India Bar Awards Celebrate Excellence at Delhi Cocktail Week
The spirit of India’s vibrant bar industry was celebrated in full glory at the prestigious India Bar Awards, hosted during the much-anticipated Delhi Cocktail Week. The evening brought together top mixologists, bar owners, hospitality leaders, and industry innovators under one roof to honor excellence, creativity, and innovation in the bar ecosystem.
The awards recognized standout performers across multiple categories. HIKKI emerged as a big winner, securing both Bar of the Year and Best Bar in Delhi, while Call Me Ten was awarded Best Bar Team of the Year. Pendulo took home accolades for Bar Employer of the Year and Bar Food Menu of the Year, showcasing consistency in both people management and culinary excellence.
Innovation remained at the forefront, with DLF Club3 Lounge Bar winning Bar Innovator(s) of the Year, while Potions was recognized for Drinks Menu of the Year. Rising talent was also celebrated, with Dishant Kanojia named Emerging Bartender of the Year and Monika Singh winning Best Female Bartender of the Year.
Luxury and niche concepts also took center stage. 1911 Bar at The Imperial, New Delhi was awarded Hotel Bar of the Year, while IRISS Experience Bar, Goa secured New Bar of the Year. The Agave Room stood out with dual wins for Specialist Bar of the Year and Best Bartenders’ Bar.
Regional excellence was highlighted with Marieta winning Best Bar in Gurgaon and Chica Loca by Sunny Leone taking Best Bar in Noida. Sustainability and digital presence were also acknowledged, with Unico winning Sustainable Practices Award and Swad Official being recognized for Social Media Presence of the Year. The prestigious Outstanding Contribution / Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sandeep Verma.
Competition Highlights
Alongside the awards, the event hosted high-energy competitions featuring some of the finest bartenders from across the globe:
National Bartenders Championship (NBC) – Classic Category
- Winner: Sagar Khuntia (India)
- 2nd Place: Nagesh Avadootha (India)
- 3rd Place: Ishaan Kaushal (India)
NBC – Flair Category
- Winner: Gagan Arora (India)
- 2nd Place: Sarthak Jugran (India)
- 3rd Place: Akash Kohli (India)
Golden Peacock Competition – Classic Category
- Winner: Armen Halivoryan (Republic of Armenia)
- 2nd Place: Aiman Hakeem Zamarol Azmi (Malaysia)
- 3rd Place: Huy-Philip Trinh Quan (United States)
Golden Peacock Competition – Flair Category
- Winner: Nabin Dhami (Nepal)
- 2nd Place: Andrew Korolev (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Sarthak Jugran (India)
A Night of Celebration & Industry Growth
The India Bar Awards at Delhi Cocktail Week not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced the rapid evolution of India’s bar culture. From sustainability to mixology innovation and digital influence, the winners reflected the industry’s dynamic future.
With growing global recognition, India’s bar industry continues to set new benchmarks, and events like these play a crucial role in spotlighting talent and inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals.