This morning, The T25 Bartenders Awards unveiled its Top 25 bartenders list, as selected by the bartenders themselves. Impressively, out of the winning bartenders, ten were not featured in last year’s Awards, shining a light on the fast rate of progression and change of Australia’s bartending scene.
The Awards, which will be presented in February next year, will mark ten years since the first T25 instalment in 2015.
“As we celebrate a decade of T25, we reflect on what it means to be recognized as Australia’s top talent in the hospitality industry,” said Hayley Morison, T25’s Ambassador.
“These bartenders are the heart and soul of the hospitality scene, crafting memorable experiences for guests and elevating the standards of service across the nation… Independently run and managed, these awards aren’t tied to any single brand; instead, they represent a collective effort from leading brands to support and uplift the on-premise scene in Australia.”
Without further adieu, these are Australia’s Top 25 bartenders:
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s T25 Australian Bartenders, a prestigious group that truly embodies the spirit of talent, experience, community, and innovation of our beloved craft,” said Hayley Morison.
“These bartenders are the heart and soul of the hospitality scene, crafting memorable experiences for guests and elevating the standards of service across the nation.”
All 25 winners were selected via a two-stage voting process conducted entirely by Australia’s bartending trade: First, Bartenders were nominated for the award by a panel of 40 brand ambassadors, thus creating the Top 100 Bartenders list. Next, those 100 bartenders are invited to vote on each other to create the Bartender’s Bartender ranking of the Top 25, the ultimate list of the best bartending talent in the country.
According to Hayley Morison, one of the drawcards of this process is that it also recognises bartenders that choose not to participate in bartending competitions.
“Not every bartender aspires to compete in cocktail competitions, yet those events often serve as the benchmark for measuring talent,” she said.
“The T25 Bartender Awards provide a unique perspective on the bartending world that other competitions can’t match, honouring those who truly embody the spirit of talent, experience, creativity, community, and innovation of our beloved craft.”
This year, Victoria managed to reclaim the title of most represented state, producing eight of the 25 top bartenders, up from six in last year’s competition. Meanwhile, NSW dropped from 10 bartenders in 2023 to seven in this year's awards.
All 25 winners will be invited to the T25 Bartender Awards event in Sydney starting from 24 February 2025, World Bartender Day.
Hayley Morison said, “it’s about fostering an environment where innovation thrives, and where the next generation of talent is inspired to push boundaries. Join us in celebrating these remarkable bartenders who are shaping the future of our industry and honouring a legacy of excellence that will inspire many for years to come.”
The T25 Bartenders Awards are supported by the following brands:
- Giffard Liqueurs
- Fernet-Branca
- Joseph Cartron
- Angel’s Envy Bourbon
- Maker’s Mark
- Basil Hayden
- Roku
- Ford’s Gin
- Diplomatico Rum
- Jack Daniel’s Bonded
- Campari
- Espolòn Tequila
- Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
- Nusa Caña
- Lost Explorer Mezcal
- 1800 Tequila
- Ron De Santiago
- BUMBU Rum
- Starward Whisky
- Four Roses Bourbon
- Monkey Shoulder
- Fever-Tree
- Paramount Liquor
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