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Finding America's Best Bars, Pubs & Taverns Town to Town!
Hello! Welcome Judges!
This is an exciting opportunity to support our local establishments and assuming you are one of our selected judges please adhere to the following rules and refer to your guidebook for scoring entries.
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Congratulations on being selected and having watched the training.
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We appreciate your participation and thank you for helping us out!
Be Incognito!
Unless you are a nominator or finalist judge, you are not to tell the establishment that you are visiting as a judge for the Best Bar Awards or any of the related programs the location may have entered. You will have specific instructions and an online checklist of scoring material. You are welcome to invite your friends but they must also agree to be incognito and maintain your secret while in the location. Spend money and try a variety of drinks and selections as you would ordinarily do. By bringing your friends with you - it will add more fun and bring additional opinions to how you'll rate the bars. ONLY IF YOU ARE A FINALIST JUDGE or on the nomination committee you're expected to tell the manager or bar owner that you are coming to visit as you will likely need to take pictures and will need their permission. Call in advance and ask anything you need to know before you arrive (as they may be very busy or out when you come in). Please advise them as a finalist judge or nominator you can sample items and bar menu selections and its expected as a courtesy that these are provided on the house. All agreed tastings or course of items are complimentary to you!
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You may need to cover taxes or particulars but be sure to ask if there is any out of pocket expectations. You can let them know that your time and expenses are out of pocket and judging is a volunteer position and that we encourage local area influencers to judge and we all help spread the word of their entry. Entering the awards is designed to help them increase business. In any case, tip your servers and waitresses always!
Evaluating & Judging Overall
How to Categorize Your City's Criteria in Rating a Bar
Categorizing the list of bars entered & verifying correctly is essential for the awards evaluation process and finals judging. This includes how the bar is doing it's marketing, target audience identification, and overall perception.
Here are the key factors to consider when visiting your assigned bar designees:
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Theme and Atmosphere. Evaluate your bar's overall ambiance and theme. How did they filled out the entry form and describe their business - this plays a pivotal role in proper categorization. How do they consider themselves to be like?
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Is it cozy and lounge like or rustic or appears as a dive bar, or does it transport patrons to a tropical paradise like a tiki bar?
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Menu and Beverage Selection. The types of drinks and food you find offered can also determine your bar’s category. A bar with an extensive cocktail menu is likely a cocktail bar, while one emphasizing beer might be seen as a brewpub.
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Entertainment Options. Consider the entertainment options available at the bar. You're likely at a sports bar if you have multiple screens and cater to sports enthusiasts. Alternatively, they can fit into the karaoke bar category if they offer karaoke.
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Target Audience. Think about the clientele they want to attract. Are they aiming for wine enthusiasts, sports fans, or those seeking a laid-back atmosphere? Identifying the type of target audience helps define who likely visits & your bar's category.
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Location. Your bar's location can also influence its categorization. For example, a beachfront bar is more likely to be a tiki bar, while one in the heart of a city might lean toward being a cocktail bar. Also observe its walkability, parking & transport.
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Signature Offerings. Consider if your bar has any unique selling points. Perhaps they offer a wide selection of craft beers brewed on-site, making them a brewpub, or do they focus on rare and fine wines, categorizing them as a wine bar.
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By carefully evaluating these factors, you can effectively categorize each bar and tailor your review & score ratings accordingly.
CONCLUSION INCLUSION: Choosing the right criteria to evaluate and judge particular types of bars is a crucial decision in the journey of deciding which are America's Best Bars! By understanding the different types of bars, you can make an informed choice and evaluate on tastes that aligns with your critical eye, market needs, setting the stage for a righteous awards decision.
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Now that you're well-versed in the world of bars, it's time to take action and get yourself out to the clubs, pubs & local taverns. Remember, the key is to examine how each bar is catering to their target audience and define how they are offering a unique experience that sets them apart and makes them special in whatever categories they;'ve entered - so lets acknowledge them!
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If you have any challenges in categorizing or completing judging criteria talk to your coordinator ASAP or email your XR.
Contact Us ASAP If You Are Interested in JUDGING BARS!
We are always looking for new people to help us out and are not shy about exploring America's Best Bars. It's full of exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
Info@AwardsJudge.com For Industry Events Click Here
Tell them FRANK sent you (that's code for judge interest)!