Presented by BARTENDER® Magazine

Art of Hospitality

A cocktail competition for the bartenders who make every guest feel at home, in the glass and behind the bar. Sponsored by Diplomático Rum.

San Diego · Los Angeles · San Francisco · Miami · Orlando

Open to bartenders in these five markets. Must be 21+.

How to enter

Three ways to show us your craft

Every application has three parts. Complete all three in one sitting. It takes about 20 minutes.

Cocktail 1

The classic, reimagined

Riff on a classic rum cocktail using Diplomático. Show us you respect the original and where you’d take it.

Cocktail 2

Your original

Create an original cocktail built around Diplomático. Bring your point of view, your market and your guests.

Submission 3

Your approach to hospitality

Tell us what hospitality means behind your bar: the rituals, details and moments that make a guest feel known.

Where it's happening

Five markets. One standard of hospitality.

San DiegoLos AngelesSan FranciscoMiamiOrlando

Open to bartenders working in these markets only. Proof of employment may be requested. Up to five finalists in each market are judged in their own bar. One winner per market advances to the Miami Final.

Timeline

Applications openNovember 6
Applications closeDecember 20
Regional finalists announcedJanuary 5
Regional in-bar judgingJanuary 15 to February 1
Miami finalists announcedFebruary 5
Miami FinalMarch (date to be announced)

How we judge

20%Cocktail 1, the classic reimagined
20%Cocktail 2, your original cocktail
60%Your approach to hospitality

In-bar judging follows the same 60/40 hospitality-to-cocktails split.

What is in-bar judging?
Regional finalists host our judges at their own bar, making both cocktails and welcoming them just as they would any guest. One finalist per market is then invited to Miami for the in-person final.

The rum

Every entry starts with Diplomático

Build both cocktails around Diplomático Rum. Use Reserva Exclusiva in one cocktail. The other can use Reserva, Mantuano or Planas. Each cocktail must use at least 1.5 oz of Diplomático.

The prize

Recognition worth raising a glass to

The Miami Final winner receives a $3,000 prize. Finalists traveling from outside Miami receive travel and lodging, and every finalist is invited to the finalist events and dinners. The winner will also be featured across BARTENDER’s digital and social channels.

Apply

Art of Hospitality application

Three parts, one submission. You can’t save and return, so have your recipes and photos ready.

Art of Hospitality Application

About you

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Instagram handle

So we can tag you if you advance.

Market

Only bartenders working in these five markets are eligible.

Current role

e.g. Lead Bartender, Bar Manager

Bar or venue

Venue address

Street, city, state, ZIP

Cocktail 1 — The classic, reimagined

Cocktail name

Classic you're riffing on

e.g. Daiquiri, Mai Tai, Old Fashioned

Diplomático expression

Glassware

Ingredients and measurements

One ingredient per line, with exact measures (oz or ml).

Method

Step-by-step. Up to 100 words.

Garnish

Tell us about your riff

What did you keep, what did you change, and why? Up to 100 words.

Photo of your cocktail

Maximum file size: 52.43MB

JPG or PNG, landscape or square, as large as your phone allows (under 10 MB). No logos, watermarks or people drinking.

Cocktail 2 — Your original

Cocktail name

Inspiration

A person, place, memory or ingredient

Diplomático expression

Glassware

Ingredients and measurements

One ingredient per line, with exact measures (oz or ml).

Method

Step-by-step. Up to 100 words.

Garnish

Tell us about your cocktail

Where did it come from, and who is it for? Up to 100 words.

Photo of your cocktail

Maximum file size: 52.43MB

JPG or PNG, landscape or square, as large as your phone allows (under 10 MB). No logos, watermarks or people drinking.

Submission 3 — Your approach to hospitality

Your approach to hospitality

What does hospitality mean behind your bar? Share the rituals, details and moments that make a guest feel known. Up to 300 words.

Link to a video or portfolio (optional)

Photo of you at work (optional)

Maximum file size: 52.43MB

JPG or PNG, landscape or square, as large as your phone allows (under 10 MB). No logos, watermarks or people drinking.

Agreements

Age confirmation

I am 21 years of age or older.

Official Rules

I have read and agree to the Official Rules.

Read the Official Rules

Photo and recipe use

I give BARTENDER Magazine and Diplomático Rum permission to publish my name, recipes and submitted photos to promote this competition.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal U.S. residents age 21 or older who work as bartenders in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami or Orlando. Void where prohibited. Official Rules coming soon.

Please Drink Responsibly.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Art of Hospitality