The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2020 Spirited Awards, including the four finalists for the best bars in America categories. In total, awards are given to bars across five different categories: Best American Cocktail Bar, Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar, Best American Hotel Bar, Best American Restaurant Bar, and Best New American Cocktail Bar.
A few rules were changed going into this year’s 2020 Spirited Awards. No longer are bars who have won an award in an individual category previously eligible to win the award again in that category, meaning there will be no more repeat winners. That choice was made so that the awards would become more inclusive.
“For many months now, we debated whether an awards ceremony is what the world needs right now,” shared Caroline Rosen, President of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Ultimately, we decided yes, we do need to continue to celebrate the resilience of our peers. Doubling down on philanthropic recognition and introducing categories that more accurately depict the range of voices contributing to the progress of our industry in meaningful ways — these are just a few of many steps forward we’re looking to make as an organization. Changing policies mid-awards cycle and recasting votes was a very difficult decision that we do not take lightly, but our hope is that it will create a more equitable and fair structure for all nominees.”
The 2020 Spirited Awards will take place in a completely digital format, and the best bars in America category winners will be announced on September 21.
Here Are The Nominees For Best Bars In America For The 2020 Spirited Awards:
Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard
- Best Intentions – Chicago, IL
- Katana Kitten – New York, NY
- Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA
- Raised by Wolves – San Diego, CA
Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- ABV – San Francisco, CA
- Anvil Bar & Refuge – Houston, TX
- Café La Trova – Miami, FL
- Nickel City – Austin, TX
Best American Hotel Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Death & Co at the Ramble Hotel – Denver, CO
- Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
- Mr Coco at the Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV
- The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve
- Cleaver – Las Vegas, NV
- Jewel of the South – New Orleans, LA
- Jimmy’s – Aspen, CO
- The Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY
Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Elijah Craig
- Bar Goto Niban – Brooklyn, NY
- Century Grand – Phoenix, AZ
- Silver Lyan – Washington, DC
- Thunderbolt – Los Angeles, CA
