30BestBarsIndia has announced the short list of the Top 100 bars that have made it to the final round of polling for the coveted 30 Best Bars ranking for 2023. The short list is based on a poll of a 75-member jury of experts and bar connoisseurs across the country. A larger nationwide jury of more than 200 members will vote for the final rankings, which will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in Goa on January 15, 2024.
A total of 216 bars from over a dozen cities were nominated this year, of which the Top 100 made the shortlist. As many as 38 of these are new entrants and are located not just in the major metros, but also in the smaller cities.
Bangalore leads the pack with 19 bars, followed by Delhi and Goa at 15 each, Mumbai at 13, Kolkata 8, Pune 7, and Chennai at 4. Among the states, Rajasthan is a big winner this year, with as many as 6 bars in the list spread over four cities - Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner - making it the biggest geographical spread achieved by any state in the country, besides Goa.
Goa is also a big focus for 30BestBarsIndia this year, with the decision to move the awards ceremony there for the 2023 edition. This, in many ways, is a recognition of the state's role at the forefront of the growth in the country's alco-bev manufacturing, as well its thriving bar scene.
The Top 100 bars stand out for their strong beverage programs, innovative bar menus, design aesthetics, general ambience, and quality of service of their bar team. Over the next few weeks, the larger jury will cast their votes across six categories - Best Bar, Best Hotel Bar, Best Restaurant Bar, Best Independent Bar, Best Microbrewery or Taproom, and Best Cocktail Menu.
A technical jury will vote on the Best Bartender and Bar Team, and a special jury will vote on the Best Bar Design. Awards in four categories – Timeless Bar, Industry Icon, Best Work in Sustainability, and the new entrant, Best Non-Alcoholic Bar Menu, will be decided by the 30BestBars team.
Co-founded in 2019 by Vikram Achanta and Radhakrishnan Nair of Bar 30 India LLP, 30BestBarsIndia aims to raise awareness about the rising standards of Indian bars and beverages nationally, and on international platforms.
