Each Wednesday in May, sip fabulous cocktails, mingle with the city’s top mixologists and get a front-row seat as they face off in an Iron Chef-style challenge behind the bar at The Mixing Room at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.
Each week features two rounds where a different group of competitors will create spirit-specific cocktails and present them to be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges including cocktail experts and media personalities.
The final week the winners come back and compete with their winning cocktails from the previous weeks in the first round. In the final round they’ll have to create a drink on the spot with a mystery spirit. The grand prize, a trip to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.
There is no cost to attend and while you’re there, you can nosh on The Mixing Room’s bar snacks, and sip handcrafted cocktails created by William Grant & Sons’ brand ambassadors in addition to the winning cocktails from the previous week will be available for purchase.
May 7 – Meet the Mixologists
Hit the Mixing Room and mingle with all the competitors a week before the competition officially kicks-off, at this casual evening that is open to the public.
May 14 – Competition Week 1
Round 1: Reyka Vodka
Joshua Lucas – Honeycut
Tracy Mazyck – JW Marriott
Zachariah Parks – Joe’s Restaurant
Christine Wiseman – La Descarga
Round 2: Sailor Jerry Rum
Dominick DiNapoli – The Virgil
Kristina Howald – Bestia
Brian Stewart – Petit Ermitage
Feisser Stone – Churchill
May 22 – Competition Week 2
Round 1: Hendrick’s Gin
Ken Baranda – Hakkasan
Derrick Bass – Willie Jane
Nathan Oliver – Butchers and Barbers
Eva Pelczer – Honeycut
Round 2: Milagro Tequila
Chris Amirault – Harlowe
Cari Hah – City Tavern (DTLA)
Max Kestenbaum – Cocktail Academy LA / Apt. A
Brian Summers - Black Market
May 28 – Finals
Round 1: Winning cocktails from the top competitors from each of the previous weeks
Round 2: Mystery Spirit
JW Marriott Los Angles L.A. LIVE., 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.8600. lalivemarriott.com