NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 6, 2026)— Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is proud to announce the Middle East & Africa Regional Top 10 Honorees for the 20th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its inception in 2007, the Spirited Awards has become one of the world’s highest-regarded honors in the drinks industry, celebrating outstanding individuals, establishments, products, media, and leaders who continue to inspire the global cocktail community.
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will celebrate the Spirited Awards on July 23rd during the Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) conference, taking place in New Orleans from July 19-24, 2026. Food & Wine is the Spirited Awards Official Media Partner.
“The Spirited Awards exist to celebrate the talent and passion driving our global bar community forward, and this year’s Middle East and Africa nominees are a brilliant reflection of that. While we had originally planned to share this announcement at the Gulf Bar Show in Dubai, the ongoing conflict in the region made it clear that a change was necessary. Our hearts are with everyone affected. We are proud to bring this in-person celebration to Accra, Ghana and to honor the extraordinary professionals across the MEA region whose work continues to shape our industry,” said Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.
Divided into geographical regions – Asia Pacific (APAC), Canada, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C), Middle East & Africa (MEA), U.S. Central, U.S. East, and U.S. West – the Regional Top 10 Honorees represent the best in the industry, leaving a lasting impact on their local cocktail communities and beyond. To toast the 2026 Honorees, the Foundation is proud to recognize this inspiring group and announce the Spirited Awards Regional Top 10 Honorees.
2026 Spirited Awards® Middle East & Africa Regional Top 10 Honorees (in alphabetical order):
Middle East & Africa Establishments:
Best International Bar Team* presented by William Grant & Sons
- Amazonico — Dubai, UAE
- COYA Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- fable — Cape Town, South Africa
- Fizz — Beirut, Lebanon
- Front/Back Accra — Accra, Ghana
- Funky Monkey Cocktail Bar & Restaurant — Diani, Kenya
- LPM Restaurant & Bar Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Mimi Kakushi — Dubai, UAE
- Salmon Guru Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Sexy Fish Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Sin + Tax — Johannesburg, South Africa
- Sol Lounge Bar — Accra, Ghana
*12 Honorees due to a tie
Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard
- ANTHM — Cape Town, South Africa
- Cyrano — Beirut, Lebanon
- fable — Cape Town, South Africa
- Front/Back Accra — Accra, Ghana
- House of Butlers — Beirut, Lebanon
- Jass Lounge — Dubai, UAE
- Lucy Lu The Speakeasy — Beirut, Lebanon
- Re\volver — Nairobi, Kenya
- Salmon Guru Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Sin + Tax — Johannesburg, South Africa
- Sol Lounge Bar — Accra, Ghana
*11 Honorees due to a tie
Best International Hotel Bar
- Barfly by Buddha-Bar at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah — Dubai, UAE
- Grapeskin Wine Bar at Dubai La Ville Hotel — Dubai, UAE
- HERO at the Trademark Hotel — Nairobi, Kenya
- Jiko at Tribe Hotel — Nairobi, Kenya
- Level 43 Sky Lounge at Four Points by Sheraton — Dubai, UAE
- Library Bar at The Abu Dhabi EDITION — Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Look Up Rooftop Pool Bar at La Ville Hotel & Suites — Dubai, UAE
- Olive Bar at the Saxon Hotel — Sandton, South Africa
- The Manhattan Lounge at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort — Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Views Rooftop Bar & Lounge at The Neela — Stone Town, Tanzania
Best International Restaurant Bar
- beit é selam — Nairobi, Kenya
- Cultiva — Nairobi, Kenya
- Funky Monkey Cocktail Bar & Restaurant — Diani, Kenya
- Kōzo Restaurant — Accra, Ghana
- Le Trottoir de Paloma — Beirut, Lebanon
- LPM Restaurant & Bar Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Mimi Kakushi — Dubai, UAE
- No19 Accra Bar and Restaurant — Accra, Ghana
- Nobu Dubai — Dubai, UAE
- Upper Union — Cape Town, South Africa
Best New International Cocktail Bar*
- BamBoa — Lagos, Nigeria
- Diamono Bar at Terrou‑Bi Resort — Dakar, Senegal
- Groov Bar — Dakar, Senegal
- Jekyll & Hyde — Nairobi, Kenya
- Lady Bird — Dubai, UAE
- Lion in The Sun at Mandarin Oriental Downtown — Dubai, UAE
- MOJO’s Rum Cocktail Bar — Accra, Ghana
- Moon Bar by MiMi — Dubai, UAE
- Netsu Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira — Dubai, UAE
- Nkula Cocktail & Wine Boutique — Cape Town, South Africa
- Saikindō at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi — Abu Dhabi, UAE
*11 Honorees due to a tie
2026 Spirited Awards Committee
The Spirited Awards® Committee comprises revered bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers who are entrusted with evaluating nominees based on structured criteria. The experienced and diverse committee of judges brings years of expertise and knowledge of industry developments locally, nationally, and internationally. The Spirited Awards® nominations are not based on popular vote, and all nominations are evaluated by their respective judging committees, ensuring each vote carries equal weight in the evaluation process.
Honorees were selected by a panel of over 250 industry experts, led by the following Chair and Co-Chairs representing distinct regions:
International Chair & U.S. Chair:
- Tiffanie Barriere
- Ryan Chetiyawardana
Asia Pacific Co-Chairs:
- Philip Bischoff
- Alice Newport
- Shelley Tai
- Stephanie Wijono
Canada Co-Chairs:
- Kaitlyn Stewart
- Julia Wolkowski
Europe Co-Chairs:
- Camille Vidal
- Kaitlin Wilkes
Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs:
- Roberto Berdecia
- Claudia Cabrera
Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs:
- Richie Barrow
- Mallory Lee
- Lara Rawa
U.S. Central Co-Chairs:
- Amanda Carto
- Erika Flowers
U.S. East Co-Chairs:
- Vance Henderson
- Jaymee Mandeville
U.S. West Co-Chairs:
- Nick Amano Dolan
- Mary Allison Wright
Writing & Media Co-Chairs:
- Alia Akkam
- Erick Castro
Books Chair:
- Anna Sulan Masing
Timeless Co-Chairs:
- François Monti
- Rebecca Sturt
To learn more about the Spirited Awards Committee and awards criteria, please visit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards® page.
Spirited Awards® 2026 Timeline
Top 10 Nominees will be announced starting on May 19, 2026, Top 4 Finalists along with the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Tales Visionary Award, International Timeless Award, and U.S. Timeless Award will be named on June 8 and 9, 2026, and Spirited Awards Winners will be celebrated on July 23, 2026 at the 20th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony at the Fillmore New Orleans.
Spirited Awards® 2026 Partners
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards® sponsors: Food & Wine, William Grant & Sons, Pernod Ricard, and Innovation Beverage Group.
Spirited Awards® Directory
Tales of the Cocktail is pleased to share the Spirited Awards Directory, which gives discerning imbibers a comprehensive compendium of all Spirited Awards winners and nominees from the past 20 years. This resource is updated annually, making it a go-to guide for planning the perfect drinking and dining itinerary. Access the Spirited Awards Directory to explore award-winning bars.
24 Years of Inspiration & Tales of the Cocktail
This year, marking the 24-year anniversary, the conference returns with more seminars, events, and, of course, imbibing, all in the name of the conference’s 2026 theme, “Spark.” Chosen to represent the collective of individuals who come together to create, share, and find inspiration each year at Tales, the 2026 conference will highlight the global cocktail community that continues to inspire each other year after year.
To facilitate celebrations, Tales of the Cocktail’s 2026 official host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, provides a room block and special rate for attendees. The online reservation platform can be accessed via the Marriott website, here. Guests are invited to secure their reservations early as reservations are first come, first served, and the last day to book is June 22, 2026.
Please follow along for additional information on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website, Instagram, X, and Facebook.
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About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
About Food & Wine:
Food & Wine, the ultimate culinary and beverage authority, celebrates the global epicurean experience through its magazine, website, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, premium events such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and accolades like its annual Best New Chef and Drinks Visionaries awards. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel, and home coverage, the brand inspires and empowers people to discover, create, and devour the best in food and drink—every day and everywhere. Food & Wine is part of the People Inc. publishing family.
Media Inquiries:
BMF Media
TOTCF@wearebmf.com
