Following an intensive selection process involving a panel of experts, which began in May with the call for entries, the shortlist for the 2026 Swiss Bar Awards has now been finalized. Three bartenders, three up-and-coming talents, nine bars, three bar teams, and three bar menus have made it onto the shortlist and thus into the finals.
Starting now, you can vote for the finalists on the website swissbarawards.ch/voting. The results of this vote will account for 5% of the final evaluation. Two pairs of tickets to the grand Awards Night will be raffled off among all participants. Below is an overview of the 2026 shortlist:
Barkeeper of the year
In the supreme discipline of the competition:
- André Haueter, Cocktail Bar Zum Türk, Solothurn
- Maria Romeou, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen
- Ramiro Smith, The Seven Spirits Bar – Bergwelt Grindelwald
Best Barkeeper Talent
These three up-and-coming talents represent the future of the Swiss bar scene:
- Shane Guerra, Felix Bar, Zurich
- Pascal Maslic, Twenty’s Cocktail Bar, Biel
- Marc Pfister, Bar Rouge, Basel
Best Bar Team
Teamwork is at the forefront of these bar teams:
- Baur’s Bar, Hotel Baur au Lac, Zurich
- Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen
- Marea Cocktail Bar, Zurich
Best Longseller Bar
These bars have been proving their quality for years:
- American Bar, Hotel Château Gütsch, Lucerne
- Bellevue Bar & Le Fumoir, Bellevue Palace, Bern
- Louis Bar, Art Deco Hotel Montana, Lucerne
Best Bar Menu
Creativity and innovation are reflected in these bar cards:
- Bar Iris, Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle, Zurich
- Le Vestibule, Lausanne
- Plant 8, Basel
Best Hotel Bar
There are three first-class hotel bars to choose from:
- Botanicum Bar, Appenzeller Huus, Gonten
- Einstein Bar, Hotel Einstein, St. Gallen
- Widder Bar, Widder Hotel, Zurich
Best Newcomer Bar
Three promising new openings are competing:
- Botanic Bar, Frauenfeld
- Incline Restaurant Bar Brunch, Lucerne
- L’Heure Bleue Bar, Biel
Award Night
The big Awards Night will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, starting at 5:00 p.m. at Trafo in Baden. Tickets are now available at swissbarawards.ch.
As of now: Online voting
This year, the Swiss Bar Awards are once again holding a public online vote. You have until October 4 to vote online for your favorites and give them what could be the deciding edge in the race for a “ Swiss Bar Award .” Cast your vote now and, with a little luck, win great prizes!
