Rye Tai Cocktail Competition

Presented by Dram & Draught Greensboro

Featuring George Dickel Rye

Get ready for a high-energy, tiki-inspired cocktail showdown where rye whiskey meets tropical creativity. The Rye Tai Cocktail Competition brings together some of the area’s best bartenders for a live, judged competition—and the crowd gets a vote.

This FREE, open-to-the-public event invites guests to sip, cheer, and help crown the People’s Choice Winner, while a panel of judges awards top honors based on skill, speed, and storytelling.

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Competition Concept

Each competing bartender will create one original tiki-style cocktail featuring:

• Minimum 1 oz George Dickel Rye

• At least one homemade ingredient

Bartenders will be judged on:

COCKTAIL NAME • TASTE • PRESENTATION • SPEED •

CREATIVITY • PERFORMANCE

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Date, Time & Location

📅 Wednesday, January 14th

⏰ Event Begins: 7:00 PM

⏱ First Bartender Competes: 7:30 PM

📍 Dram & Draught Greensboro

300 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27406

Bartenders may arrive early to prep and set up.

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Who Should Attend

• Bartenders & hospitality professionals

• Cocktail enthusiasts & tiki fans

• FREE admission — open to the public

Guests are encouraged to cheer on their favorite bartender, participate in crowd voting, and enjoy the energy of a live cocktail competition.

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Competitors, Judges & Awards

• 8–10 bartenders, each representing their bar

• 3 judges (to be announced)

🏆 Awards Include:

1ST PLACE: PINEAPPLE TROPHY & GIFT CARD

2ND PLACE: GIFT CARD

PEOPLES CHOICE: TROPHY & GIFT CARD

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Event Flow

7:00 PM

• Guest arrival & mingling

• Competitor setup

• Music & pre-competition vibes

7:30 PM – Competition Begins

Each bartender round includes:

1. Storytelling & cocktail concept

2. Timed build (Fastest Time category)

3. Presentation & tasting

After Final Competitor

• Judges’ deliberation

• Limited guest sampling (small pours)

• People’s Choice voting via cheering or written ballots

Awards Ceremony

• Winners announced

• Group photos & social content capture

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Bartender Participation

Interested in competing? All bars are welcome.

📧 Email [email protected] to register

Leah will maintain the official competitor list.

Competitor Notes:

• Bartenders must bring all ingredients

• At least one homemade ingredient is required

• Homemade or store-bought liquor allowed (batch bottled & labeled)

• If using spirits carried by Dram & Draught, approved ounces will be covered by the brand rep

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Dram & Draught