top of page

 RULES FOR AWARDS ENTRY

The Best Bar Awards offers the ideal promotions program for recognizing the best places to enjoy a drink.  The Best Awards applaud your hard-work and dedication.   We recognize excellence in bar, nightclub and lounge concept development, operations, promotion, innovation and success.  This is your opportunity to have your business standout and gain more patron appeal, buzz, repeat visits and new customers.

​

Who Can be Nominated:  PLEASE CHECK STATE BY STATE JUDGING CRITERIA

  • Nightclubs

  • Bars

  • Taverns, Pubs

  • Themed Lounges

  • Restaurant Bars

  • Sports Bars

  • Other/Etc.  (You legally serve drinks- tell us)

​

The early-bird entry periods vary per state to accept Nominations:

​Other USA states induction periods to be announced by regional judges

​

Who Can Submit Nominations: 

  • Establishment owners, operators, managers and other employees

  • Independent Bars owners, operators, managers and other employees

  • Suppliers and vendors

  • Industry Trade Leaders

  • Club Consultants     (by cateogry)

  • DJs & Entertainers   (by category)

  • Publicists/Public Relations firms

  • Event Promoters

  • Select Patrons, Media Reviewers, Bar Bloggers & Podcasters - Etc.

 

How to Submit an Entry or a Nomination:

  • If you are interested in submitting an entry to a Best Bars Award category, click here.

  • If you are interested in getting entered into the 2024 Happy Hours Awards, click here.

  • If you are interested in becoming a judge or a rater  for the Voted Best Awards, click here.

​

​Entry Criteria:

Nominated bars, pubs, taverns and nightclubs may be a stand-alone operation (business) or located within a hotel/resort property in the United States. Individual bars or those considered as a chain concept with five or less locations under the same name may be nominated.

 

Bars operated by a parent company with multiple design or club concepts must be nominated individually; a company operating multiple nightclub concepts must may not be nominated as a single entity.  All nomination submissions are subject to review and only qualifying nominations will be accepted and presented to the judges for review. Scans and research involving public databases and sources, reviews of major metropolitan markets, review websites, media and industry resources provides additional data that are all taken into consideration. 

​

Nominations Must Include: A Brief (1 paragraph minimal) Typewritten Narrative and Supporting Materials:  (These are asked for later on)

​​

AFTER NOTIFICATION 3 STEPS:  
TO COMPLETE YOUR NOMINATIONS ACCEPTANCE - DO THE FOLLOWING:

​

1) Entering the awards officially is acceptance of the nomination (required decision)

Simply fill out the entry forms by clicking the links provided by text or email or simply click the ENTER button on this website.

​​

2) Provide a Written Narrative about your bar (required)

A written description of how the bar excels in the attributes of the particular category being entered. Press releases are not acceptable as Written Narratives are best submitted on your letterhead or with logo as part of your "Supporting Materials".                

 

 *** FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Required Format acceptable to the judging is best uploaded or emailed as a .doc or PDF

​​

Please touch upon the elements the judges will use when evaluating each entry as described below:

  • Uniqueness, quality of space (seating, enviro factors and creativity of the concept, theming and décor)

  • Quality of bartending and service staff, taking into account level of hospitality provided and amount of training staff receives

  • Beverage selection, menu presentation and service

  • Price-value delivered to the patron in overall experience, taking into account ambiance, service, drink prices, hospitality, cleanliness, etc.

  • Business success as measured by ROI such as annual sales, volume, sales growth, etc.

  • Customer raves, feedback, surveys, video/audio & written testimony  (we can help you collect these items)

​

3) Have Ready Supporting Materials (required)

Depending on area and judge or review committee request  can include photos, videos, samples of marketing materials, information on the nominated establishment.  Depending if other awards, points or ratings earned can demonstrate how your bar excels in the particular category you are entering you may be contacted at a later date to provide original footage for use on Nightclub & Bar websites.

​​​

Acceptable formats:

  • Photos, Logos: .jpg, .gif, .png

  • Menus, Press Releases, Media Coverage: .doc, .pdf

  • Video: mp3, mp4, wmv, mov, .avi

​​

To make sure your entry is not disqualified – supply all requested information and submit materials in the requested formats.

​​

After  Entry:

Once accepted and approved you will receive a confirmation email and phone call verifying information & entry intention.

Depending on category of entry you will receive an awards packet of printed materials (or downloadable available as a PDF)

Please read carefully and watch any instructional videos/audio supplied to help you make the most of the awards program.

Utilize any supplied checklist to advance forward in the awards (given only to those officially entered)

Promote the awards locally to your community using various marketing methods to get votes and likes.

Have your most  loyal patrons and customers help you spread the word.

Optionally consider reaching out to local media, bloggers and V.I.P  (We can help you do that)

Place banners, posters and feedback ballots around  town and in your bar.

Celebrate by having your  staff interact with your customer  community (spread that award winning cheer!)

​

NOTE: Eventbrite is the official awards enrollment payment processer of any entry fees.

​​​

bottom of page