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Belfast's Merchant named the ‘World’s Best Hotel Bar’

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Stevie Lee

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Belfast's Merchant Hotel have proved their cocktails have the winning mix after being named the ‘World’s Best Hotel Bar’ by an international competition.

The five-star establishment, set in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, was awarded the accolade at the Spirit Awards as part of the ‘Tales of the Cocktail Festival’ in New Orleans.

The luxury hotel also walked away with the title of ‘World’s Best Cocktail Menu’ and ‘World’s Best Drinks Selection’.

Tales of the Cocktail is an internationally-acclaimed festival which brings together the best and brightest cocktail experts in the industry.

The Spirit Awards are held as part of the festival and provide recognition to those individuals and establishments that have shown an outstanding talent for advancing the craft of the cocktail. They are judged by top industry figures from all over the globe.

The Dorchester, Paris Ritz and George V were also among the top industry stalwarts vying for the world titles.

Speaking about the global win, Sean Muldoon, bar manager and mixologist at The Merchant Hotel said: “We are thrilled that The Merchant has become a world beater. This really puts Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world’s hospitality map.

“To be the only hotel in Ireland, and indeed Europe, to achieve such acclaim is a credit to the talent that exists here, within the hospitality trade.

“To come out on top with a list of awards will bring very obvious benefits for the tourist industry and is a massive coup for Northern Ireland.”

Victoria O’Hara

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There is a huge bar/club called The Mint in Cookstown - it's fabulous too! Would give bars in Belfast a run for their money. The world doesn't end once you hit the Motorway you know.

Posted by Judith | 30.07.09, 14:50 GMT

Brilliant to see, Sean is a class act.

Posted by Stuart McCarroll | 28.07.09, 20:09 GMT

What a load of rubbish these awards are !
I had the misfortune of joining a party of friends for a special luncheon booking at The Merchant Hotel during Cheltenham Festival week and this " Best Hotel Bar in the World " could not serve one of our number a VAT 19 rum and another , . a pint of draft Guinness !
This is in an hotel boasting 5*
In truth , any hotel not serving draft Guinness wouldn't last five minutes in Dublin city centre

Posted by Jack | 28.07.09, 16:24 GMT

Thanks shaz, I found the bar staff (if there are any) more interested in chatting amongst themselves rather than serve anyone. The bouncers have obviously been told to make sure that a queue forms to give the impression that this is the place to be!!

Posted by JK | 28.07.09, 15:42 GMT

Mixologist....haha who made that up?

Posted by Paul aka Subby | 28.07.09, 15:14 GMT

Any chance of photos showing the Merchant instead of Mint (sic)?

Posted by Dave Higgins | 28.07.09, 14:37 GMT

Oh dear BT - where do I start? Those photos show Mynt nightlcub not the Merchant. Added to that you've called it 'Mint'. Wrong spelling. Also, where is CookEstown? Never heard of it. Could go on...sort it out.

Posted by Minty | 28.07.09, 14:35 GMT

I agree whole heartedly with JK's comments re Ollies Bar and I would like to add a few comments of my own. Firstly the bouncers would need trained on customer services. There is not enough bar staff and they dont advise you on whether your drink is the real stuff or just a cheap version. Lastly, I think that they give an impression that Ollies's Bar is full and whenever you pay your £10 and you gain entrance it is "NOT ACUTALLY FULL AT ALL". Surely someone should be held accountable for this.
Maybe someone at Ollie's could address my concerns.

Posted by shaz | 28.07.09, 14:05 GMT

Sean has delivered this prestigious award to the Merchant almost single handedly. A bit of long overdue recognition from the hotel's owners would not go amiss.

Posted by Gerry | 28.07.09, 13:11 GMT

I met Sean years ago and if anyone deserved this win it is him. No one in Belfast was even talking about cocktails when he started out. You will go along way to meet someone who has the same passion he has for his work. Hes an artist.

Posted by MAX | 28.07.09, 12:52 GMT

Well done to the staff and management at the Merchant - any chance of passing some of the well trained customer orientated stafff to Ollie's downstairs.

Posted by JK | 28.07.09, 12:52 GMT

A visit to the Merchant Hotel is on my "bucket list" my sisters Mary and Ruth are big fans of the Afternoon Teas that they serve there.(I have the fotos to prove it.) Now we'll be able to wash it all down with a cocktail or 2. Cheers!

Posted by Annabella | 28.07.09, 12:34 GMT

Well done, boys and girls. All that's left now is the football World Cup, can we do it? Yes we can!

Posted by Will Hawkes | 28.07.09, 12:29 GMT

Not a patch on Mooney's in Cornmarket in it's hey day, come to think on it, The Globe Bar would have give it a run for it's money too,

Posted by Ulsterman | 28.07.09, 12:11 GMT

Excellent news,

but in true Belfast Telegraph style I'm sure that some on here will try and belittle this achievement.

Excellent for the Merchant Hotel and for Belfast.
Well done

Posted by Well done you | 28.07.09, 11:20 GMT