Lauren Cusimano
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The Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards recognize bartenders and the places where they stir and shake unique tipples. This year, bars inside some of Phoenix’s best restaurants took the majority of the honors when the foundation announced its Regional Top 10 Honorees on Wednesday. One of the city’s top cocktail lounges joined those restaurants as honorees.
“To me, the Spirited Awards represent our community at its best. They give a platform and a voice to people and places that truly deserve it, including those who are sometimes overlooked,” Jaymee Mandeville, Spirited Awards U.S. East Co-Chair, said in the announcement. “Being recognized by peers who deeply understand both the challenges and the triumphs of our industry makes the honor especially meaningful.”
Kyle Ledeboer
Phoenix bars named 2026 Regional Top 10 Honorees:
Best U.S. Bar Team
Highball
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
Highball
Best U.S. Hotel Bar
Chilte at the Egyptian Motor Hotel
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Huarachis Taqueria
Pretty Penny
Valentine
Cassie Brucci
A panel of more than 250 industry experts, representing regions across the U.S. and the globe, selected the honorees.
Next, the panel will whittle these regional honorees to a nationwide Top 10. Those nominees will be announced on May 19. The 20th Annual Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards will take place on July 23 in New Orleans.
Last year, nine Phoenix bars and restaurants were named regional Top 10 Honorees, and five received Top 10 nominations. Ultimately, Phoenix netted a major honor: Little Rituals nabbed the title of Best Hotel Bar in the U.S.
