Awards & Recognition
Understanding the prestigious honors and recognitions featured on our venue pages
Global Prestige
The highest honors in the cocktail and bar industry, recognized worldwide.
The most prestigious ranking in the global bar industry. Published annually, this list is determined by over 600 drinks experts from around the world. Making the top 50 is considered the ultimate achievement for any cocktail bar.
Learn more →Often called the "Oscars of the cocktail world," these awards celebrate excellence in the international drinks industry. Categories include Best Bar Team, Best New Cocktail Bar, and World's Best Bars.
Learn more →While primarily known for culinary excellence, the James Beard Foundation also recognizes outstanding bar programs in the United States. This is one of the most prestigious honors an American bar can receive.
Learn more →Regional & National Excellence
Prestigious recognitions celebrating the best bars within specific countries or regions.
The definitive ranking of Canadian cocktail bars, published annually. This list highlights the country's top drinking destinations and emerging talent.
Learn more →An extension of the World's 50 Best Bars, this regional list recognizes the top bars across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Learn more →Tales of the Cocktail also presents regional Spirited Awards, recognizing excellence in specific geographic areas including Canada, Latin America, and various U.S. regions.
Learn more →Industry Lists & Recognition
Curated lists and rankings from respected industry publications and organizations.
Published by one of the leading drinks media outlets, this list highlights innovative and influential bars across North America.
Learn more →A comprehensive global ranking from the respected cocktail recipe and bar guide platform. Inclusion indicates consistent quality and industry respect.
Learn more →Recognition from local publications, tourism boards, and hospitality organizations. Examples include "Best Cocktail Bar" awards from city magazines and local industry groups.
How We Display Awards
Hero Section Badges
A venue's top 3 most prestigious awards appear as compact vertical badges in the hero section, directly under the overall score. Each badge shows the award name and year in a mobile-friendly design, with all badges linking to this awards page for more information.
Simplified Branding
Awards use our own simplified branding for clarity: "🌍 50 Best" for World's 50 Best Bars, "🍁 100 Best" for Canada's 100 Best, and concise names for other recognitions. The emoji icons help users quickly identify global (🌍) versus national (🍁) awards at a glance.
Featured Display
We feature only the top 3 awards for each venue to maintain a clean, uncluttered design that highlights the most significant recognitions. This focused approach helps users quickly identify exceptional establishments at a glance.
Why Awards Matter
Industry awards and recognitions serve as valuable indicators of a bar's quality, innovation, and consistency. They represent the collective judgment of drinks professionals, writers, and experts who have visited thousands of bars worldwide.
While awards are impressive, they're just one aspect of what makes a bar great. We encourage you to explore our detailed ratings, reviews, and descriptions to find the perfect venue for your taste and occasion.
Award information is updated regularly as new recognitions are announced. If you notice an award that should be included, please let us know through our contact page.