Bartenders Compete for Annual Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge
By: Rick Andreoli
2.17.2012
Three years ago the city of Palm Springs and the Desert Gay Tourism Guild launched one of the most fun campaigns ever: the Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge. What's it about?
Palm Springs and Stoli ambassadors host cocktail challenges at LGBT clubs in Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, New York City, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. Bartenders from each city compete, creating their own signature Palm Springs-infused cocktail. They're evaluated on the drink's taste, presentation and name, while the bartenders themselves are judged on creativity and attire, and how good they are at getting the audience involved. Bonus points are awarded if “Palm” or “Springs” is in the name or recipe of the signature drink.
The winning bartender from each city will win a trip to Palm Springs to compete in the grand finale on May 31, 2012 in Palm Springs, which is the official kick-off of the Summer Splash program presented by Desert Gay Tourism Guild.
You're welcome to attend any of the club events, and that sometimes means getting a chance to try out their concoctions. Attendees can also receive Palm Springs swag including free hotel stays or a trip to the Cocktail Challenge finale in Palm Springs.
Check out the dates below for events in your city. (The picture below is Joel Koepsell from Lush Food Bar in Minneapolis, who was one of last year's winner.)
Feb. 29 – New York
Industry Bar
646-476-2747 / www.industry-bar.com
March 7 - Chicago
Sidetrack
773-477-9189 / www.sidetrackchicago.com
March 8– Seattle
The Lobby Bar
206-328-6703 / www.thelobbyseattle.com
March 11 - Vancouver
1181
604-787-7130 / www.1181.ca
March 18 – Portland
CC Slaughters
503-248-9135/ www.ccslaughterspdx.com/
March 30 – Houston
F Bar
713-522-3227 /www.fbarhouston.com/
April 6 – Sacramento
Badlands
916-448-8790 http://thedepot.net/sb/
April 9– Dallas
Round Up Saloon
214-522-9611 / www.roundupsaloon.com
April 16 – Ft. Lauderdale
Georgie’s Alibi
954-565-2526 / www.georgiesalibi.com
April 26 – Las Vegas
Charlie’s Las Vegas
702- 876-1844 / www.charlieslasvegas.com
April 28 - San Jose
Brix
408-947-1975 / www.brixnightclub.com
May 10 - San Francisco
Look Out
415-431-0306 / www.lookoutsf.com
May 12 - San Diego
Urban Mo’s
619-491-0400 / www.urbanmos.com
For the Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge event schedule and participating clubs, visit www.PalmSpringsCocktailChallenge.com and follow “Martini Mike’s” blog to find out the inside scoop on the contestants, locations, sponsors as well as photos from the promotional nights.
