Libecans was named a Top 10 International Bartender of the Year; Caretaker’s Cottage for both Best International Bar Team and Best International Cocktail; and the team’s recently-opened Three Horses for Best New International Cocktail Bar.
The only other Australian Top 10 nomination is Sydney’s ANTE for Best International Restaurant Bar.
Caretaker’s Cottage’s momentum:
The recognition marks a continuation of strong momentum for Caretaker’s Cottage after it placed 19th in the World’s Best 50 Bars list in 2025. Since then, it placed 47th on a list of the world’s Top 500 Bars.
Rob Libecans, of-course, was also voted by his peers one of Australia’s top 25 bartenders in the T25 Bartenders Awards 2025.
When asked what the concept of hospitality means to him, Libecans told Drinks World: “We have a saying, ‘say no as few times on shift as possible.’ If we can do it for a guest, we’ll make it happen. We’re constantly evaluating how we host guests and how we operate our services.”
He also notes the diversity of his bar team as a key factor behind Caretaker Cottage’s success:
“We all look different, we all have different backgrounds and experiences. Hire people that don’t look and operate like you. Neurodiversity is a critical element in our team that allows us to think and move forward at the pace we like at our little pub.”
What’s next?
Moving forwards, the Top 4 Finalists for each category will be named in early June ahead of the final winners announcement on July 23 during the Tales of the Cocktail conference in Los Angeles.
Now in their 20th year, the Spirited Awards are recognised as one of the world’s highest-regarded honours available to the global hospitality industry.
Spirited Awards U.S. Chair Tiffanie Barriere said: “This year’s nominees embody the passion, creativity, and cultural influence that continue to shape how the world gathers, celebrates, and connects.”
The international nominations were selected by a panel of over 250 industry experts, with Australian entries determined by International Chair Ryan Chetiyawardana and Asia Pacific Co-Chairs Philip Bischoff, Alice Newport, Shelley Tai, and Stephanie Wijono.
To learn more about the Spirited Awards Committee and awards criteria, visit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards page.