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Submission Open
July 1, 2026
Early Deadline
September 30, 2026
Judging Day
May 23, 2027
Winner Announcement
June 10, 2027
For Winners
About
Bartender Spirits Awards Aims To Deliver The Best Spirits For On-Premise Sector In USA. “Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers and Off-Premise Managers For The On-Premise Industry,” the Bartender Spirits Awards will recognize, encourage, promote and celebrate excellence in the U.S. drinks industry.
Why Enter
If you are looking to sell more of your spirits to on-premise establishments such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, and bars, then you need to enter the Bartender Spirits Awards.
Judging Process
Each spirit brand is reviewed on the basis of mixability; balance and versatility; taste, mouthfeel, and finish. Once the blind tasting is done, spirits are further rated by price and package. Top bartenders within the industry review all blind tasting samples, ensuring that every entrant receives unbiased consideration by top influencers within the industry.
Meet Our Judges
Richard Beltzer
Beverage Director at Muhājir and BOBO, Chicago
Lynn House
National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist at Heaven Hills
Krys Irizarry
Beverage Director and Award-Winning Bartender and Spirits Expert
Steven Minor
Corporate Beverage Director at Starwood Hotels
David Mor
Beverage Director and Partner at Mirra, Lilac Tiger, TRUCE and Mariela
Danny Shapiro
Founding Partner and Beverage Director at Scofflaw Group, Chicago
Jared Sowinski
Director of Beverage at Upward Projects Restaurant Group | Postino WineCafe | Joyride Taco House | Windsor | Federal Pizza
Charles Steadman
Director of Food & Beverage Experience and Strategic Partnerships at Virgin Voyages
Get Rated by Bartenders, On-Premise Buyers, and Bar Managers
The Bartenders Spirits Awards is where brands are judged for on-premise channels by on-premise trade buyers and tastemakers.
Bartenders are the true bar influencers. Their passions and tastes guide consumer choices, whether through wine, beer, or spirit recommendations. The creation of new drinks is driven by bartenders’ tastes and their perception of current trends.
This is a practical, independent, unbiased evaluation for brands targeting the US on-premise trade, giving buyers a trusted reference when making purchasing decisions.
Our judging panel includes some of the most respected names in the US bar industry.
What happened at BSA events?
Videos
Press
Insights
All You Need To Know Before Setting Foot In The U.S. Spirits Market
Producer Profiles
Beyond Logistics: The Importer as Brand Builder — Lessons from SG Worldwide
Insights
Meet the Expert: Zachary Faden Joins the Bartender Spirits Awards 2026
