1. Must be 21 years or older.

2. Must be a professional bartender.  Priority given to LRW establishments.

3. Be available for a mandatory meeting at Parkway FoodHall on October 13 at 10am (subject to change) & participate in the competition October 18th 1-5pm in person

4. Apply by deadline to be considered (2026 deadline to apply is October 12, 2026)

5. Accepted competitors will be notified by email and organizers reserve full rights to determine the number and process for accepting competitors.

6. No payment is required for entry, this is a free prize competition

7. Recipes for cocktails remain the property of the entrant and are required to be shared with the judges.

8. Provide 100 oz of batched cocktail for to be served to judges and VIP
9. One cocktail must be made and presented for presentation and photography

a. Cocktail guidelines-

■ Can include any alcohol specialty mixers or garnishes (supplied by competitors).

■ Standard bar tools and  glassware provided– or you can bring your own. The competitor is responsible for bringing all ingredients and preferred tools and glassware if they are not the standard type.

■ Ice will be available onsite and freezer space will be made available onsite.

■ Drinks may be served hot, straight up or over cubed or crushed ice.

■ 1 drink  must be made in front of judges and audience members during the competition.

■ Any unsafe or unhygienic methods or ingredients will disqualify the competitors entry and it will not be judged.

■ Garnishes must be edible but can be on sticks, skewers, straws or other common bar accessories. Use of peels, sprigs, leaves, barks, and edible flowers are permitted.

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10. Competitors agree to the use of video and photography for promotional purposes before, during and after the event by LRW and host location.

Theme

This year’s BarBoss theme, "Rock the Bar", puts music at the heart of every cocktail.Bartenders are challenged to create an original cocktail inspired by a song, lyric, band, musician, album, or concert. The connection can be obvious, clever, nostalgic, unexpected—or completely over the top. The goal is to translate the spirit of music into a glass through flavor, presentation, technique, and creativity.​​

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Judging

A panel of 3-5 judges will award points based on taste, presentation, appearance, uniqueness, skills/methods and theme. 

There will also be public voting for favorite Drink/Bartender based on presentation/personality so bring your crowd

*Specific criteria will be provided to competitors after acceptance.

 

Prizes

Winner: $500 cash prize, engraved Longmont Restaurant Bar Boss Trophy to display for 1 year and medal to keep.

Runner Up: $250 cash prize and medal to keep

Honorable Mention: $100 cash prize and medal to keep

People’s Choice: Medal to keep