Bar design is about to receive its biggest boost as The World’s 50 Best Bars launches their Bareksten Best Bar Design Award. For the first time ever, the event will celebrate and recognize the very best in bar design.

Judged by an esteemed panel of hospitality design experts from around the globe, the award will applaud thoughtful and appropriate bar design, touching on pillars such as aesthetics, ecological compatibility, innovation, accessibility, emotional quotient, and ergonomics.

This category expands on the World’s 50 Best Bars ecosystem to promote innovative and creative bar creation through design.

Esteemed Hospitality Judges

Six judges, specializing in hospitality design from around the world, will be awarding the most outstanding bar designs.

Each judge carries a unique perspective:

Alia Akkam, a famous journalist from New York residing in Budapest, has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Anirudh Singhal, the mind behind Speedx, maximizes space with ergonomic design principles.

Bethan Ryder, with 25 years in design and travel journalism, is a celebrated figure in the bar design community. Paul Semple, co-founder of MSDO, has a keen eye for design’s role in the hospitality industry.

Scott Baird, founder of Rococo Cantaloupe, brings creativity and passion to his Bay Area agency. And Shaun Clarkson, a London-based designer with 32 years of experience, offers unique ideas and solutions.

Genuine Norwegian Hospitality

Regarding the award, Stig Bareksten, Founder and Master Distiller of Oss Craft Distillery, commented, “We are excited to sponsor this award because design has always been a crucial element for Bareksten.”

Bareksten embodies the essence of Norway. Its dark, wild, breathtaking and dramatic profile is a sensory experience like no other. Using traditional techniques and premium Norwegian ingredients, Bareksten’s botanical wonders hold clean, crisp flavors sure to wow.

Unwavering commitment to quality has earned Bareksten multiple awards, including Best Spirit of the Year 2022 in the London Spirits Competition and Double Gold 2020-2022 in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. These accolades alone, among others, make Bareksten the perfect sponsor for the new award category.

“When I launched my brand, my goal was not only to enhance our customers’ drinking experience but also to visually impact them with our design. Similarly, I believe that bars must focus creatively on the overall environment that hosts the experience, including bar design. This is why I believe bar design should be recognized.”

Setting the Bar Since 2009

Owned and organized by William Reed, The World’s 50 Best Bars publishes an annual list of the best drinking venues worldwide. Voted on by a global Academy of 650+ experts, the awards are the highlight of the industry calendar.

Those passionate about bars can even participate through self-nomination. Entries officially open today, Tues. April 25, 2023 and will be accepted until June. The winner of the award will be announced at The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony in Singapore on October 17th, 2023.

Cocktail lovers can tune into The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and YouTube channel for live updates during the announcement ceremony.

The Bareksten Best Bar Design Award promises to be a game-changer in the bar industry, holding bars to a higher standard of thoughtful and appropriate design. Not only will thoughtfully designed bars look better, but customers are sure to appreciate the effort put into making them a comfortable and accessible space.

So, let’s raise a glass to the designers taking part, and the judges who work to recognize the very best in bar design. And to all the bar owners, it’s time to give your customers and patrons a new level of drinking experience through beautiful bar design!