The recent announcement of the Spirited Awards, held annually as part of the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans, USA, is one of the most closely watched events on the global bar scene. However, the awards are not merely a list of the best bars and bartenders. Above all, they reflect the direction in which modern hospitality is moving and highlight the individuals and establishments that are currently inspiring the entire industry.
This year’s 20th anniversary edition confirmed a trend that has been evident for several years: Asia is playing an increasingly significant role. The overall winner was Singapore’s FURA, which claimed the title of World’s Best Bar as well as the award for Best International Restaurant Bar. Hong Kong venues also triumphed: Bar Leone, named Best International Bar Team, and ARGO at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, which took the title of Best International Hotel Bar. Other notable winners include London’s Satan’s Whiskers (Best International Cocktail Bar) and Paris’s De Vie, named Best New International Cocktail Bar.
For VisitChef, however, it is not the trophies themselves that are the most interesting. Far more compelling are the people behind these establishments. They are shaping the face of global hospitality today and increasingly crossing the boundaries of their home cities. Guest shifts, international collaborations, festivals and professional conferences have become a regular part of their work, enabling them to share experiences across continents.
Among the most prominent figures at this year’s Spirited Awards were Yayo Nava, who won the title of International Bartender of the Year, and Takuma Watanabe, named U.S. Bartender of the Year. Jean Trinh received the Tales Visionary Award for her contribution to the industry, and the legendary historian of cocktail culture, David Wondrich, was presented with a lifetime achievement award. These names are now among the most respected ambassadors of global bar culture, and their work inspires professionals far beyond the borders of their home countries.
The results of this year’s Spirited Awards also show that global hospitality no longer relies solely on technically flawless cocktails. The focus is shifting towards the overall guest experience, a well-thought-out concept, a strong venue identity, and the ability to create an environment people want to return to. The award-winning bars demonstrate that top-class mixology now naturally ties in with gastronomy, the hotel industry and the broader culture of hospitality, increasingly becoming part of a comprehensive fine dining experience.
This is precisely why the Spirited Awards are also important for the Czech gastronomic scene—not merely as a list of winners, but as a source of inspiration and a showcase of those who are pushing the boundaries of the industry today. For VisitChef, they also serve as a list of personalities and establishments worth following over the long term. Many of this year’s award winners regularly appear at the world’s best bars, take part in international festivals and collaborate with leading restaurants and hotel groups. Their work confirms that the future of gastronomy is not created in isolation in the kitchen or behind the bar, but through the combination of talent, creativity and the sharing of experiences across the entire world of hospitality.
This year’s Spirited Awards are therefore not merely a celebration of the very best. Above all, they serve as a map of the current global bar scene and a source of inspiration for all those who believe that world-class gastronomy begins and ends with an unforgettable guest experience.
