cocktail took place last week.
Amongst the sweat and hangover-related status updates, it sounds like the cocktail festival was a success. BarLifeUK didn’t attend this year, but we have it on good authority that Jake Burger and Dean Callan’s pineapple session was the seminar star of the show.
Tales’ closing event is traditionally the Spirited Awards dinner, and for several years the UK’s bars and bartenders have shown well in, if not dominated, the international categories.
Not so this year, with all of the bar-related categories going to American (or USA-based) winners, most notably New York’s Dead Rabbit picking up ‘best new bar’ and ‘world’s best cocktail menu’ awards. Drink in Boston claimed ‘world’s best bar’.
However, it would appear that British drinks writing remains at the top of the pile, with all of the journalism and writing awards going to Brits. Congratulations to Difford’s Guides (best publication), Gaz Regan (best author – he may be a ‘Mercan now, but he’s still technically an Englishman) and Tony Conigliaro (best new book).
Well played to all of the UK’s venues and bartenders who made it to the final four in their categories… Next time! And a doff of the cap to Jacob Briars for his best ambassador award.
Full list of awards winners
- International Bartender of the Year – Jack McGarry, The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York, USA
- World’s Best Cocktail Bar – Drink, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu – The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York, USA
- World’s Best New Cocktail Bar – The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York, USA
- World’s Best Drink Selection – Canon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium, Seattle, Washington, USA
- World’s Best Hotel Bar – The NoMad Hotel, New York, New York, USA
- Best International Brand Ambassador – Jacob Briars, Bacardi portfolio
- Best New Product – Fords Gin, The 86 Co, London, UK
- Best Restaurant Bar – Saxon & Parole Restaurant, New York, New York, USA
- Best High Volume Cocktail Bar – Clover Club, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- American Bartender of the Year – Charles Joly, The Aviary, Chicago, Illinois
- Best American Brand Ambassador – Todd Richman, Sidney Frank Portfolio
- Best American Cocktail Bar – Clover Club, Brooklyn, New York
- Best Bar Mentor – Julie Reiner, Brooklyn, New York
- Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending) – Drinks by Tony Conigliaro, London, UK
- Best Cocktail Writing – Author – Gary Regan, New York, New York, USA
- Best Cocktail Writing – Publication – DiffordsGuide.com, UK
- Helen David Award for Lifetime Achievement – Salvatore Calabrese, Salvatore’s Bar at Playboy Club, London, UK