Award Categories
Bar Awards
The Bar & Beverage Awards celebrate excellence in the South African drinks industry. Bar Awards are based on public nominations, while Beverage Awards are based on corporate submissions.
For info on Beverage Award submissions, kindly email info@barandbeverageawards.co.za.
Bar Award nominations work as follows:
The 2024 awards assess the calendar year of 2023
Anyone may cast nominations, for themselves or others
It only takes 1 nomination to be considered for an award
Nominations are judged by an industry panel
Judges are eligible for awards, but will be recused from judging any award they’re nominated for, or where they have a conflict of interest
Nominations will be vetted prior to being handed over for judging
Personal awards (Best Bartender, Support Staffer, Brand Ambassador, Bar Communicator and Mentor) may not be won consecutively by the same person (i.e. an individual person may not win the same award twice in a row). As such, 2023 winners of these awards are ineligible for 2024 (see here for 2023 winners)
The Industry Icon award is a once off, and previous winners may not win it again
The B&B Awards team reserves the right to exclude an award category should it not receive sufficient qualified submissions.
bar CATEGORIES
1
Best Cocktail Bar
This award recognises a bar that demonstrates excellence in service, hospitality, interior design, atmosphere and cocktails
Applicable to any bar that has a cocktail programme, including group or stand-alone bars
Must not be a hotel or restaurant bar
Must have opened prior to 1 Jan 2023
2
Best New Cocktail Bar
This award recognises a recently opened cocktail bar that’s considered to be an exciting and promising addition to the national bar landscape
Applicable to any new bar that has a cocktail programme, including group or stand-alone bars
Must have opened during 2023
3
Best Hotel Bar
This award recognises a hotel bar that offers an elegant and comfortable drinking experience
Applicable to any bar that’s attached to a hotel
Must have a dedicated cocktail menu
Must have opened prior to 1 Jan 2023
4
Best Restaurant Bar
This award recognises a restaurant bar with a carefully planned drinks programme that elevates and complements the dining experience
Applicable to any bar that offers table dining with a full lunch and/or dinner menu
Must not be a hotel or cocktail bar
Must have a dedicated cocktail menu
Must have opened prior to 1 Jan 2023
5
Best Bar Solutions
This award recognises a company whose exceptional delivery of goods and/or services makes them an indispensable and sought out partner in the trade
Applicable to any company that provides ingredients, ice, tools, equipment and/or eventing solutions to brands or bars
Must have been operational prior to 1 Jan 2023
6
Best Upliftment Programme or Initiative
This award recognises an upliftment programme or initiative that facilitates upskilling and growth of individuals and contributes to the health, equality and diversity of the national bar industry
Applicable to any upliftment programme that’s free for participants
May function within bars or be brand/school/independently driven
Must have been active for at least 21 days in 2023
7
Best Bartender
This award recognises a bartender who demonstrates excellence in skills, knowledge, service, hospitality and innovation.
Applicable to anyone who tends bar, including bar managers or owners, at any sort of bar, including cocktail, hotel, restaurant or mobile bar
Must have worked at least 3 shifts a week as a bartender for the entire 2023
2023 winners Charné van Heerden & Julian Short are ineligible for 2024
8
Best Bar Team
This award recognises a bar team that works together seamlessly and professionally to elevate the guest experience.
Applicable to any team working in any bar, including cocktail, hotel, restaurant or mobile bar
Bar must have opened prior to 1 Jan 2023
9
Best Support Staffer
This award recognises a team member whose exceptional work in a supporting role is considered key to their bar’s success
Applicable to all support staff, such as bouncers, barbacks, cleaners and kitchen staff, that work within all types of bars, including cocktail, hotel, restaurant or mobile bar
Must have worked at least 3 shifts a week for the entire 2023
Not applicable to anyone whose predominant role is a bartender (i.e. bartends more than 3 shifts a week)
2023 winner Alex Duru is ineligible for 2024
10
Best Brand Ambassador
This award recognises an ambassador who has demonstrated excellence in advocating for their brand through insightful activations and consistent support to their partner bars
Applicable to any brand ambassadors who work in the field
Must have been working in this capacity full time for the entire 2023
2023 winner Bradley Jacobs is ineligible for 2024
11
Best Mentor
This award recognises an individual who actively uplifts and inspires the bartender community and plays a pivotal role in bettering the national industry
Applicable to anyone who acts as a positive role model and demonstrates commitment to educating the next generation
Not applicable to anyone whose predominant role is a bartender (i.e. bartends more than 3 shifts a week)
2023 winner Cassandra Eichhoff is ineligible for 2024
12
Best Bar Communicator
This award recognises a communicator whose insightful reporting, storytelling and/or content creation brings bars and brands to life
Applicable to anyone who tells the stories of national bars and brands, through journalism, blogging and social media
Must have been doing so consistently throughout 2023, whether professionally or as a hobby
2023 winner Leah van Deventer is ineligible for 2024
13
Industry Icon
This special award recognises individuals who have a long, demonstrated history of passion, leadership and innovation, and whose ongoing contributions have helped shape and progress the national bar industry.
Applicable to anyone who has worked for a minimum of 10 years in the national bar industry, including bartenders, bar owners, brand advocators, spirit producers, distributors, educators and communicators
Beverage Awards
The Bar & Beverage Awards celebrate excellence in the South African drinks industry. Bar Awards are based on public nominations, while Beverage Awards are based on corporate submissions.
For info on Beverage Award submissions, kindly email info@barandbeverageawards.co.za.
Beverage Award nominations work as follows:
Any brand, distributor or agency may submit an entry submission to be considered for an award.
The entry may be submitted in any format you wish
Award categories and submission criteria for each can be found below.
Only products & campaigns for the 2023 calendar year are admissible.
Submissions will be vetted prior to being handed over for judging
Submissions are judged by an independent industry panel.
Judges are eligible for awards, but will be recused from judging any award they’re nominated for, or where they have a conflict of interest.
We reserve the right to exclude an award category should it not receive sufficient qualified submissions.
Entry fee per submission is R3000 excluding VAT.
beverage CATEGORIES
1
Best Brand Campaign
This award recognises a local brand
campaign that has demonstrated
creativity and keen market insight in the promotion of a beverage.
Applicable to any beverage brand,
provided the campaign was conceptualised
and driven by a South African agency.
Must have had a maximum spend of R1 million.
Must have flighted during 2023.
2
Best CSI Campaign
This award recognises a short-burst CSI campaign/initiative, powered by a
beverage, that has shown a significant positive impact on South African society.
Applicable to any beverage brand,
provided campaign was conceptualised
and driven by a South African agency.
Must have had a maximum spend of R1 million.
Must have flighted during 2023.
3
Best New Local Product
This award recognises the best new local product to enter the market, that has demonstrated keen market insight and exceptional delivery.
Applicable to any business that caters to the drinks industry, including bars, in South Africa.
Must have been operational throughout 2023.
4
Best Place to Work
This award recognises a workplace that actively focuses on looking after their employees and facilitating a healthy company culture, through competitive compensation, fair and transparent employment practices, active staff development, diverse hiring and trustworthy, engaged leadership.
Applicable to any business that caters to the drinks industry, including bars, in South Africa.
Must have been operational throughout 2023.
5
Best Distributor/Retail Outlet
This award recognises a business that sells alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption, whether wholesale or to the public, and provides an excellent, insightful and reliable service.
Applicable to any business that operates within South Africa.
Must have been operational throughout 2023
Beverage Nominations now open