London Wins Big At 2015 Spirited Awards

This year's world's best bars, bartenders and writers were honored at the ninth annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans over the weekend.

London bars were big winners, snagging five of the eight awards in the international category. Taking home the award for American Bartender of the Year was Ivy Mix of Brooklyn's Leyenda. Also from New York, Employees Only was honored twice as the Best American Bar Team and Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar. Online magazine PUNCH won the award for Best Cocktail and Spirits Publication, while whisky aficionado Dave Broom took home the award for Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer and Best New Spirits Book. Check out the full list of winners below.

American Categories


  • American Bartender of the Year: Ivy Mix (Brooklyn)

  • Best American Bar Team: Employees Only (New York)

  • Best American Brand Ambassador: Brooke Arthur (Brand Spirits)

  • Best American Cocktail Bar: Williams & Graham (Denver)

  • Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar: Employees Only (New York)

  • Best American Hotel Bar: The Broken Shaker (Miami Beach)

  • Best American Restaurant Bar: Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks (Boston)

  • Best New American Cocktail Bar: ABV (San Francisco)
  • International Categories


  • International Bartender of the Year: Ryan Chetiyawardana (London)

  • Best International Bar Team: 28 Hong Kong Street (Singapore)

  • Best International Brand Ambassador: Claire Smith-Warner (Belvedere Vodka)

  • Best International Cocktail Bar: The Artesian (London)

  • Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar: The Black Pearl & The Attic (Melbourne)

  • Best International Hotel Bar: The Beaufort Bar, The Savoy (London)

  • Best International Restaurant Bar: The Blind Pig at Social Eating House (London)

  • Best New International Cocktail Bar: Dandelyan (London)
  • Writing Categories


  • Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: PUNCH (United States)

  • Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer: Dave Broom (United States)

  • Best New Cocktail Book: Liquid Intelligence: The Art & Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

  • Best New Spirits Book: Whisky, the Manual by Dave Broom
  • Overall Categories


  • Best Bar Mentor: Jim Meehan (Portland)

  • Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: Amaro di Angostura

  • World's Best Cocktail Menu: The Dead Rabbit (New York)

  • World's Best Spirits Selection: Canon (Seattle)

  • World's Best BarThe Dead Rabbit (New York)
  • Special Recognitions


  • Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award: Jonathan Downey

  • Sam Guarino Citation: Steve Mannan