Mix It Up

Spy Raleigh Magazine’s Best Bartender nominees—then vote.

’Tis the season to be jolly—and getting our spirits high this season is our cast of 2023 Best Bartender nominees. These top 10 ’tenders have no doubt earned their bar shakers—but only one will earn the crown. You be the judge.

As part of our annual Best Bars Issue in February, one of these crafty cocktailiers from our highly curated cast will take 2022 Bartender of the Year Colby Kress’ trophy (the highly coveted prize gets passed to the champ a la Stanley Cup). Voting for Best Bartender (and Best Bars across a range of categories) is open through Dec. 15. Meet these top mixologists—and get a taste of their talent—on Nov. 18 as the noms mix up 10 riffs on classics (think Old-Fashioned, Negroni, martini) in tandem with a top-shelf liquor brand at our inaugural Cocktail Classic presented by The Exchange Raleigh at Killjoy. The grand tented layered affair will serve up unlimited ’tails, tastes and tunes weaving through the entire space into Killjoy, where you can reserve a front-row seat at the bar to watch your favorite bartender in action—not to mention a themed afterparty on-site.

Grab your tickets before they’re gone and raise a glass to the city’s best bartenders of 2023—then rock the vote and stay tuned for our February Best Bars Issue. cocktailclassicraleigh.com

One Rule: Spread the love across the bar community! You cannot repeat the same bar more than three times. If the same bar is voted on in more than three categories, the entire vote will be disqualified.
Voting closes at midnight on Dec. 15, 2023.

Reese Hailey, Aunty Betty’s: Tom Collins + Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka

Connor Cooke, Clockwork: Old-Fashioned + Southern Star Bourbon

Christian Gibbs, The Haymaker: Daiquiri + Outer Banks Distillery Silver Rum

Serena Thurston, Dram & Draught: Mint Julep + Woodford Reserve

Ian Murray, Foundation: Gold Rush + Cook’s Mill Whiskey

Zoe Palmer, Fox Liquor Bar: Penicillin + Johnnie Walker Scotch

Will Bryant, The Parlor at Heights House: Margarita + Adictivo Tequila 

Kelly Lynch, Watts & Ward: Negroni + Sutler’s Gin

Ingrid Folkers, Whiskey Kitchen: Cosmopolitan + Deep Eddy Vodka

Clovis LaCour, William & Company: Gin Martini + Durham Distillery Conniption Gin