Calling all bartenders and mixologists! The finalists have been announced for the Havana Club 2020 Bar Entrepreneur Awards. Here’s why you should watch the ceremony and get involved…
At 3DHQ, we’re super excited about this year’s Bar Entrepreneur Awards taking place on Monday 25th January, which celebrates the most dynamic and pioneering figures within the bartending community across the globe who have impressed the judges in what has been a year of extraordinary challenges. Are you tuning in?
What are the Bar Entrepreneur Awards?
The Bar Entrepreneur Awards are brought to us by Havana Club, the globally renowned, authentic Cuban rum who seek to recognise and celebrate exceptional bartending entrepreneurs and crown a winner from a shortlist of 13 finalists over 4 continents.
When & Where?
Join Havana Club in a virtual celebration of the finalists at 1pm GMT on January 25th, 2021. In this lively celebration of talent, which will be hosted by our friend and global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell, you’ll be treated to a live concert from an international rapper and inspirational speeches from key spokespeople in the spirits world.
Click here to sign up to watch.
To find out more, visit and follow @havanaclub_pro on Instagram and use the hashtag #BEA2020.
Awards & Prizes
The winner will be awarded €20,000 to invest in their business.
Other Awards
As well as crowing an overall winner, Havana Club will award €10,000 each to three other candidates who have shown determination and passion in the following categories:
The True Grit Award: Honouring strength, resilience and bravery during the most challenging period of modern-day hospitality.
One to Watch: Focusing on emerging talent and the achievements of those under the age of 30.
Social & Eco Entrepreneurship: Recognising a commitment to improving the environment or a local community, while achieving business success.
Anne Martin, Global Marketing Director at Havana Club International, had this to say about the competition:
“I am incredibly proud of Havana Club’s commitment in supporting bar owners, who are the driving force behind our favourite bars. As a brand, we have been committed to supporting the community throughout the pandemic through various initiatives such as the Entrepreneur Frontline and Havana Club Hangouts, and we are continuing to recognise and award these key players by celebrating their entrepreneurship. The Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur Awards acknowledge their passion and offer a fantastic opportunity to expand their status in the community even further. We wish all our finalists the very best of luck at the grand finale.”
The Previous Winner
Last year’s 2019 winner was Carina Soto Velasquez from Paris, who wowed the judges through the launch of Quixotic Projects, shaking up the French capital’s bar scene. In an impressive move, Carina donated her prize to support the Parabere Forum; an annual event that gathers thought leaders in the field of gastronomy, food, and nutrition. Carina’s donation meant that a new ‘Parabere grant’ could be created, to offer opportunities for women to be given a voice and a platform to share their stories, build networks and achieve their goals.
2020 Finalists
Here is the full list of finalists for the 2020 Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur Awards:
1. Andrew Ho & Bastien Ciocca – Hope and Sesame, China
2. Claudia Cabrera – Katio Del Valle, Mexico
3. Dave Mulligan – Bar 1661, Ireland
4. Diego Cabrera – Salmon Guru, Spain
5. Igor Zernov – El Copitas Bar / Paloma Cantina / Must Have Bar, Russia
6. James Hopkins – London Cocktail Club, UK
7. Lucas Groglio – Coctelería Consciente, Argentina
8. Monica Berg – Tayer + Elementary, UK
9. Oliver Margan – Maybe Mae, Australia
10. Omer Gazit-Shalev – Monkey Business Group, Israel
11. Rani Al Raji – Brazzaville, Lebanon
12. Tato Giovannoni – Floreria Atlantico, Argentina
13. Yeferson Avila and Jean Trinh – Alquímico, Colombia
We think this relatively new competition is an absolute must for all passionate and driven mixologists and bartenders to gain recognition and kick start a new phase in their careers.
Will you be watching and will you enter next year?
Please share this with anyone you think should watch and get involved!
Team 3D x