More Details Coming Soon

About Set the Bar 2022

Plans are underway for the return of the in-person Set The Bar Cocktail Competition, to be held this Fall 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 6th annual 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.

2021 Set The Bar Mixology Masters (the 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!

Set the Bar Cocktail Competition Tickets

Ticket Information Coming Soon!

Set the Bar was created as a playful platform to showcase the enormous talent of our local bar programs. 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.

Tickets Information is forthcoming.

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.)

Our 2021 Competition

“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!

Gin Category

Powered by Waterloo Gin

2021 Winner:

Bartender: Andrea Zahn & Jennifer Bruggemann for El Melivin

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

Tequila Category

Powered by Hiatus Tequila

2021 Winner

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

Vodka Category

Powered by New Amsterdam Vodka

2021 Winner

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

Whiskey Category

Powered by Treaty Oak Bourbon Whiskey

2021 Winner

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

Rum Category

Powered by Papa's Pilar Rum

2021 Winner

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

Our 2021 Judging Panel

The Set the Bar expert panel of judges is responsible for selecting the top cocktail in each spirit category. Additional judges will be announced soon!

Spencer Taliaferro

Owner

Mixology Kits

Nikki Logan Curran

Owner & Editor

The Scout Guide Sarasota

Joey Panek

Creative Content Director

One Eight Oh PR

Michelle Russell

Director of Marketing | Creative Director | Events

Loaded Cannon Distillery

Joshua Hojnacki

General Manager, The Gator Club

Co-Founder, Sarasota Whiskey Society

Brandon Weppner

National Brand Manager

Hiatus Tequila

Local Bites

Guests at the 2021 Set The Bar Cocktail Competition enjoyed delicious dishes presented by these fellow Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Member Restaurants.

About Embracing Our Differences

Embracing Our Differences is a non-profit organization based in Sarasota, Florida, that uses the power of art and education to expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family. It accomplishes this through an annual, large-scale, juried art exhibition and a comprehensive series of educational initiatives, programs and resources designed for teachers and students.

Mission: Through the transformative power of the arts, we educate and inspire to create a better world.

Vision: A world that embraces diversity, respects differences and actively rejects hatred and prejudice.

Learn More about Embracing Our Differences

Thanks to our 2021 Set the Bar Sponsors

Liquor Sponsors

Beverage Partners

Special Thanks To

Interested in becoming a Set the Bar sponsor? Contact Kim at (941) 365-2800 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about the available opportunities.

Follow The Event

Get social with the Sarasota-Manatee Originals and use the hashtags below to share your photos and experiences during Set the Bar!

#SetTheBar941 #SetTheBarCocktailWeek941 #EatLikeaLocal941

Check out the 2019 Set the Bar Photo Gallery

Check out the 2018 Set the Bar Photo Gallery

Cocktail Competition FAQs

Is there an age restriction for those attending the Set the Bar Cocktail Competition event?

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.

How can I buy tickets?

Details are currenty being finalized for the 2022 Set the Bar Cocktail Competition and ticket information will be avaiable soon.

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.)

Is there a limit on the number of tickets I can purchase?

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.

Is there a discounted ticket for those not partaking in the cocktail samplings?

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.

Do I need to bring my tickets to the Set the Bar Cocktail Competition?

Please bring your tickets in either printed or mobile format. If you have misplaced your event tickets, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request new copies. Set the Bar guests must be 21 and up. Those under 21 will not be permitted entry to the event (this includes infants and children as well.) Photo identification will be requested of EVERY guest upon arrival to the event.

Will I be able to sample each of the cocktails in the competition?

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 Passport Book to ensure that each cocktail is sampled only once. Each cocktail sample is 1oz in size.

Please drink responsibly.

Will food be served at the event?

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.

What is the parking situation at Ed Smith Stadium?

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.

What should I wear?

The suggested attire is comfortable and casual.

What else can I expect during the Set the Bar Cocktail Competition?

DJ Entertainment
Interactive Games
Photobooth
Raffle & Prizes
Light Bites

How does the voting work?

“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 be given a faux dollar bill which you will use to vote for your favorite bartender and cocktail by "tipping" them. The top cocktails and bartenders will be announced at the end of the event!

What is the Inclement Weather Policy?

Set the Bar is a rain or shine event.

Can I purchase tickets through a third-party seller?

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.

Will there be seating at the event?

A limited number of lounge seats will be available 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.

How do I stay up to date on Set the Bar announcements?

Follow our facebook page to receive all updates and announcements!

I have a question that wasn't answered here. Now what?

Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any remaining event questions.

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals are proudly supported by Sysco

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