Cheers magazine, the premier on-premise beverage resource, announces the winners of the 2008 Cheers Benchmark Awards. Now in its second year, the Cheers Benchmark Awards (Beverage Excellence for Non-Chain Hospitality Establishments) are presented in three categories: Best Wine Bar, Best Beer Bar and Best Cocktail Lounge. The winners are:
Best Wine Bar
Madison & Vine
Hospitality Holdings
New York, N.Y.
Best Beer Bar
Great Lost Bear
Portland, Maine
Best Cocktail Lounge
Pegu Club
New York, N.Y.
“With all the media attention lavished on bartenders and bar proprietors today, it’s no surprise that some attracting the spotlight are a little stronger on sizzle than they are on substance,” said Cheers Editor Donna Hood Crecca. “In reviewing the more than 50 entries to the 2008 Cheers Benchmark Awards, there were a handful of such sizzlers, but most also came with plenty of substance.
“Our three winners this year are long on substance, but they also have their own unique sizzle, a combination that keeps patrons comfortable yet intrigued and ensures servers and bartenders are engaged and enthused. Congratulations to the 2008 Cheers Benchmark Award winners!”
To qualify, entrants must be independent operators, defined as a concept operating in no more than five locations and independently owned or part of a hotel or multi-concept restaurant company.
In reviewing the entries, the Cheers editors and a select group of wine, spirits, and beer experts considered the overall concept, bar design, ambiance, level of service, beverage selection, beverage menu, specialty/signature beverages, merchandising, dedication to guest education and beverage enjoyment and staff/server training of each entrant.
For more information about Cheers magazine, and the Cheers Benchmark Awards, contact Cheers Editor Donna Hood Crecca, at (631) 265-3839 or email dhc@m2media360.com or visit www.bevinfogroup.com.
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