This year's Swiss Bar Awards started with the call for entries at the beginning of May. The specialist jury, consisting of experts from the Swiss bar scene, reviewed and evaluated the applications received from the beginning of June and visited the nominated establishments on the shortlist.
In the categories Barkeeper of the year and Best Barkeeper Talent (born 2001-2005), Barkeeper had to prove their knowledge as well as their creative and technical skills in August. For the participants in the supreme discipline Barkeeper of the year, the final test was now on the agenda at the Award Night - the presentation of two cocktail creations (one short drink and one long drink) in front of almost 300 invited guests and a top-class jury of experts.
Alessandro Cogoni had already demonstrated his skills with a convincing performance in the qualifiers on August 26. In the grand finale at the Award Night, the 34-year-old Barkeeper from Jo. Bar de quartier in Fribourg went one better and conquered the palates and hearts of the jury with his personal cocktail creations "Querencia" and "East 8th Street". He thus holds the title of Barkeeper of the year 2024 for one year.
Further Bar Awards go to Zug, Zurich, Basel and Central Switzerland
Anthony Christen, a young talent from Zug, won the title of Best Barkeeper Talent 2024. 20-year-old Barkeeper from Baar works at the Dr. Zhivago Bar in Zurich and put in an impressive performance against his competitors in the qualifiers on August 26.
The Best Newcomer Bar 2024 award also goes to the canton of Zug. The award for the best new opening or reopening goes to the Hidén Harlekin Jazz Kissa. Opened in January 2023, bar manager Pascal Schönenberger and his team have managed to make a name for themselves in the jazz and bar scene in the canton of Zug and beyond within a short space of time.
The Hinz & Kunz Bar in Basel has won the Best Longseller Bar 2024 award. With a lot of passion, energy and dedication and a selection of almost 1,000 bottles on the shelves, the Hinz & Kunz Bar has been a place to be in Basel for over 10 years. Bar manager Milena Kunz's long-standing employees ensure a great experience in her bar with quality, continuity and perfect hospitality.
The award for the best bar menu 2024 goes to the Igniv Bar in Zurich. The bar menu was curated in collaboration with the kitchen team. The Igniv Bar creates high-quality cocktails and introduces guests to the world of fine drinking as well as fine dining. The combination of careful ingredient selection, excellent service and a wide selection of drinks makes the bar unique. Together with the easy-to-use and visually appealing bar menu, it was enough to win the title in the Best Bar Menu category.
The Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbürgen is the best hotel bar of 2024. The Bar & Cigar Lounge is considered the heart of the Bürgenstock Resort with a view of Lake Lucerne. Whether signature cocktails made from homemade products, classic cocktails or enjoying a cigar in one of the largest hotel lounges in Switzerland - the bar at the 5-star hotel in Nidwalden leaves nothing to be desired and offers an extensive and varied drinks and food menu.
The Best Bar Team 2024 award went to the Louis Bar team at the Art Deco Hotel Montana in Lucerne. Each individual sees themselves as a host and exemplifies this to their guests. The bar team around Bar Manager Levent Yilmaz radiates an inquisitive, multicultural group that prioritizes self-motivation and innovation and has fun at work. The bar team of around 7 people has created a place in Lucerne where hospitality is the top priority and this is practiced daily by every single team member.
Overview of winners of the SWISS BAR AWARDS 2024
Barkeeper of the year 2024
Alessandro Cogoni, Jo. Bar de quartier, Fribourg
Best Barkeeper Talent 2024
Anthony Christen, Dr. Zhivago, Zurich
Best Newcomer Bar 2024
Hidén Harlekin, Zug
Best Longseller Bar 2024
Hinz & Kunz Bar, Basel
Best Bar Menu 2024
Igniv Bar, Marktgasse Hotel, Zurich
Best Hotel Bar 2024
Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge, Bürgenstock Resort, Obbürgen
Best Bar Team 2024
Louis Bar, Art Deco Hotel Montana, Lucerne
SWISS BAR AWARDS:
The most prestigious awards of the Swiss bar scene
Since 2003, the trade magazine BAR NEWS has been presenting the most important awards in the Swiss bar scene: the SWISS BAR AWARDS. This year, talented Barkeeper and trendy bars will be honored with awards for the 22nd time. The award process begins in the spring with the call for entries and culminates in the fall, when the awards are presented in a festive setting at the Award Night.
More info: www.swissbarawards.ch
