Colorado is known for producing some of the best beer in the world, but cocktail fans here also have access to bars where mixology keeps step with some of the nation’s best. Need proof?
The 18th annual Spirited Awards, part of the esteemed Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans, recently announced its roster of 2024 regional honorees, which included three Denver bars. The annual competition is self-described as “honoring excellence in the drinks industry, showcasing the best of the global cocktail community.”
The divey Yacht Club (3701 N. Williams St.) earned recognition in two categories – the best bar team in the Western U.S. and best cocktail bar in the Western U.S. Meanwhile, chef/restaurateur Kelly Whitaker’s concepts OK Yeah and Hey Kiddo, which share a space at 4337 Tennyson St., were recognized as the best new bars in the region.
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The Spirited Awards honored more than 150 U.S. businesses in its regional announcement and more than 250 in the international part of the competition. But similarly to the James Beard Awards, the pool of worthy establishments will be whittled down twice more until it hands out accolades for the world’s best bar team, best cocktail bar, best hotel bar, best restaurant bar, and best new cocktail bar.
On May 29, the Spirited Awards will announce a top 10 for each category in the U.S. and internationally, before selecting a top four from across the globe on June 17. The winners of each category will be announced at a July 25 awards ceremony during Tales of the Cocktail in the Crescent City and crowned the world’s best.
In the last year, both Yacht Club and Whitaker have been magnets for national accolades. Yacht Club, for example, was named one of the top 50 bars in North America in 2023, while Whitaker earned Michelin stars for his restaurants Brutø and The Wolf’s Tailor. Whitaker is also a finalist for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
Founded in 2002 as a walking bar tour, Tales of the Cocktail has grown into the country’s most prestigious gathering of spirits industry professionals. Each summer, bartenders and brand reps flock to New Orleans – the birthplace of iconic libations like the Sazerac, Ramos Gin Fizz and Hurricane – to shake and stir until they drop. The conference also includes workshops, tastings, and other events. The Spirited Awards started in 2007.