Motif magazine hosted its 2023 Rhode Island Bartenders Ball and awards at RI Indoor Karting in Lincoln on July 10. The event spotlighted the talents of Rhode Island’s top bartenders with a brand showcase, awards ceremony, bartending competitions and live entertainment. Rhode Island residents were invited to vote for their favorite mixologists and venues prior to the event in a variety of fun categories, including Best Bartender as a Therapist, Favorite Beard, Favorite Singing Bartender and many more. Winners in the Best Overall category were Second Runner-up, Most Votes Overall: Scarlett Delgado; Second Runner-up, Most Votes Overall: Leah Stoddard; First Runner-up, Favorite Overall Bartender: Corinne Southern; and Favorite Overall Bartender: Michael “Riggs” Rigney. In its second year, the event was sponsored by Grey Sail Brewing, Guinness Beer, Bootblack Brand, Smoke Lab Vodka, Rhodium by RI Spirits and Mancini Beverage. Guests also enjoyed live entertainment with music spun by DJ Pauly Danger and the Providence Drum Troupe and a burlesque performance by Mary “Rose Noir” Langlois. For a complete list of winners, visit motifri.com/bartender-awards/.
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- Motif magazine hosted its 2023 Rhode Island Bartender Awards at RI Indoor Karting in Lincoln on July 10.
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- Winner Corinne Southern, Overall Favorite Bartender Runner-up and Best Social Media; Scout Lyons, Event Video Host; Vito Lantz, Comedian, Radio Host and Co-owner, Lucky Enough; and Windsong Hadley, Host and Owner, Askew.
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- Mike Ryan, Publisher, Motif.
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- Volunteers Colleen and Steve Mulligan, Motif.
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- Jon Edgell, Bartender, The Aviary Restaurant & Bar and John Begin, Founder, Newport Cocktail Wars.
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- Michael Reardon, Brewery Ambassador and judge of the Guinness Perfect Pint Pour competition.
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- A pint of Guinness for the Perfect Pint Pour competition.
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- Wayne Gonsalves, The Stable, winner of Favorite Gay Bar and Bartender Michael Rigney, The Stable, winner of Favorite Overall Bartender.
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- Bartender Kyara Vargas, nominee in Favorite Ronin Bartender category.
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- Winner of Favorite Bartender in an Unexpected Location: Steve Sharp, Foolproof Brewing Company.
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- DeKuyper Triple Sec Liqueur and South County Distillers Agave Spirit.
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- The live challenge event saw competing bartenders show off their skills.
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- A bartender participating in the live challenge.
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- A live challenge bartender prepares to make their margarita.
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- Bartenders used South County Distillers Agave Spirit in a margarita-making competition.
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- Patrick Bailey, Regional Sales Representative, New England, Smoke Lab Vodka.
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- Smoke Lab Classic Vodka, Aniseed Flavored Vodka and Flavored Saffron Vodka.
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- Paul Kubiski, Owner, Bootblack Brand.
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- Bootblack Brand Hibiscus Rose Cosmopolitan Cocktail Mixer, Jalapeño Margarita Cocktail Mixer, Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup and Pomegranate Grenadine Cocktail Syrup.
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- Kimberly Paine, Bartender, RI Spirits showcasing Rhodium Forager’s Gin.
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- Guests enjoyed a performance by the Providence Drum Troupe.
Photos by Laura Widness.
