Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year

Click here to view the 2010 Bartender of the Year finalists.

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Rookie of the Year – **NEW**

 All new or the Bar Awards in 2010 is the Rookie of the Year. This award aims to recognise up and coming bartending talent in the Australian bar industry. To be eligible for entry you must work in a bar and not have more than two years experience come 31 May 2010.

2010 Finalists:

• Adam Divardo, The Bowery, Brisbane
• Alex Boon, X & Y, Brisbane
• Cameron Jones, Hugos Lounge, Sydney
• Elyssia Wormald, Eau-De-Vie, Sydney
• Kash Wall, Golden Monkey, Melbourne
• Mitchell Kings, Byblos, Brisbane
• Natasha Sorensen, The Victoria Room, Sydney

Bar Team of the Year

Those on the front line sometimes don’t get enough credit for their hard work. A cohesive bar team can make the difference between a good venue and a great venue. They all deserve a pat on back.’

2010 Finalists:

• 1806, Melbourne
• Black Pearl, Melbourne
• Der Raum, Melbourne
• Eau-De-Vie, Sydney
• Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney
• Seamstress/SweatShop, Melbourne
• The Lark, Brisbane
  

New Bar of the Year

Operator of the Year (Multiple Venue)

 This award pays tribute to those individuals and companies that juggle the operations of several venues.

Best Music Offering

 Some venues spend a lot of time and money putting together the tunes and selecting the live music acts that are played through their high tech sound systems. No iPod on shuffle in these venues, who pride themselves on their cutting edge music polices and thumping beats.

Outstanding Contribution

 This prestigious award pays tribute to someone who has made a marked difference to the bar industry through their passion and dedication. As this is award is not a considered a competition no finalists will be listed.

Small Bar of the Year

 Where would our industry be without diversity; without the little guy? This award aims to recognise small venues (under 100 capacity) that are making big waves. Within years to come we hope to see this category grow as legislation right around the country has opened the door for a new wave of bars.

Cocktail Bar of the Year

 It’s important to recognise those bars that dedicated to creating a complete ‘cocktail experience’ – carefully conceived drinks, sophisticated ambience, superlative ingredients (including quality 25mm sq. ice cubes or bespoke ice and bottled mixers), attention to detail and stellar service.

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Nightclub of the Year

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Best Marketed Venue ** New**

An all new award for 2010 is the Best Marketed Venue. Marketing is an increasingly important aspect of a complete bar package. This award recognises the hard work put into bars by their owners and marketing teams to actively promote their venue to the public. Finalists in this category will have a comprehensive marketing strategy encompassing events and promotions as well as traditional and social media outlets.

2010 Finalists:

• 1806, Melbourne
• Der Raum, Melbourne
• Hugos Lounge, Sydney
• Luxe Bar, Perth
• Pool Club, Ivy, Sydney
• The Victoria Room, Sydney
• The Winery, Sydney

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Hotel of the Year

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Cocktail List of the Year

 Some bars pour their heart and soul into their cocktail lists, constantly researching and revising their lists to produce the best possible selection. But the biggest isn’t always the best – the list must be easy to follow, take into consideration seasonal changes, drink trends, give credit where credit is due and always pay tribute to the classics.

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New Hotel of the Year

 This award recognises the efforts made by hoteliers and publicans to open new pubs or renovate and reinvigorate tired venues. All of the following finalists have opened their doors in the last year, with new and inspiring concepts.

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Wine Bar of the Year

 All finalists in this category must have a strong focus on their wine selection and the staff that serve it. The venue must have an atmosphere conducive to enjoying all things vinous and sport a stellar list featuring a well thought out and interesting selection of both local and international wines.

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Best Bar Food Selection

 This category is for venues that take real pride in their food offerings – while having food available is certainly part of being a responsible host, these bars take it to the next level, with food becoming a real draw card for the venue. This award is not about the food served in an adjoining restaurant, but the menu offered specifically for patrons in the bar.

Bar Manager of the Year

 This award pays tribute to all the hard working bar managers who usually stay behind the scenes and who are seldom recognised for their dedication to the bar industry.

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Bar of the Year

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Best Drinks Selection

 There are some bars that go to extraordinary lengths to offer a balanced and well thought out selection of drinks across all categories. This award isn’t necessarily about having an exhaustive list, but about the thought behind the selections. Bars in this category scour the globe for rare potions and demonstrate a passion for fine products.

Best New Venue Design

 This category is specifically for those venues that have paid particular attention to the interior design and layout of their new venue. Each of the following finalists boasts some unique design features.

Operator of the Year (Single Venue)

 This ctegory will undoubtedly include some of the bar industry’s most passionate professionals. All of them are dedicated to the one venue that they own or run.

Best Specialty Beer Venue

 As a real passion for quality imported and locally brewed beer grows, so too have the venues specializing in the service of fine brews. This award recognises those bars and pubs that have a great beer selection, informative service and beer knowledge that sets them apart from the pack.

Best New Launched Product *NEW*

 An all new award for 2010. Best New Launched Product aims to reward those companies that bring in innovative new brands and product lines for bars and bartenders to work with. The winning product not only be a high quality beverage but will have superlative packaging and a comprehensive marketing strategy.

Training Programme of the Year

 This award rewards companies that make an effort to offer valuable training and education for the bar industry. The winning program must offer creative and innovative training that promotes professionalism amongst the next generation bartenders.

Brand Ambassador of the Year

 The role of the brand ambassador continues to grow; not only do these guys and girls champion their own brands, but they play a valuable part in the education and development of Australian bar culture.