Aussies through to Spirited Awards Top Four Finalists

Just last month, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation revealed the Top 10 Nominees for the Spirited Awards, which have now been whittled down to the Top Four Finalists.

First established in 2007, the Spirited Awards celebrate the industry’s beverage professionals, products and establishments on a global scale, encompassing all areas of the spirits and cocktail community.

The 2025 Spirited Awards Top Four Finalists have now been revealed, with Luke Whearty from BYRDI, Melbourne in the running for International Bartender of the Year for the third consecutive year, and two Aussie venues also in the mix.

Caretaker’s Cottage in Melbourne has reached the Top Four in the Best International Bar Team and Best International Cocktail Bar categories, while Maybe Sammy is a Top Four Finalist in one of the global categories – World’s Best Cocktail Menu.

Along with the announcement of the Top Four Finalists comes the recipients of several awards. Speed Rack Co-founder Lynnette Marrero has been presented the Tales Visionary Award, and the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award was given to global rum ambassador Ian Burrell. Meanwhile, Bar Cock in Madrid and The Bar at Keens Steakhouse in New York collected the Timeless International and Timeless U.S. awards retrospectively.

Ryan Chetiyawardana, Spirited Awards International Chair, says: “I’ve always loved the Spirited Awards for how much they’ve celebrated those at the heart of our industry; not only the pioneers and the innovators pushing our craft forwards, but those who are building communities and shaping our industry for the better.

“These are people who are inspirations to the industry, and their care for all aspects of excellence and hospitality is showcasing what a force for good our industry can be. These sentiments are at the heart of what I’ve always valued about the Spirited Awards, so I look forward to celebrating their achievements in this 19th iteration of the ceremony.”

The Spirited Awards winners will be announced during the Tales of Cocktail conference, now in its 23^rd year, taking place in New Orleans between 20-25 July.

The 2025 Spirited Awards Top Four International Finalists are:

International Bartender of the Year

• Lorenzo Antinori — Bar Leone, Hong Kong
• Giulia Cuccurullo — Artesian, The Langham, London, UK
• Miguel Mora — ALQUÍMICO, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
• Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia

Best International Bar Mentor

• Kate Boushel
• Iain McPherson
• Anna Sebastian
• Jean Trinh

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Claudia Cabrera — Fratelli Branca
• Jesse Estes — Tequila Ocho
• Caitlin Hill — Rémy Cointreau
• Dré Masso — Altos Tequila and Nusa Caña Rum

Best International Bar Team

• Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
• Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
• Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
• Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar

• ARGO at the Four Seasons Hotel — Hong Kong, China
• Charles H. at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK
• VIRTÙ at the Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi — Tokyo, Japan

Best International Restaurant Bar

• ARCA Tulum — Tulum, Mexico
• FURA — Singapore
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Moebius Milano — Milan, Italy

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Bar Mauro — Mexico City, Mexico
• Devil’s Cut — Madrid, Spain
• Dry Wave Cocktail Studio — Bangkok, Thailand
• Three Sheets Soho — London, UK

The 2025 Spirited Awards Top Four Global Finalists are:

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Bar 1661 — Dublin, Ireland
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Maybe Sammy — Sydney, Australia
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Flor de Cana

• Cat Bite Club — Singapore
• Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
• Salón de Agave — Mexico City, Mexico
• Tlecān — Mexico City, Mexico