POINT PLEASANT BEACH — In the Chamber of Commerce’s first take at a bartending competition, 11 bartenders from local Point Beach establishments competed for the best take of three classic cocktails.
Over 200 patrons came out to Boatyard 401 on Sunday afternoon to witness local bartenders face off in curating their best version of a bloody Mary, cosmopolitan and espresso martini for taste, style and pace.
Upstairs, a panel of five judges — Mayor Doug Vitale, John Hilla of Joe Leone’s, Moussa “Bass” of Daniel’s Bistro, Natalie LaManna of Mugsy’s Mercantile, and Bert Roling, co-owner of Last Wave Brewing Company — spent the afternoon dedicated to discovering the best-tasting cocktail among 11 bars in Point Pleasant Beach.
Carol Vacarro, executive director of the Point Pleasant Beach Chamber of Commerce said, “This is the first time that we’re doing it, and thought it would be fun offseason to do a little friendly competition with all of the chamber member bars.”
Each establishment selected one of its bartenders to participate in the competition. Some bartenders topped the drinks with elaborate garnishes.
The goal of the day, she said, was to introduce and showcase local bars and their bartenders, saying, “people that used to go to one place, may take a liking to one of the bartenders that are here, and patronize different restaurants.”
Bartenders from participating businesses included Boatyard 401, Broadway Bar & Grill, The Offshore Restaurant, River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar, The Ark, Point Lobster Bar & Grill, Amendment 21, Beacon 70, Martell’s Tiki Bar, B2 Bistro and Bar, Sinner’s Steakhouse and Wharfside & Patio Bar.
Spectators also chose their “favorite bartender” of the afternoon, on a scale from one (poor) to five (excellent), taking into account the drink’s presentation, appearance of the drink; showmanship, stage presence and engagement; confidence, professionalism and control and pace/efficiency, or the speed and flow of service.
Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoyed a full buffet all day long, plus drinks and DJ music by Joe Doe. The real-time competition was visible to all throughout the restaurant and around the bar by livestream on mounted TVs.
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