The Bar Awards Finally Coming to Bangkok
Launched in Singapore in 2014, The Bar Awards quickly gained support from the restaurant and bar industry in the region. Following its success in Singapore and Hong Kong, The Bar Awards is now having its debut in Thailand, starting with The Bar Awards Picnic, a public event at Roots to international guest bartenders shaking it up at the best cocktail bars in Bangkok and closes with The Bar Awards Party celebrations on 23 April 2017, where some of the very best of Bangkok’s lively bar scene are honored through 12 award categories.
Fun Size, the team behind The Bar Awards joins forces with the renowned bar management & operation agency Kin Plus and mixologist Boudy Ghostine to make the first installment of The Bar Awards an unforgettable event by bringing people together, increasing awareness of the Thai culture of hospitality, recognising achievements and excellence of individuals working in the F&B industry, and hopefully, throwing the biggest Bangkok bar and beverage industry party of 2017.
As a proud Thai, I’m over the moon to be able to bring The Bar Awards to the city I grew up.
An important part of The Bar Awards are the lead panel members who are responsible for choosing the award categories and the other members of the panel. This year the lead panel consists of Chanond Purananda from Hyde & Seek, Suwincha Singsuwan from Rabbit Hole, Pongpak Sudthipongse from Sorrento, Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn from Backstage Cocktail Bar, Vasachol Quadri from The Momentum, Pailin Sajjanit from Zuma, Suwan Seelee from Cielo Sky Bar, Niks Anuman-Radjadhon from Teens of Thailand, Minway Chi from Bootleggers and Knut Randhem from Dictador.
12 Award Categories
The Bar Awards Bangkok 2017 officially begun with a two-week long Public Nominations process, starting from 1 March to 14 March 2017. This nomination and voting system allow for members of the public to give their favorite bars and bartenders a vote.
Here is the complete list of the official Bar Awards 2017 categories:
1. Best Cocktail Bar, presented by Stolichnaya
The Best Cocktail Bar is the establishment that endlessly exceeds guests’ experiences and expectations each and every time that they are visited. The experience is beyond excellence with impeccable service, warm hospitality and superbly crafted cocktails.
2. Bartender of the Year
The Bartender of the Year is an award given to the bartender whose skills, knowledge, and the ability to connect with people is extraordinary beyond measure.
3. The Ada Coleman Award
An award dedicated to hard work and achievements of Ada Coleman and aims to encourage and inspire female individuals to work in the industry through the hard work and achievements of female mentors and role models.
4. Best New Cocktail Bar, presented by Campari
This award recognizes a new establishment that has made a positive impact on the local cocktail culture and bar scene.
5. Most Creative Cocktail Bar, presented by Cointreau
This award recognizes the establishment with the most innovative cocktail program.
6. Best Hotel Bar
This award recognizes a hotel that delights its guests with an excellent bar and beverage experience.
7. Best Hospitality Team
This award recognizes that it is teamwork that makes the difference between a good bar and an excellent one.
8. Best Bar Food
The award recognizes the Bangkok bar with the most delicious bar food.
9. Best Bar & Beverage Publication
The Best Bar & Beverage Publication is a new award added specifically to recognize those individuals and publications that spend countless hours visiting establishments, conducting interviews, fact checking and researching to craft the perfect article.
10. Best Beer Bar, presented by Peroni
This award recognizes an establishment with a well-curated beer offering that is also backed by knowledgeable and passionate people.
11. Best Restaurant Bar
This award recognizes a restaurant that appreciates that diners want a great beverage program to accompany their food.
12. The Rising Star, presented by Perrier
The Rising Star is Bangkok’s own Young Bartender of the Year award.
Once the Public Nominations have closed, the selection continues with two rounds of voting by the panel (The panel consists of around 30 members of the F&B industry, including bar professionals, drink connoisseurs, journalists and chefs).
The first round of voting will decide the Top 10, a short list of contenders for each category (which will be announced on 29 March 2017) and the second round will then determine the winners.
The winners of each category will be announced at The Bar Awards Party on 23 April 2017.
Two Events to look forward to!
The Bar Awards Picnic at Roots
The Bar Awards will host a public event on 22nd April, one day prior to the winner awards party. The event will take place at Roots, a new bar and restaurant located at K Village, Sukhumvit 26. Be ready to party and have the chance to try award-winning cocktails from 12 international bartenders and a good selection of food.
The Bar Awards Party
The final date for The Bar Awards will be on the 23rd of April where each winner of the 12 categories will be announced. While the event at Roots is accessible for the public, this party is limited to the industry professionals.
You can find out more about The Bar Awards by following them on their official Facebook.