PRESENTED BY
The modern cocktail scene is more vibrant than ever, and with bartenders across the country pushing the boundaries of mixology with their skill and creativity, it's time to shine a light on that emerging talent.
VinePair’s Best New Bartender Competition will showcase individuals who might be new to the industry, but are absolutely crushing it behind the bar, and crown one winner.
Do you have what it
takes to compete?
$5,000
GRAND PRIZE
Submit your entry for VinePair’s inaugural
Best New Bartender Competition
Submissions open from March 3, 2025 - April 18, 2025, for a chance to win $5,000, a feature on VinePair.com, and host one of VinePair’s popular After Hours parties in New York City.
Competition RULES
Create an original cocktail that showcases your style, skill, and technique as a bartender (there are no guardrails on alcohol type, ABV, or ingredients list)
Include an image of your finished cocktail and an explanation of the inspiration or your thought process behind the cocktail
Entrants must currently be a working bartender
Bonus points if your cocktail is currently on a bar menu!
JUDGING CRITERIA
Bartending Credentials
Original Cocktail - Name, Creativity, Inspiration, Technique, and Appearance
Skill, Demeanor, and Vibe Behind the Bar
Interview Questions
Optional: Reference (Bonus)
Submissions will be reviewed by a VinePair judging panel, and semi-finalists will be selected in May 2025. The semi-finalists will be asked to create and submit a video of their cocktail presentation to continue to the next round.
Finalists will compete LIVE in the competition finale on June 23, 2025 in New York City. At the finale, in addition to their original cocktail submission, finalists will be challenged to create a wild card cocktail recipe, using ingredients selected by VinePair. The wild card cocktail will award finalists bonus points.
JUNE
23
ENTER NOW
FULL LEGAL RULES & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Illustration by Driss Choui
Photography via Unsplash
ROUND 1
Online Submissions
March 3 - April 18
ROUND 2
Semi Finals
May 2 -
May 16
ROUND 3
Finals
June 23
Video Submissions
LIVE EVENT IN NYC
MARCH 3
- APRIL 18
JUNE
23
ROUND 1
Online Submissions
March 3 - April 18
ROUND 1
Online Submissions
March 3 - April 18
Video Submissions
