Melbourne's Black Pearl named world's best high-volume cocktail bar at Spirited Awards 2015
Brunswick Street cocktail bar Black Pearl has been recognised at this year's Spirited Awards, held in New Orleans over the weekend, during the Tales of the Cocktail festival.
The Melbourne bar took out the international high-volume cocktail bar title ahead of three finalists, including fellow Melburnian bar, Eau de Vie.
The "high-volume" aspect of the award refers to an establishment with a capacity of more than 100 patrons. The winner must deliver top-notch cocktails consistently and efficiently.
Black Pearl owner Tash Conte told goodfood.com.au: "I am so honoured that people appreciate the efforts we go to to create both a space and cocktails that can take people away for a little while.
"And I am so proud of our team, for making judges worldwide take notice of a little bar in Fitzroy."
The Black Pearl crew was also a finalist for the best international bar team award.
While there have been Australian nominations aplenty, it has been a while since a local bar took home a title at the annual awards, which are judged by a global panel of cocktail industry experts. Eau De Vie Sydney was named world's best new cocktail bar in 2013, and Melbourne's 1806 won the world's best cocktail list award in 2008.
Black Pearl opened in 2002 and is currently closed for renovations. It will reopen next month (upstairs bar, the Attic, will open from July 25), at 304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.