DRiNK Magazine and Thirsty Work Productions presented the DMBA 2019 on Monday, December 9, recognizing members and brands of the drinks industry in Asia. Winners of the awards listed below.
DMBA 2019 crowned 22 bars, brands and industry mavens from bartenders to brand ambassadors in Asia at their awards ceremony at the Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai. This marked the fourth run of DMBA.
Shanghai Stars at DMBA
Notable Shanghai winners include Cross Yu, who also scored a hattrick, winning the Founders Awards and the coveted Bartender of the Year award, while his bar E.P.I.C. was recognized in the Music Program category.
Sober Company had the honor of Bar of the Year. Sober Company also ranks No. 45 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 and No. 16 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019. It’s part of the same group as Speak Low, which ranks No. 35 on World’s 50 and No. 7 on Asia’s 50.
The Taste Buds group scooped the Entrepreneurship Award, while their venues Atelier by Taste Buds won High Volume bar and the recently opened Arch by Taste Buds bagged the Design Award.
Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen, arguably the best wine bar in Shanghai, took home the award for Wine Program. Most befitting.
Shanghai-inspired (and based) gin company Peddlers Gin received the award for Bartender Brand and Stone Brewing was recognized for its Beer Program. Hakkasan was presented with the award for Restaurant Bar, Punch Room at The Shanghai EDITION with Hotel Bar.
List of DMBA 2019 Winners
Bartender of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Peddlers Gin
Jay Khan
Bar Team (Asia) (New for 2019)
Presented by Luxardo
The Old Man, Hong Kong
Bar of the Year (Asia)
Presented by Amaro Montenegro
COA, Hong Kong
International Bartender of the Year
Presented by Jiangxiaobai
Martin Hudak
Sustainability Award
Presented by Bacardi
The Hope & Sesames
Innovation Award
Presented by U.S. Cranberry24/7 by Secoo
Bartender Brand
Presented by DRiNK Magazine
Peddlers Gin
Brand Ambassador
Presented by Small Batch Learning
Craig Swindell – Chivas Regal
Design Award
Presented by Campari
Arch by Taste Buds, Shanghai
Music Program
Presented by Chandon
E.P.I.C., Shanghai
Wine Program
Presented by Ray Fine Wines
Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen, Shanghai
Beer Program
Presented by Viola
Stone Brewing Tap Room, Shanghai
Service Award
Presented by Rémy Martin
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Restaurant Bar
Presented by Aperitivo Select
Hakkasan, Shanghai
High Volume Bar
Presented by Woodford Reserve
Atelier by Taste Buds, Shanghai
Hotel Bar
Presented by Fever-Tree
Punch Room – The Shanghai EDITION
Cocktail Program
Presented by Cointreau
Sober Company, Shanghai
Entrepreneurship Award
Presented by Hennessy
Taste Buds
Founders Award
Presented by Thirsty Work Productions
Cross Yu
Bar Team
Presented by Chivas Regal
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Bartender of the Year
Presented by Monkey 47
Cross Yu
Bar of the Year
Presented by Maker’s Mark
Sober Company, Shanghai
All images courtesy of DRiNK.
