With entries for Bar Team of the Year, Sustainable bar of the Year and Newcomer of the Year now open, previous winners share how the accolade has encouraged “more bums on seats”, motivated staff and helped them to showcase a “mark of quality”.
Manager of Three Little Words in Manchester, Abbie Duthie, said winning Bar Team of the Year “meant the absolute world” and was “lovely recognition” for all the team’s hard work.
She added: “It unified the team and gave them a real boost, inspiring an even greater determination to be continually creative and deliver innovative drinks to our guests.
“When we recruit new members into the team, our bartenders are so proud to tell them we won Bar Team of the Year [and] it has helped attract some great emerging talent.
“Winning has really helped put Three Little Words on the map. We, and our loyal regulars, are so excited for our future and hope to have continued success with Top 50.”
Achievement and recognition
Echoing this, owner of last year's Newcomer of the Year, Bar Ikigai in Birmingham, Luke Bensley, said the main reason he would encourage other cocktail bars to enter would be the impact it can have on motivating staff as well showcasing a “mark of quality”.
Additionally, Bensley stated the bar had also seen a “big upturn” with more “bums on seats”, especially since sharing news of the win on social media.
He added: “You can use [the award] to have something to achieve, it can keep you switched on and keep the quality of your offering nice and high.
“[Winning] was such a sense of achievement and recognition [as well as] a drive to push forward and what to improve.”
As for what makes a great cocktail bar, Bensely stated the main thing to get right was service.
He said: “If your service isn't good there's no point in having really good drinks, after that, it's [just] enjoying what you do, because if you don't enjoy it, then you're not going to give good service.”
Explosion of great venues
Furthermore, Bensley urged those thinking about entering to “keep pushing”, keep “working hard” and take pride in what they have already achieved to reap the rewards.
The Bar Team of the Year award recognises cocktail bar managers and teams who are a vital part of the success of the business and help to deliver excellent service while the Newcomer of the Year award looks at cocktail bars that have been open under the current operator for up to 18 months on the closing date for entries.
Additionally, the Sustainable Bar of the Year recognises those making the effort to become more sustainable, whether that be by focusing on zero waste or making changes to reduce their carbon footprint.
Top 50 Cocktail Bars publisher Chris Lowe said: “We have created Top 50 Cocktail Bars to help people find the best bars, which are often hidden, around the UK.
“London still has more bars on the list than any other city but having almost all of the UK’s major cities represented showcases the explosion of great venues on the cocktail scene.”
Enter your bar now.