Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic postponed due to coronavirus
Tue. March 17, 2020 2:08 PM by Ross Forman
robb godek was the chicago regional winner in 2019
The 11 remaining regional contests, plus this year's new Wild Card event, and the finale of the 7th annual Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic in June have all been postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"In the spirit of the resilience with which our community shines bright in the face of adversity, know that we already have set with our incredible partners at (the) Key West Business Guild, a possible week to hold our Finale events in November," said Patrik Gallineaux, the National LGBT Ambassador at Stoli USA.
The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic is the world's largest LGBT bartender celebration, honoring the legacy of gay bars as the original LGBT community centers and recognizing the Bar Stars who continue to excel.
The theme for the 2020 event: THE STOLIMPICS.
"The Olympics represent those whose achievements are worthy of the highest recognition and honor. With this year's tour, we strive to discover our very own class of "Stolimpians," who are asked to create an exceptional Stoli cocktail while celebrating the people, places, and things relevant to their city, state, or region who have proven themselves worthy of this caliber," organizers announced earlier this year.
"It could be a person from the bartender's city who made it to Broadway and won a Tony Award. It could be a movie musical set in their hometown that went on to win an Oscar. It could be a brilliant scientist or humanitarian from their state who was handed the Nobel Peace Prize. It could be a charitable organization that has been highly recognized for their work to support the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, a military hero with a Purple Heart, or literally a dedicated athlete who indeed won Olympic gold.
"One Bar Star in each city who best presents to this theme onstage while raising his/her/their cocktail shaker of a torch high in the preparation of a medal-worth Stoli cocktail will win a trip to the most coveted finish line in the LGBTQ+ world of bartending, the June 1-8 Key West Pride Week Finale."
The regional contests kicked off in early March, and Stoli crowned a champion at its events in Dallas and Philadelphia. The next regional contest, which is the first postponed, was to be held this Thursday in San Diego, then Saturday in Los Angeles.
The Chicago finals were to be held Saturday, April 18, at Sidetrack.
"To all the incredible bartenders who were planning to compete, know that we will hold your spot and be PROUD to shine the brightest light and celebrate you and the pride YOU serve every day. We look forward to resuming our events, (such as) at Sidetrack," Gallineaux said.
Robb Godek was the Chicago regional winner in 2019.
Godek and CircuitMOM herself, Matthew Harvat, should be able to participate in the Chicago event later this year as judges, as both were unavailable for the April 18 event, Gallineaux said.
"The health and well-being of the bartending community, service industry employees, patrons, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies is our No. 1 priority," Gallineaux said. "Stoli Vodka is committed to championing the LGBTQ+ community and honors the legacy and resilience of gay bars as the original LGBTQ+ community centers."
"In the spirit of the resilience with which our community shines bright in the face of adversity, know that we already have set with our incredible partners at (the) Key West Business Guild, a possible week to hold our Finale events in November," said Patrik Gallineaux, the National LGBT Ambassador at Stoli USA.
The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic is the world's largest LGBT bartender celebration, honoring the legacy of gay bars as the original LGBT community centers and recognizing the Bar Stars who continue to excel.
The theme for the 2020 event: THE STOLIMPICS.
"The Olympics represent those whose achievements are worthy of the highest recognition and honor. With this year's tour, we strive to discover our very own class of "Stolimpians," who are asked to create an exceptional Stoli cocktail while celebrating the people, places, and things relevant to their city, state, or region who have proven themselves worthy of this caliber," organizers announced earlier this year.
"It could be a person from the bartender's city who made it to Broadway and won a Tony Award. It could be a movie musical set in their hometown that went on to win an Oscar. It could be a brilliant scientist or humanitarian from their state who was handed the Nobel Peace Prize. It could be a charitable organization that has been highly recognized for their work to support the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, a military hero with a Purple Heart, or literally a dedicated athlete who indeed won Olympic gold.
"One Bar Star in each city who best presents to this theme onstage while raising his/her/their cocktail shaker of a torch high in the preparation of a medal-worth Stoli cocktail will win a trip to the most coveted finish line in the LGBTQ+ world of bartending, the June 1-8 Key West Pride Week Finale."
The regional contests kicked off in early March, and Stoli crowned a champion at its events in Dallas and Philadelphia. The next regional contest, which is the first postponed, was to be held this Thursday in San Diego, then Saturday in Los Angeles.
The Chicago finals were to be held Saturday, April 18, at Sidetrack.
"To all the incredible bartenders who were planning to compete, know that we will hold your spot and be PROUD to shine the brightest light and celebrate you and the pride YOU serve every day. We look forward to resuming our events, (such as) at Sidetrack," Gallineaux said.
Robb Godek was the Chicago regional winner in 2019.
Godek and CircuitMOM herself, Matthew Harvat, should be able to participate in the Chicago event later this year as judges, as both were unavailable for the April 18 event, Gallineaux said.
"The health and well-being of the bartending community, service industry employees, patrons, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies is our No. 1 priority," Gallineaux said. "Stoli Vodka is committed to championing the LGBTQ+ community and honors the legacy and resilience of gay bars as the original LGBTQ+ community centers."