Bar & Restaurant Expo is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2023 Industry Excellence Awards. Finalists in each category are celebrated for their dedication to the independent bar and restaurant industry. These individuals and businesses exemplify integrity, commitment to equality, sustainability, community, and culture across the industry.
Finalists in each category were selected by a judging panel of experts, who evaluated each submission based on several criteria. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo on Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m.
2023 Industry Excellence Awards Finalists include:
Bartender of the Year
- Amanda Alvarez, Messhall Kitchen, Los Angeles, California
- Kate Gerwin, Happy Accidents Bar, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Raymond James Irwin, Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar, Sacramento, California
Chef of the Year
- Troy Guard, TAG Restaurant Group, Denver, Colorado & Houston, Texas
- Daniel Ontiveros, Carversteak, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Miguel Trinidad, 99th Floor, Brooklyn, New York
Community Leadership Award
- Troy Guard, TAG Restaurant Group, Denver, Colorado & Houston, Texas
- John Anthony, Sparrow + Wolf | Spaghetti on the Wall Hospitality Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Adam Orman, L'Oca d'Oro and Good Work Austin, Austin, Texas
Bar of the Year
- Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, & Oyster Bar, Perdido Key, Florida
- Your Third Spot, Atlanta, Georgia
- Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago, Illinois
Best Hospitality Training Program
- Sparrow + Wolf | Spaghetti on the Wall Hospitality Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Marlow’s Tavern, Atlanta, Georgia
- Session Cocktails, Tuscaloosa & Auburn, Alabama
LGBTQIA+ Venue of the Year
- Que Rico Nightclub, Oakland, California
- DECANTsf, San Francisco, California
- Driftwood, San Francisco, California
Restaurant of the Year
- Ernest, San Francisco, California
- The Jones Assembly, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- The Barrel Room, San Francisco, California
Each finalist will be awarded two Expo + Party Passes to the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo, as well as recognition on the Bar & Restaurant website, social media and newsletter before and during the expo. In addition, the winners in each category will receive a beautiful custom award, one VIP ticket to the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo and additional media recognition on the website, social media, newsletters and more.