March 16, 2026 — Kumiko in Chicago, Illinois, has been announced as the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, part of the fifth annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards, sponsored by Perrier. Established to celebrate the essential role hospitality plays in the bar experience, the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is determined by the 300-plus members of the North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy. Voters are asked to identify the bar where they enjoyed the most outstanding hospitality during the 18-month voting period. This prestigious award marks the first in a lineup of special awards revealed in advance of the highly anticipated North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony.
Infused with chef, creative director and beverage visionary Julia Momosé’s signature elegance and exacting attention to detail, Kumiko is a sophisticated cocktail bar where Japanese and American influences converge with precision and grace. Named after the intricate Japanese woodworking technique, Kumiko’s space mirrors that artistry through its minimalist design of light wood, soft neutral tones and exposed brick. The bar’s drinks and cuisine are treated with equal reverence, featuring seasonal menus, a thoughtful collection of shochu and Japanese whisky and cocktails that blend Japanese and American ingredients, with nihonshu (sake) as a cornerstone of the program.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “It has been remarkable to witness Kumiko’s continued impact on the Midwest cocktail landscape. As a Japanese dining bar, Kumiko treats food and drink with the same level of care, each crafted with deep intentionality. From impeccably composed, seasonally driven cocktails that weave together Japanese and American influences on a cuisine that captures the soulful breadth of Japanese cooking, every detail reflects Momosé’s thoughtful vision. It is this harmony between technical excellence and heartfelt hospitality that makes Kumiko both transportive and warmly grounded in Chicago, continuing to set it apart year after year.”
Under Julia Momosé’s direction, the bar’s thoughtfully crafted ‘Spiritfree’ offerings further demonstrate the same rigor and creativity found throughout the beverage program. For all its technical precision and artistry, Kumiko remains rooted in warmth and gratitude that creates a welcoming environment where every guest is met with genuine care and hospitality.
Julia Momosé, Chef, Partner and Creative Director of Kumiko, says: “It is a privilege to care for people, and an honor to be recognized with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2026 for the way we practice that care each day. I am grateful to the team at Kumiko for the kindness they show one another and the care they extend to our guests. I am equally grateful to the community that continues to support us. It is a gift to have your trust. When we acknowledge the fragile parts of our own humanity, we are better able to help others feel seen, heard and know that they matter. Hospitality is built through small, consistent acts of attention and respect. At Kumiko, we will continue to center our work around that belief and to build space where people feel respected and safe. Arigato gozaimasu.”|
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President of Michter’s, says: “Congratulations to Julia Momosé and the entire team at Kumiko. For years, they have set an extraordinary standard of excellence in hospitality, with phenomenal drinks, delicious food and genuine care for their guests. The Kumiko team’s sincere passion for their craft and the elegance and refinement with which they create outstanding guest experiences make them a deserving recipient of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award. We are thrilled for them.”
The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony will take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Wednesday, April 22, ending with the announcement of The Best Bar in North America 2026, sponsored by Perrier, and other special award winners. North America’s 50 Best Bars recognized the growth of the North American cocktail scene by unveiling the extended 51-100 list for the first time in 2025 and will do so again in 2026.
The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars will also be broadcast live on YouTube to a global audience who are not able to attend in person.
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