On Monday night, September 29, Motif celebrated the denizens that keep this city liquored up! Thanks so much to R1 Indoor Karting for hosting and sponsoring us, and for musicians and performers Providence Drum Troupe, Danielle Riley, The Bimbo Factory, and DJ Steeley Chris! Also, big shoutout to O’Brien & Brough for sponsoring our mixology competition! Drinks were poured, awards were handed, and people had a good time!
Our live mixology contest was incredibly close, with Nichole Bonollo of Sippin’ Pretty Mobile Bar eking out a win with a delicious Plum & Proper cocktail, nudging out Patrick Hamilton (Skeff’s) with his satisfying Redemption Arc, both crafted lovingly with sponsor ingredient Lime Rock Gin from O’Brien & Brough. The stein-hoisting competition was a route with Sport’s Tap’s Steve Sharp holding a full stein, provided by the German-American Cultural Society, aloft for over five minutes. Sharp’s left arm came in second. A close game of nickels, like the classic quarters but played with wooden nickels from ’Gansett Brewery, was also won by Sharp, and Jacob took top honors in a live “blind pour” contest, where bartenders tried to pour a perfect shot without looking (alcohol donated by our friends at High Spirits liquors in Providence).
Below is our list of winners so you can go out to your local watering hole and congratulate your favorites! Keep an eye out in our next issues for more comprehensive write-ups, with interviews, on the winners and the contests.
BARTENDERS
Bartender in an Unexpected Location (e.g. popups, etc.)
Bri Duffy (Glitz & Garnish)
Favorite Bartender-as-Therapist
Sara Facincani (Lops Brewing)
Best Multitasker
Leah Stoddard (The 133 Club, Hot Club)
Favorite Music Venue Bartender
Kimberly Hallman (Hot Club, The Parlour)
Favorite Singing Bartender
Tara Parkhurst (Union Square Bistro)
Favorite Stylish Bartender
Kelley Baranowski (Hot Club)
Favorite Tasting Room Bartender
Mandy Holt (Narragansett Brewery)
Favorite Fancy Cocktail Bartender
Neda Khan (Ogie’s Trailer Park, The Avery)
Favorite Dive-Bar Bartender
Marissa Iasimone (Deadbeats)
Favorite Local Icon
Mike Kelly (Ogie’s Trailer Park, What Cheer Tavern)
Friendliest Bartender
Bri Duffy (Glitz & Garnish)
Funniest Bartender
Liam Reddy (Lops Brewing)
Creator of New / Original Mixed Drinks
Tara Parkhurst (Union Square Bistro)
Favorite New Bartender
Samantha Carroll (Red Stripe)
2. Nick Durant (Play Arcade) by one vote!
Favorite Ronin (Bartender w/ No Specific Home Base)
Piper Rose Bates (Hot Club, Myrtle)
Sassiest Bartender
Leah Stoddard (The 133 Club, Hot Club)
BARS
Favorite Dive Bar
Deadbeats
Favorite Fancy Drinks and Cocktail Bar
Myrtle
Favorite Neighborhood Bar
Skeff’s
Favorite Overall Watering Hole
Deadbeats
Favorite Bar No Longer With Us
Dusk
Favorite New Bar
Union Square Bistro
OVERALL
Most Write-In Votes – Runner-Up
Gina Slater (Elmhurst Pub)
Most Write-In Votes
Willow Ashman (Pub 594)
Most Write-In Votes – Runner Up (complete wildcard, not nominated)
Anne Williams (No Problemo)
Most Write-In Votes (complete wildcard, not nominated)
Katie Stebenne (Wally’s Weiners / Cigar Bar)
Most Votes Overall: 3rd Place
Victoria Nounpa (The Salon, Troop, Hot Club, Glitz & Garnish)
Most Votes Overall: 2nd Place
Bri Duffy (Glitz & Garnish)
Most Votes Overall:
Tara Parkhurst (Union Square Bistro)