15th Tales of the Cocktail Wraps Up in New Orleans, Announces 2017 Spirited Awards Winners

Fiona Chandra

The 15th annual Tales of the Cocktail just wrapped up their six-day festival in New Orleans, complete with tastings, seminars, industry parties, competitions and fun surprises. Some of the world’s best bars showcased their craft during the Bar In-depth series, including Dandelyan (London), The Walker Inn (Los Angeles), Quinary (Hong Kong), The Clumsies (Athens), Mace (New York), and Peg & Patriot (London).

From the pork and booze-filled Pig and Punch to the Lucha Libre wrestling show and even a Bartender Boxing competition, the festival had something to satisfy all manner of attendees. There was brunch with a burlesque show and pool parties while industry invitees received a special performance by Snoop Dogg at the Diageo’s party, The Dogg House. Jagermeister took over the town with a marching band parade.

During the Tales of the Cocktail, they also announced this year’s winners of the Spirited Awards, which recognizes the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers and cocktail experts. For the Global category, Dandelyan in London took home the big award this year, winning World’s Best Cocktail Bar. San Francisco’s Trick Dog also won for having World’s Best Cocktail Menu while Seattle’s Canon received the award for World’s Best Spirits Selection.

In the American category, The NoMad Bar took home the award for Best Bar Team, while Columbia Room in Washington, D.C. was named Best American Cocktail Bar. American Bartender of the Year award this year goes to Jeff Bell from New York’s Please Don’t Tell. Rising star BlackTail in New York received the award for Best New American Cocktail Bar while Dante won the Best American Restaurant Bar. Miami’s industry favorite, Sweet Liberty Drinks and Supply Co, earned the award for Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar.

For the International category, Melbourne’s Black Pearl was named Best International Cocktail Bar while Dandelyan won a second award for Best International Hotel Bar and yet another for Best International Bar Team. Shingo Gokan from Shanghai’s Speak Low received the International Bartender of the Year award. Plan a visit to London’s Swift, this year’s Best New International Cocktail Bar.

The 15th annual Tales of the Cocktail festival ran from July 18-23 in New Orleans. The full list of Spirited Awards winners for 2017 can be found here.