Own the Spotlight
The Bar Magazine Awards return for 2027, calling on the UK’s most ambitious operators, innovators and hospitality heroes to step up, be seen, and be celebrated on the industry’s biggest stage.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Bar Magazine Awards – your opportunity to step forward, celebrate excellence across your team, and shine a light on the people and venues shaping the future of hospitality.
AWARDS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Each year, the awards recognise the individuals, concepts and teams redefining what great hospitality looks like across the UK. From visionary Venue Managers and boundary-pushing Mixologists to marketing innovators, sustainability champions and the industry’s Unsung Heroes, the ceremony reflects the full breadth of talent driving the sector forward.
Submitting an entry is about more than the possibility of winning. It’s a chance to tell your story properly – to articulate what you’ve built, benchmark your work against the very best in the industry, and gain recognition from a respected panel that understands what true excellence looks like. For many, even being shortlisted can elevate reputations, strengthen team culture, and unlock new opportunities.
Just as importantly, the BMAs are a platform to champion others. Hospitality is built on collaboration, and behind every standout venue are individuals whose contribution often goes unseen. Nominating peers is a way to ensure that dedication, creativity and consistency are properly acknowledged.
With categories spanning leadership, creativity, innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, group success and venue excellence, the 2027 Awards are designed to reflect the evolving priorities of the industry – and the people raising its standards every day.
OUR HOSTS
The 2027 ceremony will be guided by two hosts who represent modern hospitality at its most dynamic: Jack Sotti and Kate Meehan.
Jack Sotti brings a career shaped by global exploration and creative ambition. From early days in Leeds’ student bar scene to formative experiences in Auckland and the experimental cocktail culture of Melbourne, his journey has been defined by curiosity and craftsmanship. His time at Eau De Vie helped refine a theatrical, precision-led approach to bartending, while international recognition opened doors into consultancy, concept development and presenting. As host, his focus is on energy and storytelling – creating a sense of connection in the room and ensuring the celebration feels alive, inclusive and personal.
Kate Meehan brings over two decades of experience spanning bartending, distilling, brand building and media. Beginning her career in Liverpool, she moved through flair bartending and gin distillery development into large-scale hospitality and drinks consultancy, including work with media platforms such as Jamie Oliver’s Drinks Tube and high-profile private events. Her expertise spans both creativity and commercial strategy, with a strong focus on agave spirits and modern drinks innovation. Today, she continues to champion a people-first approach to hospitality, grounded in adaptability and evolution.
Together, Jack and Kate bring a hosting style that is deliberately unpolished in the best possible sense – energetic, responsive and deeply guest-focused. Expect spontaneity, humour and moments that feel shaped with the audience rather than performed at them. Their combined approach mirrors the Awards themselves: hospitality as a shared experience built on connection, creativity and care.
WHY APPLY OR NOMINATE?
• Gain industry recognition that matters
Be judged by an expert panel that understands real hospitality excellence and positions your work alongside the best in the UK.
• Tell your story beyond your venue walls
Showcase the ideas, people and achievements that define your impact over the past 12 months.
• Elevate your team and open new doors
Shortlisting alone can boost morale, strengthen reputation and create fresh opportunities for growth and visibility.
Whether you’re putting forward a standout individual, a pioneering venue, or your entire team, now is the time to share your achievements with the wider industry. Applications and nominations for the 2027 Bar Magazine Awards can be submitted directly via the official website, where you’ll find full category details, entry guidance, and deadlines. Take the opportunity to put your work in front of an expert judging panel and ensure the people and ideas shaping your success get the recognition they deserve.