Time Out Bar Awards 2022 nominees: Rising Star

Bartender, Argo 

Jack was a junior bartender in Argo's opening team and worked his way up to bartender a few months ago. He is the winner of Flor de Caña Rum’s Most Sustainable Bartender for 2022 in Hong Kong, where he had the opportunity to represent the city in the Regional Final in Thailand last October. These days, you will see him working behind the stick at Argo, where his energetic and convivial attitude shines behind the bar. 

Manager and head mixologist, 25:00

Formerly of W Hong Kong's Woobar and East Hong Kong's Sugar, Kenzo Lee is a talented bartender who showcases culinary techniques and spotlights Hong Kong culture in his creations. He is currently the manager and head mixologist of the speakeasy-style bar Twenty Fifth Hour, where he crafts well-thought cocktails inspired by the concept of time.  

Head mixologist, Penicillin

Morris Chang is the head mixologist at the city’s first eco-friendly cocktail bar, Penicillin. He is 25 years of age and hails from Taiwan, where he studied English Literature. But his true passion is mixology, so his journey landed him a bartending career in cocktail bars in Taipei, including bars Sneak Peek, Find Alley, and Ounce, before eventually settling in Hong Kong in 2021 at Penicillin, where he is now leading the bar's cocktail development.  

Mixologist, Sugar

One of the newcomers in the bartending scene, Lydia's career in the F&B industry only started two years ago while working at a cafe and a bar, before eventually pursuing mixology as a career at East Hotel's Sugar bar. This year, she took a chance by joining the prestigious Diageo World Class Competition and wowed the judges with her well-crafted and well-presented creation. Her stint in the competition earned her the first-runner-up award against the city's most talented young bartenders.  

Bar manager, Kuromaru

Quentin Luk is a young bartender heading the shochu and music lounge Kuromaru. His passion and dedication to the art of mixology are seen in the bar's seasonal offerings, where he showcases mastery and technique in his well-crafted cocktails. Quentin has been joining bar competitions, and this year, he took the second spot at the Flor de Caña's Sustainability Cocktail Challenge 2022. See him in action behind the stick at Kuromaru and challenge him to craft something off the menu!