If you’re the kind of person who likes to pop the bonnet and get an understanding of how it works before you get stuck into a list, these pages are for you. We try to be as transparent as possible about how we put a list together, because if you don’t appreciate the process, you’re unlikely to believe in the final product.
So, the Bar World 100 list that appears on the ensuing pages is the result of a project that started in spring. We’re on our seventh iteration of the list, so the panel that takes part in the poll needs updating rather than creating. Each year we rotate some of our global voters out to keep the body of opinion fresh, but retain the majority so as also to maintain a through-line of consistency. Those added (22% of the total this year) are often rising talent who have come to the fore in the past 12 months.
Unlike many bar industry lists, the panel leans towards those looking in, rather than out of, bar operations, with drinks media, brand representatives, event organisers, educators and consultants making up two-thirds of the panel and bartenders, bar managers and owners the remainder.
But more important than job role is the profile of the person – we select those who are thoughtful, whose opinions are worldly, independent and trustworthy. Allied to that, we try to draw voters with a varied set of voices across nationality, geography, gender and culture.
This year 64 cities are represented in our panel of more than 100 voters, with the large hub cities contributing a few more voters than those smaller, second-tier cities. Importantly though, no bar scene has a commanding presence in the voting panel, with each city – be it New York or Nairobi, limited to one to five voters, with the majority having one or two.
Each voter was asked to name who they considered to be the top 10 most influential bar world figures. More specifically: those who have innovated and pushed the industry forward, setting new trends and standards globally, inspiring the industry around them. A second guideline asks voters to consider those who have addressed injustices in the bar industry, using their influence to effect positive change.
A maximum of three of each voter’s 10 votes could be for bar figures in their city of residence and a maximum of five from their country. That means at least half of a panel member’s votes (though potentially 10) would be for international bar figures. There are some controls too – voters aren’t allowed to vote for themselves, nor can they vote for anyone whose business they share an interest in.
It‘s probably time to read the list.
Read the Bar World 100 digital magazine here.
