Sydney cocktail bar, Maybe Sammy, has been named as the Best International New Cocktail Bar at the 13th annual Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, which were held in New Orleans last Saturday.
The award recognises “a recently opened International cocktail bar that has made an immediate impact on cocktail culture and set new high standards for the industry”. In particular the judges considered creativity, décor, service and the execution of drinks in making their decision.
Co-owned by Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi, Maybe Sammy launched in January of this year in The Rocks, Sydney. Lombardo was understandably delighted with the win.
“I couldn’t be any more proud of our team,” he said. “The concept and execution of Maybe Sammy has taken a lot of hard work but it’s all been worth it.
“We knew we were creating something truly unique and we’re thrilled our peers, the industry and our customers appreciate it. It’s the icing on the cake to receive an internationally recognised award such as this.”
The awards are held by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, which has an ongoing commitment to “actively engage partners and participants through meaningful thought leadership to advance the global hospitality industry”.
President of the Foundation, Caroline Rosen said: “As a Foundation, we are privileged to honor this select group of national and international talent who continue to raise the bar for industry.
“The Spirited Awards represent the industry standard for excellence and the Foundation as a whole extends its congratulations to all this evening’s winners.”
The full list of award winners:
American Categories
- American Bartender of the Year
- Julio Cabrera – Cafe La Trova, Miami, FL
- Best American Brand Ambassador
- Tim Cooper, Fords Gin
- Best American Bar Team
- Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV
- Best American Bar Team
- Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV
- Best American Cocktail Bar
- Attaboy – New York, NY
- Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
- Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV
- Best American Hotel Bar
- Compére Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA
- Best American Restaurant Bar
- Dante – New York, NY
- Best New American Cocktail Bar
- Katana Kitten – New York, NY
International Categories
- International Bartender of the Year
- Monica Berg – Tayer and Elementary, London, UK
- Best International Brand Ambassador
- Joe McCanta, Grey Goose
- Best International Bar Team
- Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico
- Best International Cocktail Bar
- Atlas Bar – Singapore
- Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
- Schumann’s Bar – Munich, Germany
- Best International Hotel Bar
- Manhattan at Regent Singapore – Singapore
- Best International Restaurant Bar
- Hawksmoor Spitalfields – London, UK
- Best New International Cocktail Bar
- MAYBE SAMMY – Sydney, Australia
Global Categories
- Best Bar Mentor presented by BARSMARTS
- Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero
- Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
- Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu
- Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA
- World’s Best Spirits Selection
- Atlas Bar – Singapore
Writing & Media Categories
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
- SevenFifty Daily
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
- Robert Simonson, The New York Times, Imbibe Magazine, PUNCH
- Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
- Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions by Alex Day, David Kaplan, and Nick Fauchald
- Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits
- A Drinkable Feast: A Cocktail Companion to 1920s Paris by Philip Greene
- Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
- Bartender at Large
Additional Industry Awards
- World’s Best Bar
- Dante – New York, NY
- Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
- Javier De Las Muelas
- Philanthropy Award presented
- Speed Rack
- Timeless American Award
- Napoleon House – New Orleans, LA
- Timeless International Award
- El Floridita – Havana, Cuba
Photo credit: Daniele Massaci
