Cocktails, Competition, and Local Flavor: Set the Bar Cocktail Competition Returns to Sarasota April 19 at Ed Smith Stadium
Sarasota-Manatee Originals invites guests to raise a glass to the region’s vibrant culinary community at the return of Set the Bar, the organization’s signature cocktail competition celebrating the creativity and craft of local bartenders.
Taking place Sunday, April 19, from 4 to 7 PM at Ed Smith Stadium, Set the Bar brings together talented mixologists from Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants for an evening of spirited competition, exceptional cocktails, and interactive experiences.
Dining at a locally owned restaurant is more than just a meal. It is an experience woven with passion, creativity, and a deep sense of place. It is the artistry of chefs crafting dishes inspired by fresh, regional ingredients. It is the precision of bartenders balancing bold flavors to create cocktails that linger on the palate. It is the warm hospitality that turns an evening out into something unforgettable.
Sarasota-Manatee Originals preserves and celebrates that spirit, representing more than 70 independently owned restaurants that define the character and flavor of Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
An Afternoon Cocktail Competition
At Set the Bar, 25 of the area’s top bartenders will compete to craft the most outstanding cocktail, showcasing skill, innovation, and creativity in a lively showdown.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample cocktails across five spirit categories and help determine the evening’s winners while enjoying live music, entertainment, and the vibrant atmosphere that defines Sarasota’s hospitality scene.
Cocktail Competition Categories
Gin Category – powered by 6 O’Clock Gin
- 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails
- Euphemia Haye
- Harry’s Continental Kitchens
- Miguel’s Restaurant
- Taverna Toscana
Rum Category – powered by Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum
- Bar JPAN
- Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.
- Mimi Brasserie & Speakeasy
- Paradise Grill
Tequila Category – powered by Los Linderos Reposado Tequila
- Kolucan
- Michael’s on East
- Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant
- Pop’s Sunset Grill
- The Feast Restaurant
Vodka Category – powered by Ketel One Vodka
- Fins at Sharky’s
- Mean Deans Local Kitchen
- Rose & Ivy
- Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi
- Tzeva at Art Ovation Hotel
Whiskey Category – powered by Jeptha Creed Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
- Bavaro’s
- Brick’s Smoked Meats
- British Open Pub
- Cafe Gabbiano
- Jack Dusty
In addition to the cocktail competition, Set the Bar also features the Bar Bites Competition, where participating Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants serve signature bar bites and snack-style dishes crafted to complement the cocktails being poured throughout the evening. Guests will sample the bites and vote for their favorite.
Bar Bites Competition
- 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails
- Bavaro’s
- Brick’s Smoked Meats
- British Open Pub
- Drunken Poet
- Fins at Sharky’s
- Mean Deans Local Kitchen
- Michael’s on East
- Mimi Brasserie & Speakeasy
- Michael’s on East
- Pastry Art Cafe
- Pop’s Sunset Grill
- Taverna Toscana
- The Breakfast Company
- The Feast Restaurant
- Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill
- Tzeva at Art Ovation Hotel
Celebrating Independent Restaurants
Choosing to dine at a Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant is about more than enjoying great food and drinks. It is about supporting the independent chefs, bartenders, and hospitality professionals who shape the region’s culinary identity.
Set the Bar celebrates their talent, creativity, and passion while showcasing the vibrant dining culture that makes Sarasota and Manatee Counties such a special place to live and visit.
“Set the Bar celebrates the creativity and talent behind Sarasota and Manatee’s independent restaurant scene,” said Marne Gaston, Director of Operations for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. “Our bartenders and chefs bring incredible energy and craftsmanship to what they do, and this event lets guests experience that firsthand. Hosting it at Ed Smith Stadium, one of Sarasota’s most iconic venues, makes it even more special because it brings the whole community together to celebrate local hospitality.”
Event Details
Set the Bar Cocktail Competition
Ed Smith Stadium | Sarasota
Sunday, April 19 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Guests will enjoy:
- Cocktail tastings from competing bartenders
- Bar Bites competition from participating local restaurants
- Live music and entertainment
- Interactive experiences and audience voting
Tickets are limited and available to guests 21+. Purchase online at eatlikealocal.com/set-the-bar.
About Sarasota-Manatee Originals
Sarasota-Manatee Originals is an organization of more than 70 locally owned, independent restaurants dedicated to promoting and sustaining the unique culinary character of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Through events, collaborations, and community engagement, the organization encourages residents and visitors alike to Eat Like a Local.