The Swiss Bar Awards started at the beginning of May with the call for entries. 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 Barkeeper of the Year and Best Barkeeper Talent categories (2002-2006), the Barkeeper had to prove their knowledge as well as their creative and technical skills in August. For the participants in the supreme discipline of Barkeeper of the Year, the final test was now on the agenda at the Award Night - the presentation of two of their own cocktail creations (one short drink and one long drink) in front of around 300 guests and a top-class panel of experts.
Barkeeper of the year
Michael Müller had already proven his skills with a convincing performance in the qualifying round on August 25. In the grand finale at the Award Night, the 34-year-old Barkeeper from the American Bar, formerly the Gütsch Bar at the Hotel Château Gütsch, went one better and won over the palates and hearts of the jury with his personal cocktail creations "Third Time" and "The Charm". He now holds the title of Barkeeper of the Year 2025 for one year.
Further Bar Awards went to Thun, St. Gallen, Zurich and St. Moritz
Melina Reusser, a young talent from Thun , won the title of Best Barkeeper Talent 2025. The 19-year-old bartender from Thun works at the Atelier Classic Bar on Rathausplatz in Thun and beat off her competitors with an impressive performance in the qualifying round on August 25.
Best Newcomer Bar
The Best Newcomer Bar 2025 award goes to St. Gallen in Eastern Switzerland. The award for the best new opening or reopening goes to the August Bar. Opened in November 2024, managing director and owner Ruedi Gamper, together with bar manager Hannes Burger and his team, have succeeded in creating a three-storey venue that combines the best of bar, pub and fumoir within a short space of time.
Best Longseller Bar
The Atelier Classic Bar in Thun received the Best Longseller Bar 2025 award. With plenty of innovation, a family atmosphere, a down-to-earth attitude and great support for young talent in the hospitality industry, Ivan Urech's Atelier Classic Bar has become an integral part of the Swiss bar scene.
It has been a place to be in Thun for over 10 years. The bar with its time-honored vaulted cellar is a place of community, enjoyment and comfort.
Best Bar Menu
The award for the best bar menu 2025 also goes to Galerie Boutique Bar in Thun . Based on the bar's interior design, which has the jungle as its theme, the interactive bar menu continues the story. The vision was to create a mysterious book as a bar card that, in combination with the right key (cell phone), brings the jungle to life. This unusual concept, the attention to detail and the elaborate implementation were enough to win the title of Best Bar Menu.
Best Hotel Bar
Baur's Bar at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich is the best hotel bar of 2025. The bar is a synthesis of style, atmosphere and personality. It was created by renowned designer Martin Brudnizki in close collaboration with the owner family. This is where the heart of Zurich meets international flair: the service is personal, charming and full of character, just like the crafted cocktails, sophisticated highballs and non-alcoholic drinks, which are served as true works of art in a glass.
Best Bar Team
The Best Bar Team 2025 award went to the team from N/5 The Bar at the Hotel Grace La Margna in St. Moritz. The ten-strong bar team impressed the jury with their genuine passion, high level of expertise and strong team spirit. Every single member of staff brings personality, creativity and a host mentality to the table, resulting in exceptional service and unique bar experiences.
Lifetime Award
The 2025 Lifetime Award, which was presented for only the third time in the history of the awards, went to Markus Blattner, owner of the Old Crow Bar in Zurich. With his simple yet profound philosophy "I believe in humanity", he has been successfully running the Old Crow Bar since 2013. Before that, he ran the Widder Bar in Zurich for 13 years. Ruedi Zotter (initiator of the Swiss Bar Awards) presented him with this honorable award as an inspiration for an entire generation of bartenders and as a host who makes the world a little more beautiful at night.
Overview of winners of the SWISS BAR AWARDS 2025
Barkeeper of the year 2025
Michael Müller, Hotel Château Gütsch, Lucerne
Best Barkeeper Talent 2025
Melina Reusser, Atelier Classic Bar, Thun
Best Newcomer Bar 2025
August Bar, St. Gallen
Best Longseller Bar 2025
Atelier Classic Bar, Thun
Best Bar Menu 2025
Galerie Boutique Bar, Thun
Best Hotel Bar 2025
Baur's Bar, Baur au Lac, Zurich
Best Bar Team 2025
N/5 The Bar, Grace La Margna, St. Moritz
Lifetime Award 2025
Markus Blattner, Old Crow Bar, Zurich
SWISS BAR AWARDS:
The most prestigious awards of the Swiss bar scene
The trade magazine BAR NEWS has been presenting the most important awards in the Swiss bar scene since 2003: the SWISS BAR AWARDS. This year, talented Barkeeper and popular bars will be honored with awards for the 23rd 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
