South African bartenders and industry leaders from all over the country congregated at The Westin Hotel in Cape Town last night to celebrate the cocktail trade’s best. Two rows of cocktail stands, manned by an army of SA’s best bartenders, served up an array of libation while attendees eagerly await the award announcements. Unlike the lack-lusted Grammy Awards, the Bartender Accolades & Recognition Awards was all that and a shot of Fernet Branca.
The big winner on the night was Sin+Tax bar from Johannesburg, bagging the prestigious Cocktail Bar of the year, as well as Best Bartender of the year award. So without further ado and before my hangover surface, here are all the winners from each category.
Best Bar Team – Sin+Tax
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQNGZBEhBtG/
Social Media Award – AJ Snetler
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd9UjAahP8O/
Best Brand Campaign – World Class
Best High Volume Bar – Orphanage
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcjgNg3lvPJ/
New Comer of the Year – Burdett Geiling
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcShOEZBXrh/
Best Pop up Bar – The Polynesian Pearl Diver
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRTTW5tjruS/
Trailblazer Award – Mootee Bar
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdPVebkAhEK/
International Footprint Award – Julian Short
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcm6_lrhVks/
Best Hotel Cocktail Bar – Twankey
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXxGZjDDQQB/
Bartenders Brand of Choice – Bulleit Bourbon
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeROPcFDQoE/
Brand Ambassador of the Year – Marson Strydom
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaYVoftFMmQ/
Best Cocktail Bar – Sin+Tax
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR8q4Y3j2SF/
This hidden treasure, situated on the Corner of Bolton & Jan Smuts road in Rosebank in Johannesburg, opened its doors in early December 2016. Manned by acclaimed bartender Julian Short and his team, the bar quickly became an industry darling.
Bartender of the Year – Julian Short
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFiVA4BB8x/
