The Cocktail Bar at the Merchant has scooped a coveted gong setting it apart from the competition as top NI restaurants and chefs recognised at the 2024 Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards.
The iconic bar, in the five-star city centre hotel, clinched ‘Best Cocktail Experience’ in Ireland title at a glittering ceremony in Dublin on Sunday.
It was a hotly contested category featuring top bars from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kildare, Wexford and Killarney, as well as sister bar Rattlebag in Belfast.
But in the end, judges were swayed by the innovation, excellence of service and commitment to sustainability at the bar which serves a considered selection of timeless classic cocktails originals – alongside an impeccable selection of exceptional drinks from rare spirits to vintage champagnes.
Aaron Dugan & Emily Doherty, Merchant Cocktail Bar
General manager, Aaron Dugan, is delighted by the acknowledgement.
“To be recognised alongside the calibre of finalists in this category alone was hugely gratifying, to be named the winner, was just incredible,” he said.
“Providing a first-class experience for our guests is our focus, day in, day out and this award is a testament to the hard work and commitment shown by our team each and every day.”
The award will be added to the burgeoning trophy cabinet at The Merchant Hotel which has accumulated over 150 accolades over the past 18 years including the coveted AA Five Red Star Rating, Five Star Hotel Bar of the Year at the Bar of The Year Awards.
It was also previously crowned the World’s Best Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards and was recently given a two pin ‘Outstanding’ award in The Pinnacle Guide, described as the ‘Michelin guide for bars’.
The awards ceremony, which took place in The Shelbourne, honoured the who’s who in the Irish restaurant scene.
Ox won ‘Best Restaurant Ulster’ with its head chef, Stevie Toman, winning ‘Best Chef Ulster’.
This year’s hall of fame award went to Niall and Joanne McKenna, the couple behind Belfast restaurants including Waterman and James Street South.
In association with Rémy Martin, the awards celebrated the talent, resilience and determination of the Irish food and drinks sector.
More than 300 guests attended the ceremony hosted by Gillian Nelis, the managing editor of the Business Post and editor of Food & Wine Ireland.
Two Michelin-starred Dublin restaurant, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, picked up Restaurant of the Year and its chef-patron was crowned Chef of the Year.
Daróg in Galway took home the wine experience of the year award, while Big Fan in Dublin was named casual dining restaurant of the year.