It has been an emotional year at Tales of the Cocktail, and the 2018 Spirited Awards were a culmination of this passionate celebration of the bar world. It is undeniable that TOTC has been very different and the new team decided to move one of the industry’s biggest events to a new venue at the iconic Orpheum Theater with an entirely different style and format. The room was packed with the bar world’s biggest names and brightest stars. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award to John Lermayer. A tremendous friend and mentor to so many, his spirit has been felt all over this year’s festival and the incredibly sentimental and moving presentation of the award celebrated his legacy to John reaffirmed that he will always live on in hospitality history and our hearts.
Here are this year’s winner of the prestigious crystal plate trophy and you can watch the full award show HERE.
2018 Spirited Award Winners:
American Categories
- Best American Bar Team – Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL
- American Bartender of the Year – Yael Vengroff, The Spare Room, Los Angeles, CA
- Best American Brand Ambassador – Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America
- Best American Cocktail Bar – Lost Lake, Chicago, IL
- Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar – The NoMad Bar, New York City, NY
- Best American Hotel Bar – The Broken Shaker Miami at The Freehand, Miami, FL
- Best American Restaurant Bar – Clyde Common, Portland, OR
- Best New American Cocktail Bar – Navy Strength, Seattle, WA
International Categories
- Best International Bar Team – The American Bar, The Savoy, London
- International Bartender of the Year – Joe Schofield, Tippling Club, Singapore
- Best International Brand Ambassador – Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador
- Best International Cocktail Bar – Happiness Forgets, London
- Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar – The Clumsies, Athens
- Best International Hotel Bar – The American Bar, The Savoy, London
- Best International Restaurant Bar – Sager & Wilde, London
- Best New International Cocktail Bar – Coupette, London
Writing Categories
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication – The Daily Beast, Half Full Section
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer – M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post, Imbibe, and more
- Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book – Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan
- Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits – By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler
- Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series – Life Behind Bars
Global Categories
- Best Bar Mentor – Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions
- Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient – Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu- Dandelyan, London
- World’s Best Spirit Selection – Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL
- World’s Best Bar – The American Bar at The Savoy, London
- Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award – John Lermayer
“As someone who has been on the other side of the Spirited Awards and has been nominated over the course of many years, I know how significant it is for an owner, operator, bartender or spirits professional to be recognized by his or her peers,” said Neal Bodenheimer, Co-Chair of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Congratulations to this year’s winners who represent a global group of talent setting the bar incredibly high for our industry.”
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