Highball’s Lingua among finalists for U.S. Bartender of the Year

🍹 The Spirited Awards – the cocktail industry’s most coveted honors, presented annually at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans – have announced their Top 4 Finalists, and the Valley has three entries still in the running.

Highball bartender and co-owner Libby Lingua (pictured) has advanced as a Top 4 Finalist for U.S. Bartender of the Year, continuing her remarkable streak of national-level recognition.

Meanwhile, Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nassm, co-founders of the Phoenix-based nonprofit Another Round Another Rally, are finalists for Best U.S. Bar Mentor.

Highball itself was a nominee for Best U.S. Bar Team and also got a U.S. West regional honoree nod for Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – though it didn’t advance to the Top 4 Finalists in either category.

Also celebrating regional recognition but not advancing to the finalist stage: Chilte at the Egyptian Motor Hotel (Best U.S. Hotel Bar) and Huarachis Taqueria, Pretty Penny, and Valentine (Best U.S. Restaurant Bar).

Winners will be announced July 24.