Ten skilled Denver bartenders competed last night at The Way Back in a tequila-inspired cocktail competition that lit the room on fire. Owner Chad Michael George served as master of ceremonies for the event organized by Herradura Tequila at the Berkeley bar and eatery.
There were two rounds for the competition who was judged by seasoned barmen Mike Henderson, formerly of the Edible Beats, a group that includes Root Down and Linger, and Stuart Jensen who is a co-owner of Curio, the bar that serves the Denver Central Market, plus Kevin Vanegas, the national tequila ambassador for Brown-Forman, which represents Herradura.
Some of Denver's best bars were represented, including the Arvada Tavern, Avanti Food & Beverage, Cloverdale Restaurant and Farm, Adrift, Fireside, Basta, The Way Back, Stanley Market Place and Retrograde. The two bartenders who will represent Denver to the national round in March in Mexico are Les Baker who can be found crafting tiki drinks at Adrift and Nic Lazzareschi of Basta.