08/27/2026
WHAT A NIGHT.
Huge thank you to everyone who came out for our End of Summer Luau Cocktail Competition last night. Easily one of the most fun events we’ve ever had at .
The drinks were killer, the competition was serious, but the best part was the room itself. Bartenders, bar owners, reps, regulars and friends from all over showed up, packed the place and cheered each other on. People from different bars were rooting for people from other bars. Everyone wanted to see everyone do well. There was a ton of talent behind the bar and just as much support on the other side of it.
That’s what this industry should be about.
And now, our winners 🏆
FIRST PLACE + CLUB 616 COCKTAIL CHAMPION:
theesarita
SECOND PLACE:
Zaq Plante
Huge congratulations to both of you. You absolutely earned it.
A massive shoutout to Cocktail Connoisseur for helping us put this whole thing together and bringing in an insane lineup of prizes, swag and support from Libélula Tequila, Banhez Mezcal and Combier.
And to our judges, Kelly Merrell, Wil Dee, and our very own Mike Berault - thank you for taking on the extremely difficult job of drinking cocktails and having opinions about them. 😌
Big love to our 616 crew, too. From creating and serving the special luau menu to keeping the bar moving while a full on cocktail competition was happening in the middle of it, you guys killed it.
And special shoutout to The Whiskey Scout™ for getting us set up with the cameras and TV screens so the whole room could actually follow the action instead of 80 people trying to look over somebody’s shoulder. 🙏
To every bartender who competed, every person who came to support them, and everybody who helped make this thing happen: thank you.
We might have to do this again. 👀
