International NightLife Association

The statuettes at this year's Golden Moon Awards gala will have an element of innovation compared to those handed out over the last seven years: in a nod to the Barcelona backdrop of this year's International Nightlife Gala, the statuettes have been inspired by the work of painter and sculptor Joan Miró. Award-winners will walk away with statuettes designed by the well-known sculptor José Piñero and featuring a moon on a cylinder inspired by the top of Joan Miró's sculpture Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird). The statuettes reflect the "innovative and creative character of the city of Barcelona", explained congress organisers.

The International Nightlife Association wanted this year's awards to feel "more like Barcelona", choosing as inspiration a "master of artistic expression" in Joan Miró, one of the pioneers of surrealism. Full of vibrant colours and natural forms, the Catalan artist’s work "reflects the vitality" and "creativity" of the Mediterranean city. "This year, our Golden Moon Awards – the work of sculptor José Piñero – celebrate not only Miró's contribution to art, but also the beauty and spirit of innovation of Miró's hometown, Barcelona", said Joaquim Boadas, secretary general of Fecasarm, Spain Nightlife and the International Nightlife Association. “Just as Miró captured his own universe and the power of imagination in his work, our Golden Moon Awards capture the innovative spirit and diversity of Barcelona's nightlife", continued Boadas. Renowned craftsman José Piñero has devoted much of his business to creating sculptures connected to restaurants and cocktails, and Forbes magazine has called him one of the most creative Spaniards in the business world.

The gala, which will start at 8.00pm, will feature an unveiling of the clubs on the prestigious list of “The World's 100 Best Clubs” 2023, as well as this year's winner of the Golden Moon for the World’s Best Club, which Hï Ibiza has snagged for three years running. In total, 373 venues from 65 countries have been nominated for a spot on the list.

After the awards gala, which will take place at the 5-star Sofitel Barcelona Skipper Hotel, a gala dinner will be held at Shôko Barcelona, Barcelona's forerunner on last year's “The World's 100 Best Clubs” list. Following that Shôko Barcelona will host a gala dinner party.

In Barcelona, the presentation of 10 Golden Moon Awards will dovetail with the Michelin Star Gala

Besides the Golden Moon for World's Best Nightlife Venue, nine more statuettes will be awarded in the following categories: Festival of the Year, Best Collaborative Safety Project, Best Event of 2023, Best Act of Excellence and Customer and Employee Protection, Best Innovative Project, World's Best Business Group, Most Sustainable Nightlife Venue, DJ of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of 2023.

The awards gala for these coveted international distinctions, which celebrate the most outstanding entities and personalities on the global nightlife scene, will coincide with the awarding of Michelin Stars, which will happen the very next day, also in Catalonia's capital city, thus positioning Barcelona as the epicentre of world gastronomy and nightlife in the same week.

The Awards will come with two congresses focused on safety and security

The 9th International Nightlife Congress and the 4th Spanish Nightlife Congress will be held in parallel with the awards on November 27th and 28th, and they will revolve around one of the main pillars of the industry’s agenda today: safety and fire prevention championed by the Spain Nightlife and International Nightlife business associations as the sector's clear commitment to the safety of clubbers and workers. To that end, numerous spanish and international experts in this field will meet during these days to discuss the main current challenges and future objectives to avoid tragedies like the one in Murcia (Spain).

Attendees will also discuss the roll-out of measures to prevent sexual violence, the sector's commitment to innovation and sustainability, and women in nightlife will be other topics at the centre of these well-established meetings.