The Bar Awards Announce 2017 Winners in Kuala Lumpur!

Following a seven-week nominations and voting system that got the public and members of Kuala Lumpur’s F&B industry voting, The Bar Awards is proud to announce the winners for the 11 categories named for the awards’ first-ever showing in the city.

Announced live at an exclusive industry party on the night of October 22 at White Box (Publika), the party was attended by some 220 members of Kuala Lumpur’s hospitality and media community. To arrive at Kuala Lumpur’s 10 winners, the 11 categories for the city were first decided upon by the city’s Lead Panel in June 2017, a diverse group comprising industry players, media influencers, and more – people who help shape and change the KL bar scene on an ongoing basis. After the open call for names during the public nomination period from 31st August to 14th September, a larger panel of 38 industry leaders – key players from different facets of the F&B industry in Kuala Lumpur – later whittled down the list to the Top 10, the Top 4 and the winners.

“Kuala Lumpur’s party was an amazing way to close off The Bar Awards 2017 adventures. The Kuala Lumpur hospitality community is so passionate and hungry; it was great to be able to work with them to put together The Bar Awards biggest list of festivities yet,” says Tron Young, one of the editors of The Bar Awards across Asia. “We had over 20 events across five days, and seeing all the community come out to party is our icing on The Bar Awards 2017 cake.”

As Kuala Lumpur closes The Bar Awards 2017 season around Asia, the editorial team have started their grand plans for 2018. The Bar Awards will begin their 2018 season starting with Bangkok in February, then Hong Kong in May followed by Singapore in August and closing the year once again in Kuala Lumpur in November. There are also plans to add three new cities in 2018… Manila (Philippines), Penang (Malaysia), and Macau (China). Keep a close eye on their website and Facebook page for the most up to date information.

Here are the winners (and runner-up finalists) in the various categories of The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2017:

The Rising Star, presented by Perrier

1. Jason Julian (Hyde)
2. Janice Lau (The Pawn Room)
3. Osmond Bernard (formerly of Ikki)
4. Calzeno Clitus (Junglebird)

Best Restaurant Bar, presented by East Imperial

1. Mr. Chew’s Chino Latino Bar
2. Fuego
3. Ril’s (Bangsar)
4. Mercat Barcelona Gastrobar

Best Beer Bar, presented by Heineken

1. Taps Beer Bar (Changkat)
2. The Great Beer Bar
3. Ales & Lagers
4. Sid’s Pubs (All locations)

 Best Culinary Team, presented by Mancino Vermouth

1. Fuego
2. El Cerdo
3. Bonfire Restaurant & Bar
4. Bistro A Table

Best Hospitality Team, presented by Gekkeikan Sake

1. Coley
2. Junglebird
3. PS150
4. The Locker & Loft 

Most Creative Cocktail Bar, presented by Cointreau

1. Omakase & Appreciate
2. Coley
3. PS150
4. Coppersmith

Best New Cocktail Bar, presented by Campari

1. Junglebird – Mar 2017
2. Pahit – Jul 2017
3. Jack Rose – Jul 2017
4. Mr. Chew’s Chino Latino Bar – Apr 2017

 The Ada Coleman Award, presented by Havana Club Rum

1. Angel Ng (PS150)
2. Kim Choong (Thirst Magazine)
3. Shareen Yew (Single & Available)
4. Michelle Loh (TWE)

Bartender of the Year, presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey

1. Chee Kheong “CK” Kho (Coley & Pahit)
2. Shawn Chong (Omakase & Appreciate)
3. Angel Ng (PS150)
4. Rizal Junior Johari (Marini’s on 57)

Best Cocktail Bar, presented by The Botanist Gin

1. Coley
2. Omakase & Appreciate
3. PS150
4. Junglebird

Congratulations to all the winners and kudos to all the great nominees for their tireless efforts and influence in elevating the cocktail culture in Greater KL! For the latest news and trends in the Kuala Lumpur bar scene, pick up a copy of Thirst Magazine, visit thirstmag.com, and check in with us here at eatdrink.my. All photos courtesy of Sim Ewe Jin.