Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has revealed the winners of this year’s Spirited Awards, with London’s Lyaness taking the World’s Best Bar accolade.

Now in its 16th year, the Spirited Awards aims to recognise talent across the drinks industry, from bars and bartenders, to writers and podcast creators. The top four finalists in each category were revealed last month.

The 2022 Spirited Awards winners were announced during the ceremony held last night (28 July) at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, during the 20th Tales of the Cocktail festival.

Last year’s Spirited Awards differed from previous years as the TOTCF made the decision not to focus on bars and bartenders as they could not be judged fairly as a result of the pandemic.

In 2020, the World’s Best Bar category was scrapped as judges were unable to visit the nominated venues to assess them due to restrictions on travel.

“The Spirited Awards celebrates excellence in our industry and this year’s winners embody that standard so well,” said Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards’ overall chair.

“After a difficult few years, it is truly inspiring to gather together once more and see what these recognitions really mean to everyone nominated.”

Lyaness, located in the Sea Containers hotel on London’s South Bank, took home this year’s World’s Best Bar title, as well as the Best International Hotel Bar accolade.

The site, founded by Ryan Chetiyawardana, previously received the World’s Best Bar gong in the 2017 Spirited Awards when it was formerly known as Dandelyan. It closed a year later and was reopened in 2019 as Lyaness with a new design and a move away from traditional cocktail menus.

Last November, Lyaness revealed its third cocktail list, featuring five house-made ingredients and a culinary-driven approach.

London venues dominated the International categories – Monica Berg and Alex Kratena’s Tayēr + Elementary won Best International Cocktail Bar, Sexy Fish secured Best International Restaurant Bar and Remy Savage’s A Bar with Shapes for a Name grabbed the Best New International Cocktail Bar title.

Savage, former head bartender at London hotel bar Artesian, also received the International Bartender of the Year award.

In the States, Japanese-inspired dive bar Katana Kitten won the Best US Cocktail Bar and Best US Bar Team accolades.

Chetiyawardana’s Silver Lyan bar at the Riggs in Washington DC, his first US outpost, also walked away with the Best US Hotel Bar award.

Scroll down to discover the winners from the 2022 Spirited Awards.

International categories

International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón Tequila

Remy Savage — A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

Lauren Mote

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

Martin Hudak — Mr Black Spirits

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

Maybe Sammy — Sydney, Australia

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo

Sexy Fish — London, UK

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK

US categories

US Bartender of the Year presented by Del Maguey

Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA

Best US Bar Mentor presented by Bar Smarts

Sean Kenyon

Best US Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey Glass

Lynn House — Heaven Hill

Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Katana Kitten — New York, NY

Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

Katana Kitten — New York, NY

Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Silver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC — Washington, DC

Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA

Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Aviation Gin

Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM

Writing and media categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Vine Pair

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy

The Cocktail Lovers

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Diageo Bar Academy

‘Get Real: The bar world looks beyond feel-good measures on sustainability and climate change’ by Max Falkowitz, for Imbibe Magazine

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy

The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum

Global categories

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Little Red Door — Paris, France

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

Jack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, DC

Pioneer Award presented by The Blend

Amanda Gunderson – CEO and co-founder, Another Round Another Rally

Timeless International Award presented by Jägermeister

Harry’s New York Bar — Paris, France

Timeless US Award presented by Johnnie Walker

Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel — New York, NY

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons

Julie Reiner — co-founder, Clover Club, Leyenda, Social Hour Cocktails and Mixtress Consulting

World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK