he esteemed Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards have secured their finalist list for 2010 and they agree with Broadsheet favourites Der Raum and Black Pearl taking several nominations each.

Nominated in five different categories is Black Pearl, the home of our regular cocktail aficionado Adi Ruiz. While De Raum is in the running for four awards.

Returning as repeat winners, both have been nominated in the Bar Team of the Year category along side 1806 and Sweatshop.

New kid on the block, Galley Room, has also bee nominated for New Bar of the Year, among several other awards.

And 1806 and Sweatshop are in the running for a number awards each too, with one of our regular contributors Dave Kerr behind the bar at the later.

The competition is heavy, the stakes are high, and the final winner will be decided by a panel of industry identities judging who can shake, mix, stir and pour the best in booze across the country.

Winners will be announced at the Australia Bar Awards held in September.

www.barshow.com.au