Plans are underway for the return of the in-person Set The Bar Cocktail Competition, to be held Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 1 to 4pm at Ed Smith Stadium. And you'll be able to get the 411 here.
Designed to showcase the creative beverage talents behind the area’s locally-owned, independent restaurants, this year’s Set The Bar cocktail contention will highlight accomplished mixologists representing establishments from the northern tip of Anna Maria Island to the southern shores of Venice Beach. “The Best” libations will be decided by an expert panel as well as event attendees who will be tasked with sampling and savoring the contenders' creations before judging the competitors on Flavor, Appearance, Bartender Presentation and Imagination.
In addition to exclusive access to the most skilled beverage innovators in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, guests at Set The Bar will enjoy live entertainment, a chance drawing, and light bites presented by fellow Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Member Restaurants.
Like the Chefs in the kitchen, our local bartenders are an integral part of today’s service industry, playing a vital role in creating an exciting atmosphere and enjoyable guest experience. We can’t wait to shine the well-deserved light on them.
A limited number of Early Bird Set The Bar tickets will be available on Tuesday August 23 at 9am for $65 each. Once those are sold, regular price tickets will be offered at $75 per person.
This event is 21 and up only and proof of age will be required for all ticket holders (NO exceptions, this applies to children and infants as well.)
2021 Set The Bar Mixology Masters
(Last Year's Winners!)
The Winner of The Best Overall Cocktail Award for 2021, selected through the People's Choice Voting is Rhiannon Mahon from GROVE Restaurant
Cocktail: the Grove-Loma
Ingredients: Hiatus Tequila Blanco infused with Cucumber and Pineapple, Agave, Lime, Mint and Grapefruit Jarritos Float, garnished with a Tajin Dusted Cucumber
See additional WINNERS below!
“The Best” libations will be decided by an expert panel of judges as well as event attendees who will be tasked with sampling and savoring each creative concoction before judging the competitors on Flavor, Appearance, Bartender Presentation and Imagination. You be the judge!
2021 Winner:
Bartender: Andrea Zahn & Jennifer Bruggemann for El Melvin
Cocktail: The Drunken Bird (El Pajaro Barracho)
Ingredients: Waterloo Gin No. 9 infused with Cilantro, Dark Brown Sugar & Pineapple Syrup, Lime Juice, Hibiscus Foam and Chipotle & Cacao Bitters
Bartender: Rhiannon Mahon for GROVE Restaurant
Cocktail: Grove-Loma
Ingredients: Hiatus Tequila Blanco infused with Cucumber and Pineapple, Agave, Lime, Mint and Grapefruit Jarritos Float, garnished with a Tajin Dusted Cucumber
Bartenders: Tobias Halk and Daniel Garcia for Miguel's Restaurant
Cocktail: Porn Star
Ingredients: New Amsterdam Vodka infused with Vanilla Bean, Fresh Passion Fruit, Lime Juice, Champagne and Canton Ginger Liqueur
Bartender: Anthony Rizzo for Duval's. Fresh. Local. Seafood
Cocktail: Solar Eclipse
Ingredients: Treaty Oak “Red Handed” Bourbon washed with Butter Fat and infused with Fresno Chile and Mexican Cinnamon, González Byass "Nectar" Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Housemade Orange-Cocoa Marmalade, Raspberry and Cardamom Bitters
Bartender: Andrea Wilsie for Jack Dusty Restaurant
Cocktail: The Gold Daiquiri
Ingredients: Papa's Pilar Blonde Rum, Yellow Chartreuse, Amaro Montenegro, Lime Juice and Simple Syrup
The Set the Bar expert panel of judges is responsible for selecting the top cocktail in each spirit category.
Each competitor must create a signature cocktail with the alcohol from the category they are assigned. Beautiful full-sized cocktails are submitted to the Judging Panel for blind-tasting.
Guests must be 21 and up to attend. Those under 21 will NOT be permitted entry to the event (this includes infants and children as well.) Photo identification for proof of age will be requested of ALL GUESTS upon arrival to the event.
A limited number of Early Bird Set The Bar tickets will be available via SquadUp on Tuesday August 23 at 9am for $65 each. Once those are sold, regular price tickets will be offered at $75 per person.
Please subscribe here or check this page for updates.
This event is 21 and up only and proof of age will be required for all ticket holders (NO exceptions, this applies to children and infants as well.)
No, you may purchase as many tickets as you would like! Please note, your guests will be asked to provide photo ID (to verify their age) before being admitted to the event.
There is one ticket type available for the Set the Bar Cocktail Competition, which is the General Admission ticket. No additional ticket types will be avaialble.
Yes! All guests will be able to sample each of the cocktails submitted into the competition and will have the opportunity to vote for the "People's Choice" winner! Guests will receive a "Sip Card" to be punched at each Cocktail station to ensure that each drink is sampled only once. Each cocktail sample is 1oz in size.
Please drink responsibly.
Complimentary light bites will be provided by several Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant members during the event. For many people, it might makes sense to eat a meal before you come to the event.
We encourage all event attendees who intend to sample the cocktail offerings to use ride sharing services (such as Uber or Lyft) or travel with a designated driver! The use of ride share services will expedite the arrival experience. For those planning to drive, parking is available in Ed Smith Stadium's East Lot, at the corner of 12th Street and North Tuttle Avenue.
The suggested attire is comfortable and casual.
“The Best” libations will be decided by an expert panel of judges as well as event attendees who will be tasked with sampling and savoring each creative concoction before judging the competitors on Flavor, Appearance, Bartender Presentation and Imagination.
Each guest will vote for his or her favorite bartender and cocktail by "tipping" them during the event. The top cocktails and bartenders will be announced at the end of the event!
Set the Bar is a rain or shine event.
To have 100% confidence in the validity of your ticket purchase, you should only purchase your tickets through the Squad Up ticket system. The validity of tickets purchased through other websites or resellers cannot be verified by The Sarasota-Manatee Originals prior to event day.
Several areas offer shaded picnic-style seating for guests to utilize. The event is a cocktail style, grazing event where guests will be visiting stations to sample cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The event is handicap accessible. This event takes place outdoors so there is no air-conditioned areas.
Follow our SET THE BAR Event page on Facebook for any announcements. Updates will be posted as new information becomes available.
Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any remaining event questions.
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Sarasota-Manatee Originals
1215D S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-365-2800
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