Singapore Spirits Away Awards at the Spirited Awards: Atlas and Manhattan Only Asian Countries to Win

by CWA @ 15 May 2020
Singapore Spirits Away Awards at the Spirited Awards: Atlas and Manhattan Only Asian Countries to Win The Singapore cocktail scene continues to rise and grow in progress, and the Spirited Awards held in New Orleans proved that, with Singaporean bars like Atlas and Manhattan taking top prizes for the first time. Held at the Orpheum Theatre, while awards were dominated by winners from United States and Europe, Singapore made its mark by winning their share of the awards, the only Asian country to do so.

Best International Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Spirits Selection were accolades won by Atlas, which has a gin collection of more than 1,300 bottles, while Manhattan won Best International Hotel Bar.

These awards were as part of Tales of the Cocktail, which is an annual gathering of the worldwide cocktail community of bartenders, writers, and cocktail experts.

"Like everyone in this room, we try to be the best that we can be, every single day and that (includes) pushing on education and supporting our staff to be the best they can possibly be...” said by
Atlas' head bartender Jesse Vida said in his acceptance speech that night. “ Shout out to South-east Asia. We're coming up."

5th time nominee Manhattan finally won Best International Hotel Bar this year, beating out London's Artesian Bar and Punch Room, as well as Mexico City's Fifty Mils. Assistant Bar Manager Gabriel Carlos and Head Bartender Sophia King represented the bar in question to accept the award, and in their reception speech, noted the big accomplishment of an Asian bar like Manhattan making an impact on the global stage. The recognition is "a great platform to show everyone what is happening on the other side of the world,” Mr Carlos noted.

The accolade of World's Best Bar was won by New York's historic bar Dante.

For more information regarding the list of winners in the Spirited Awards, please go to https://talesofthecocktail.com/events/spirited-awards/.

Photo Credit: The Straits Times