2026 Environment Award Winner – Dover Yard, 1 Hotel Mayfair

Giulio Guarini, Director of Bars at Dover Yard, 1 Hotel Mayfair, celebrates the venue’s win of The Environment Award at the 2026 Bar Magazine Awards – a recognition of the team’s commitment to thoughtful sourcing, waste reduction and a more environmentally conscious approach to hospitality.

What does winning this award mean to you and the team, and how does it inspire your next goals?
Winning Sustainable Bar of the Year is incredibly meaningful, both personally and professionally. It recognises the thought, effort and values that went into creating Dover Yard as a space where sustainability isn’t just a concept, but part of the day-to-day operation. It motivates us to keep raising the bar – finding new ways to reduce waste, work with responsible suppliers, and show that hospitality can be both high quality and environmentally conscious.

Can you share a defining moment for the venue – what was it that led you and the team to where you are today?
A defining moment was deciding that if we were going to create Dover Yard, it had to reflect a more responsible way of operating a bar. That meant questioning traditional practices – from sourcing ingredients to managing waste – and building sustainability into the design and operation from the beginning. Taking that approach helped shape what Dover Yard is today and, ultimately, contributed to this recognition.

How do you strive to make a meaningful impact in your field?
We aim to demonstrate that sustainability and great hospitality can go hand in hand. By prioritising seasonal ingredients, reducing waste, and working closely with thoughtful suppliers, we try to set an example that small operational choices can make a real difference when they’re done consistently.

What advice would you give to fellow bars looking to achieve similar success as Dover Yard?
Stay authentic in what you believe in and be consistent. Sustainability in hospitality isn’t about one big gesture – it’s about hundreds of small decisions made every day. If you stay committed to those values, and focus on quality, recognition tends to follow naturally.

What’s next for Dover Yard in terms of future goals?
In the short-term, the focus is on continuing to refine and improve how Dover Yard operates, finding new ways to reduce our footprint while maintaining a great guest experience. Long-term, we’d love to expand the concept and show that sustainable practices can be scaled without losing the creativity, atmosphere and quality that make hospitality special.