Keith Motsi, Head Bartender at Charles H, the speakeasy in Four Seasons Seoul, has been named the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2022.
Keith Motsi – Photo Supplied
Following the announcement of the winner of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2022, Asia’s 50 Best Bars has named Keith Motsi as the winner of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2022. This award recognises a personality who has made a significant impact on Asia’s bar sector over the voting period and recognises their commitment to the bar community over the past 18 months. The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award is the only peer-judged award in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars programme, collectively voted for by the bartenders of those establishments on the 2022 list.
With the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, 50 Best reinforces its drive towards championing great bars and recognising the talent that goes the extra mile to bring the community closer together. This award is the second of two special awards to be announced ahead of Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ live ceremony. The second-ever 51-100 list will be announced on 21 April, which will be followed by the gala ceremony and live countdown on 28 April.
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe and raised in the UK, Motsi has travelled the world as a bartender gaining a wealth of international experience which serves as inspiration for his concoctions. With Motsi at the helm, the team at Charles H are given the responsibility to put fresh thought into self-designed cocktails, allowing them a sense of involvement and empowerment towards the menu, while letting guests enjoy the experience.
After dabbling with university study in architecture, Motsi began his career as a barback at Jake’s Bar & Grill in Leeds, UK, a high-volume cocktail bar with a fast-paced environment. Motsi then moved to London in 2014 and served as the Head Bartender at members’ club Soho House. Prior to Charles H, he was Head Bartender at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, where he helped with the opening of EQUIS, a glamorous social lounge at the hotel comprising five different bars. During his time in Asia, Motsi has achieved many accolades, witnessed the transformation of the South Korean cocktail scene, and has led the Charles H team to the title of The Best Bar in Korea for the past three Asia’s Best 50 Bars.
The seventh edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars will be announced on 28 April. The live ceremony and countdown of the list will begin at 7.30pm local time in Bangkok (6pm India; 8.30pm Singapore/HK; 9.30pm Japan), culminating with the announcement of The Best Bar in Asia. Bar and cocktail enthusiasts the world over are invited to join those attending live in a digital countdown of the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022, through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
