Little Rituals in Phoenix named best hotel bar in the country

Congrats to Little Rituals, which was named Best U.S. Hotel Bar at The Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, the Oscars of the bar industry, Thursday night in New Orleans.

The category recognizes a ‘‘U.S. hotel bar that offers the best service and consistently well-made drinks in a comfortable setting, ultimately upholding the tradition of the classic hotel bar,’’ according to the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website.

The bar at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Phoenix has been one of four finalists for the award for three consecutive years.

“Any time we are recognized nationally, it is huge for our team,’’ Little Rituals co-owner an bar director Aaron DeFeo Says. ‘‘They put in so much hard work and we wouldn’t have a successful bar without them.’’

Libby Lingua of Highball in Phoenix was a finalist for U.S. Bartender of the Year, but the award went to Christine Kim from Service Bar in Washington, D.C.