The 2025 barsforKings Awards

Bartender of the Year 2025

The bartender behind 2025's most-discussed list of cocktails.

2025 Winner
Iván Talavera
Tres Monos, Buenos Aires

Argentine bartender behind Buenos Aires' most-influential cocktail bar of the past three years. The 2025 award recognises the work behind the menu — both the cocktails on it and the staff trained around it.

2025 finalists

Yuki Hara
Bar Orchard, Tokyo
Monica Berg
Tayer + Elementary, London
Erick Castro
Polite Provisions, San Diego
Margarita Sader
Coa, Hong Kong

How the vote works

All five barsforKings regional editors submit a shortlist after the year's final round of visits in early December. Shortlists are debated at the December editorial meeting; ties are broken by the senior editor for the relevant region. Final winners are ratified before the second Tuesday of January.

No bar can pay to appear on a shortlist. Sponsorships do not influence editorial decisions. Past winners are reviewed annually and may be moved to the Hall of Fame after a third consecutive top-five finish.

Other 2025 awards