On the heels of the announcement of the 2017 Pineapple Awards Miami winner, thirsty and Spirited Miami will be partnering to bring the concept to the New York City market in Fall 2018. Created in 2016 by Spirited Miami, the Pineapple Awards celebrate the very best of the best in town surrounding all things drinks, drink makers and drinking destinations. Thirsty is a trusted resources for all things drinks and the alliance was born from a shared love of the beverage industry.
“We started the Pineapple Awards as a platform for the best and brightest in the industry,” explains Spirited Miami co-founder Gabriel Urrutia. “As we started this journey, we gained more and more support from our colleagues.”
Adds Gio Gutierrez: “It was in the best interest of the Pineapple Awards to create even more awareness and attention. Teaming with Thirsty is going to propel the Pineapple Awards into the national spotlight while highlighting extraordinary moments within the hospitality world each year. And we’re starting now, in 2018!”
As plans begin for expansion north (and eventually to other cities), thirsty and Spirited Miami yesterday presented the 2017 Pineapple Awards to winners in the Florida market including Best New Bar – Employees Only, Best Hidden Gem (Casa Florida) and Bartender of the Year (Will Thompson of Better Days). Users Winners included Best Cocktail Menu (The Anderson), Best Sommelier (John Lowe at Matador Room) and Best Happy Hour (Sweet Liberty).
You can view a full list of winners below and the all the nominees by visiting HERE.
Thirsty and Spirited Miami are eager for the Fall 2018 launch of the New York City Pineapple Awards, and to honor the beverage industry in the Big Apple.
“We are thrilled to partner with Spirited Miami in announcing the Pineapple Awards,” says thirsty co-founder Tara Fougner. “Thirsty celebrates all things in the beverage world, so this is a very natural union to toast to the best of Miami.
Editor’s Choice
- Best Local Beer Selection: Union Beer
- Best Brewery: J Wakefield
- Best Sommelier: Heath Porter (Uvaggio/No Name Chinese)
- Rising Bar Star: Giorgia Crea (Zucca)
- Best Hidden Gem: Casa Florida
- Bartender of the Year: Will Thompson (Better Days)
- Best Cocktail Menu: The Anderson
- Best Brand Ambassador: Walid Hamid (Avion Tequila)
- Best New Bar: Employees Only
- Best New Restaurant Bar: KYU
- Best New Product: Ancho Reyes Verde
- Best Happy Hour: Sweet Liberty
- Best Hotel Bar: La Sirenuse at the Four Seasons
- Best High Volume Bar: Sweet Liberty
- Bar of the Year: Employees Only
People’s Choice Winners
- Best Local Beer Selection: The Local
- Best Brewery: Wynwood Brewery
- Best Sommelier: John Lowe (Matador Room)
- Rising Bar Star: Yoly Baez (Broken Shaker)
- Best Hidden Gem: Casa Florida
- Bartender of the Year: Joshua Alperstein (The Anderson)
- Best Cocktail Menu: The Anderson
- Best Brand Ambassador: Ricardo Astudillo Carrion (Ilegal Mezcal)
- Best New Bar: Employees Only
- Best New Product: Beaker & Gray
- Best New Product: Ancho Reyes Verde
- Best Happy Hour: Sweet Liberty
- Best Hotel Bar: Matador Room
- Best High Volume Bar: Sweet Liberty
- Bar of the Year: Employees Only
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