Hey, Virginia Bartenders! You’re Invited to Compete in The 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games.

Virginia Spirits is excited to launch the second-annual Virginia Cocktail Games! 25 mixologists from across the commonwealth will battle it out in two rounds of competition, with one eventually rising to the top as the 2025 Winner of The Virginia Cocktail Games. Here’s how it’ll work:

Round 1. From August 4 – August 18, 2025, this regional, virtual round will feature five bartenders from each of the five regions across the state (25 competitors in total). Each bartender will design a cocktail and submit the recipe and photo for two weeks of online voting. One winner will be determined from each of the 5 regions.

Round 2. The top 5 regional finalists from Round 1 will move on to compete before a panel of judges and Virginia spirits enthusiasts in a live cocktail showdown at Virginia Distilled, an event held at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on September 13, 2025, in Richmond, Va. (accommodations and travel expenses paid).

• All Virginia Bartenders Eligible – Bartenders from all on-premise Virginia ABC licensees are eligible to participate.
• Mix Up Local Flavors – All cocktails will incorporate “hero ingredients” produced by Virginia distillers, showcasing the creativity and diversity of flavors that abound in every corner of the state.
• Win Exciting, High-Value Prizes – Gifts and prizes will be issued to those who advance to each round, with the grand prize winner awarded a complimentary trip to the 2026 US Bartender’s Guild Bar Summit, cash prizes and other great prizes.
• Licensee and Bartender Promotion – Virginia Spirits will extensively promote participating bartenders, Virginia ABC licensees and distilleries across social media throughout the competition, encouraging guests to visit participating establishments and vote for their favorite cocktail in each region. Winners will be featured in a comprehensive public relations campaign spanning local, regional and statewide media channels in early 2026.

Insights from the 2024 Competitors

A Career-Boosting Experience

“It was genuinely an incredibly fun and inspiring experience. I had a very good time, learned a lot and made wonderful friends and professional connections. It was an experience I will truly never forget!”

A Supportive and Skill-Building Competition

“I really enjoyed being a part of Virginia cocktail history and feeling supported by the judging committee! I appreciate all the details, readiness and support the crew gave me. It meant a lot for my first time competing and gave me valuable tools and skills I can apply to my bartending job.”

Featuring the Cocktail In-House Boosted Votes and Guest Engagement

“I insisted on making my drink every time it was ordered at my restaurant. I hand-delivered it and talked to customers about the drink, its concept and the competition. It was a lot of work, but I definitely think it made an impact and encouraged people who didn’t know me to vote.”

Accessible Tools Made Digital Marketing Easy

“For people who aren’t as savvy with marketing, I felt I was given more than enough tools to work with! I also appreciated having constant access to know exactly where the vote was all the time!”