HK Bar Awards winners announced

Hong Kong’s first ever Bar Awards was a memorable spirits-soaked evening hosted at Zuma. We present the final award winners of each category.

Established in Singapore two years ago, the Bar Awards aims to recognise homegrown talent spanning all sectors of the hospitality industry.

Now brought over to Hong Kong by Tron Young from Singapore and Sandeep Hathiramani, group beverage manager of Maximal Concepts, the first Hong Kong Bar Awards held at Zuma saw a huge turnout and support for the F&B community. 

The first round of voting was cast by the public before the panel of judges whittled them down to top 10 and then top five with the nominee with the highest points deemed to be the award winner for that category.

Click through to view who won each category.

Young Bartender of the Year presented by East Imperial 

The youthful Kervin Unido from Mr & Mrs Fox was voted as Young Bartender of the Year, due to his diligence, passion and creativity behind the bar.

Famously known for bursting into tears after he won Bacardi Legacy last year, Unido at least managed to keep it together and in fact, appeared to be more in shock at winning than anything else. 

Best Restaurant Bar presented by William Chase

The smart and sleek On Dining team scooped the Best Restaurant Bar award due to its eye-catching bar design and wide selection of creative cocktails, headed up by Prem Shireesh. 

Best Wine Bar presented by Berry Bros & Rudd

Hong Kong’s first all-natural wine bar, La Cabane, created by Cristobal Hunneus and Karim Hadjaj won the hearts and minds of wine lovers across Hong Kong.

“An all-natural wine bar wins best Best Wine Bar – who would have thought it?” said Hunneus upon receiving his award.

Best Beer Bar presented by Pilsner Urquell 

Hong Kong’s long-standing Graham Street beer haven, The Globe came out as the winner of the Best Beer Bar with one of Hong Kong’s largest beer selections.

Have a hankering for a pale ale from some obscure, traditionally non-beer producing country? The Globe will have it. 

Best Nightclub presented by GH Mumm 

Ophelia, Ashley Sutton and Dining Concepts’ Moulin Rouge-crossed-with-an-opium-den won best nightclub due to its deliberately over-the-top decor, eyewateringly-strong cocktails and renowned DJ sets.

(Award collected on behalf of Ophelia).

Best Bar Food Award presented by Aperol and Peroni

Ham and Sherry’s The Back Bar scooped Best Bar Food for its famous croquettas and tapas-style eats alongside Hong Kong’s best sherry offerings and Ryan Nightingale’s cocktails. 

Best Hospitality Team presented by St George Spirits 

Vibrant Polynesian-style bar Honi Honi won Best Hospitality Team due to the warm (rum-fuelled) welcome everyone gets when they enter into the paradisaical bamboo-d interior in Wellington Street. 

Best Hotel Bar presented by The Singleton

The Shangri La’s Lobster Bar and Grill scooped Best Hotel Bar for its welcoming atmosphere, decent happy hour and world-renowned guest bartenders.

(Award collected on behalf of the Lobster Bar and Grill).

Most Creative Cocktail Bar presented by D1

Tasting Group’s Quinary was bestowed with the award for Most Creative Cocktail Bar.

Headed up by Antonio Lai – a mixologist with almost cult status in Hong Kong – Quinary is well-known for ‘multi-sensory’ cocktails which combines local Hong Kong ingredients with world class brands.

Best New Cocktail Bar presented by Monkey Shoulder 

Foxglove: The whisky and cigar speakeasy boasting what must the world’s largest collection of eccentric looking umbrellas, scooped Best New Cocktail Bar after being open for less than a year.

Best Female Bartender – The Ada Coleman Award presented by Don Julio

Most of us have had a raucous and memorable evening at the Pontiac – all staffed by talented female bartenders and headed up by Oregon special export, Beckaly Franks who won this year’s Best Female Bartender for her warmth, charisma and ability to plant the Pontiac firmly on the bar map in Hong Kong.

Bartender of the Year presented by Bacardi

Arcadius Rybak of Zuma won the coveted title of Bartender of the Year for his wizardry behind the bar, ready smile and unparalleled knowledge of spirits. 

Best Cocktail Bar presented by Stolichnaya 

Hidden away amid the hustle and bustle of Wyndham Street, Stockton is the closest thing Hong Kong gets to a 19th century whisky bar.

With innovative cocktails which bring old recipes up to date and an edgy vibe, Maximal Concepts’ Stockton scooped Best Cocktail Bar, the final award of the evening.