The SA Bar Awards 2020 reflected the state of the bar tendering industry of South Africa, it being announced that the event would be cancelled for this year as Lockdown gripped our country, and the Alcohol-serving establishments closing their doors as Covid regulations forbade them from operating during a large part of our five Level Lockdown. Sadly some bars became casualties of the Lockdown. Other bars have not even reopened. A delight was to see some of these Bars win Awards at the SA Bar Awards, which were resurrected as a virtual event held on Monday this week.

The full list of winners and the finalists per Award category follow:

Cocktail Bar of the Year

Winner: Art of Duplicity in Cape Town

Finalists
Sin + Tax in Johannesburg
Art of Duplicity in Cape Town
Cause | Effect in Cape Town
Lucky Shaker in Durban

 

Bartender of the Year

Winner: George Hunter

Finalists
George Hunter
Jody Rahme
Owen O’Reilly
Julian Short

 

High Volume Cocktail Bar of the Year

Winner: House of Machines

Finalist
House of Machines in Cape Town
Cause | Effect in Cape Town
Orphanage in Cape Town
Saint in Johannesburg

 

Bar Team of the Year 

Winner: Vicious Virgin

Finalists
Vicious Virgin in Cape Town
Sin + Tax in Johannesburg
Art of Duplicity in Cape Town
Cause | Effect in Cape Town

 

New Cocktail Bar of the Year

Winner: Vicious Virgin

Finalists
Vicious Virgin in Cape Town
Gigi Rooftop Bar in Cape Town
Smoking Kills Bar in Johannesburg
I Love Dough in Cape Town

 

Mobile Bar Operator of the Year 

Winner: Molecular Bars

Finalists
Molecular Bars
Sip Exclusive
Thirst Bar Services
The Perfect Serve

 

Newcomer of the Year

Winner: Taneale Van Der Merwe

Finalists
Taneale Van Der Merwe
Ryan Ontong
Katlego Manyathi
Arty Java

 

Brand Ambassador of the Year

Winner: Jody Francis

Finalists
Jody Francis
Lauren Penny
Aidan Powrie
Marson Strydom

 

Media Contributor of the Year 

Winner: Leah van Deventer

Finalists
Leah van Deventer
Jan Laubscher
Anel Grobler
Surita Joubert

 

Brand Campaign/Event of the Year 

Winner: Inverroche Pioneers

Finalists
World Class
Inverroche Pioneers
Bacardi Legacy
Patron Perfectionist

 

Bartenders Brand of Choice

Winner: Inverroche

Finalists
Bacardi
Bulleit
Espolon
Inverroche

 

International Footprint Award 

Winner: George Hunter

Finalists
Julian Short
George Hunter
Kurt Schlechter
Bruce Dorfling
Caitlin Hill

 

Social Media Contributor Award 

Winner: Pete Lebese

Finalists
Pete Lebese
Caitlin Hill
Jody Francis
Julian Short
Kresan Naidu

 

Mentor of the Year

Winner: Casandra Eichhoff

Finalists
Kurt Schlechter
Michael Stephenson
Casandra Eichhoff
Gareth Wainwright

 

Pop-up Bar of the Year

Winner: Craigellachie at Athletic Club & Social

Finalists
Glenfiddich Challengers Club
Craigellachie at Athletic Club & Social
Hendricks Peculiar Picnic
Rum Tum Tum

 

Trailblazer of the Year  sponsored by Hope Distillery

Winner: Brent Perremore

Finalists
George Hunter
Evert De Jong
Julian Short
Brent Perremore

 

Liquor Store of the Year 

Winner: Norman Goodfellows

Finalists
Bar Keeper
Norman Goodfellows
Liquor City Claremont
Woodstock Liquors

 

Main Market/Local Bar of the Year 

Winner: Smoking Kills Bar

Finalists
Rands in Cape Town

Kwa Ace in Cape Town
Smoking Kills Bar in Johannesburg
The Shack in Cape Town

 

Hotel Bar of the Year

Winner: Gigi at Gorgeous George

Finalists
Gigi at Gorgeous George in Cape Town
Tobago’s at The Radisson Blu Waterfront
Bascule Bar at Cape Grace in Cape Town
Vista Bar at The One & Only in Cape Town

Vicious Virgin has become a Covid casualty, even sadder that it closed, having done so well in these awards. It only opened in December 2019.

New Vicious Virgin Rum Bar not vicious at all, brings French Polynesian Tiki cocktail culture to Cape Town!

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide, CAMPS BAY CLEAN. Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

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