Meet Our Best Bartender Nominee From Aunty Betty’s!

Learn more about each of our Best Bartender noms each week, beginning with Reese Hailey.

It’s that time of year again! Voting for Best Bartender is now open for our cast of 2023 nominees. Beyond your chance to get a taste of their talent at our upcoming Cocktail Classic presented by The Exchange Raleigh Nov. 18, get to know each nom in our weekly Dish on This spotlight. 

This week, meet Reese Hailey… when they aren’t shaking up ’tails behind the Aunty Betty’s bar or bingewatching The Boys, find them noshing at St. Roch or grabbing drinks at Dram. Could this master mixologist be the one to nab our 2022 Bartender of the Year Colby Kress’ trophy (the highly coveted prize gets passed to the champ a la Stanley Cup)? It’s up to you! Cast your ballot for Best Bartender (and Best Bars across a range of categories) now through Dec. 15. Cheers! 

Fave drink to make?

Clover Club

Least fave to make?

None yet.

Your go-to drink order?

A cider or a Last Word

Fave bar (not your own)?

Dram & Draught 

Fave Raleigh restaurant?

St. Roch

Cocktail book?

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail 

Mentor?

Rey, Greg Ewen, Jacob Davis