2011 Reader Bar & Club Awards: Best Bartender

This award honors the hard working men and women that keep the rest of us inebriated. And while they are at it, they serve up some good concoctions. This list of winners proves cocktails don’t require a dash of snobbery before they’re served. Here are Beijing's best bartenders as voted by you in our Reader Bar & Club Awards.

Best
Jack Zhou, First Floor. Proving cocktails don’t need to be served exclusively in hotels and swanky bars, Jack serves up his drinks with personality at no extra charge.

Outstanding
Paul Matthew, Flamme. Paul has recently departed as Flamme's manager, but will remain as drinks consultant and continue to offer up intriguing and creative drinks.
Stephanie Rocard, Mao Mao Chong. Holding her own in a city dominated by male bartenders - could Stephanie's success spark a trend?

Editors' Pick
Ah Jian, 2F. A true student of cocktails, Ah Jian can often be caught with his face buried in a cocktail recipe book. And when he's not teaching himself, he's passing his skills on to the bar's younger staff. An award well deserved, if only for the number of times he's put up with our staff showing up for one last drink in the early hours.

For more on the winning bartenders and the other nominees, check out the pre-results announcement post here.

Photos: Judy Zhou, Sui