The Cocktail Bar League

The judge's panel

Named. Public. Only for finals.

How judging works

Judging is tiered. Anonymous scouts run the regular season on the standardized rubric. A named celebrity panel judges only the finals. That split keeps scientific rigor in the regular season and adds star power to the moment that actually matters.

Who we're looking for

  • Bartenders and bar owners with 10+ years of craft experience
  • Spirits industry veterans (brand ambassadors, master distillers, category managers)
  • Culinary authorities (chefs, restaurant critics, sommeliers)
  • Long-time hospitality writers and podcasters
  • Anyone whose palate the community trusts

The Season 1 panel

Being assembled. Announced August 2026.

Nominate a judge