Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-13
The global bar scene is buzzing with major award announcements and regional festivals. Takuma Watanabe was named the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award winner, while Buenos Aires Cocktail Week concluded with a massive closing party in Villa Crespo. Meanwhile, Japanese media highlighted Suntory’s unique "Finalist Bar" concept, allowing public voting on finalist cocktails ahead of the national competition finals.
Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-13
Top developments
Takuma Watanabe Crowned Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award Winner
On September 11, 2026, The Spirits Business reported that Takuma Watanabe, co-founder of New York bar Martiny’s, has won the prestigious Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2026. This award is distinct because it is voted on by fellow industry professionals rather than critics or consumers, marking a significant peer-recognized achievement for the New York bartender. Watanabe’s win underscores his influence in the US cocktail scene, having previously been recognized by other major bodies like Tales of the Cocktail
Buenos Aires Cocktail Week Closes with "Tomemos Thames" Mega-Event
The Buenos Aires Cocktail Week 2026, which ran from September 6 to September 12, culminated in a major closing event at Bar 878 in Villa Crespo. On Saturday, September 12, the venue hosted the 9th edition of "Tomemos Thames," featuring 12 of Argentina’s top bartenders serving signature cocktails to close out the week’s festivities. This event highlighted the strong community aspect of the Latin American bar scene, bringing together competitors and guests from across the region for a final celebration
Japan’s Suntory Launches Interactive "Finalist Bar" Experience
Ahead of the finals for "Suntory The Bartender Award 2026," the company opened a pop-up "Finalist Bar" in Tokyo starting around September 8, 2026. The concept allows patrons to taste creations from the eight finalists and vote for their favorites, directly engaging the consumer in the judging process. This initiative reflects a growing trend of democratizing cocktail competitions and offering immersive brand experiences in Japan
Local view
Japan: Local tech and lifestyle media, such as Dtimes, are focusing heavily on the interactive elements of the Suntory Bartender Award, noting how the "Finalist Bar" allows customers to participate in the selection process. This highlights a shift towards consumer engagement in traditionally expert-led competitions in the Japanese market.
Argentina: In Buenos Aires, local outlets like Buenos Bares emphasized the communal spirit of the Cocktail Week closing, describing the gathering at Bar 878 as the "epicenter" of Argentine cocktail culture for the weekend. The focus was on the collaboration between 12 leading bartenders rather than just individual competition results.
Context & numbers
UK Pub Sector Contraction: The UK hospitality sector continues to face significant headwinds. On September 10, 2026, a major restaurant chain completed the permanent closure of all its remaining 106 UK sites after 52 years of operation. Additionally, Whitbread has announced the closure of 66 Table Table, Bar + Block, and Cookhouse + Pub locations this week as part of a broader restructuring effort.
US Bar Industry Growth: Despite local closures, the broader US bars and nightclubs industry is projected to have reached $38.6 billion in revenue by 2026, reflecting a 2.8% CAGR over the previous five years. Stable alcohol consumption among affluent demographics continues to support this growth.
On the radar
- Suntory Bartender Award Finals: Following the "Finalist Bar" voting period, the final results of the Suntory The Bartender Award 2026 will be announced soon, with the winner likely to gain significant international attention given Suntory's global presence.
- September Cocktail Recipes: The Spirits Business released a curated list of top cocktail recipes for September 2026, offering new ideas for bars looking to refresh their menus for the autumn season.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
