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February 4, 2010
BMLV helps raise $35,000 for Haiti oprhanage at Top Chef dinner in LA
BarMagic of Las Vegas joined forces with five Top Chef cheftestants in Los Angeles at a private charity dine-around and cocktail party benifitting the Sion de Foyer orphanage in Haiti. Led by BarMagic's Tobin Ellis, Christian Oldan and Amanda Gager poured fresh, specialty cocktails while chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, Ilan Hall, Marcus Vignernon, and Antonia Lafoso cooked and served an amazing spread of culinary treats for approximately 150 guests. The evening raised more than $35,000 for the oprhanage which looks after 200 children in Haiti. The event was sponsored by Azunia Tequila and supported by Sailor Jerry Rum, Leblon Cachaça, Monin Syrups, and Aperol Liqueur.
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December 26, 2009
BMLV finishes one year of traveling Speakeasy known as Social Mixology
BarMagic of Las Vegas will host its final party of the year this Tuesday December 29th as part of the highly-touted Social Mixology series– Las Vegas' (and possibly the worlds) first and only traveling speakeasy. Social Mixology is a celebration of cocktail culture and Las Vegas nightlife featuring a different artisan spirit each month showcased in rotating fresh vintage, classic, and contemporary cocktails made by the BMLV team. BMLV is led by 3-time national bartending champion Tobin Ellis and regular Food Network guest. The Tuesday night party moves to a new secret location each week to keep the underground vibe alive in a town where great parties are often overrun by camera-carrying tourists. Social Mixology features all fresh cocktails ranging from pre-prohibition classics like the Martinez to gastro-molecular original creations like the Bacon-washed Tuaca "Gentleman's Breakfast" as well as ice off the block, housemade tonics, bitters, syrups, tinctures, and more. The music is non-cmmerical DJ-driven and there are constant surprises including guest celebrity bartenders from around Las Vegas and the country. Past guests include Naren Young, Charlotte Voisey, Tony Abou-Ganim, Dale DeGroff, Drew Levinson, Gaston Martinez, Jim Ryan, and more. Social Mixology has been hosted at local off-strip cocktail bars like Nora's Cuisine as well as some of the most high-profile properties on the Las Vegas Strip including The Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas. To find out where the next event is held, see photos from past events, and find out the weekly password, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com or search "Social Mixology" on facebook.
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December 8, 2009
BMLV's Tobin Ellis, John Hogan and Top Chef Michael Voltaggio
BarMagic of Las Vegas's Tobin Ellis and John Hogan were on hand at the Langham Resort to make cocktails in celebration of Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio on the night of the show's finale. Voltaggio first worked with the BMLV team in 2007 hosting a cocktail-paired dinner for the Greenbrier Advisory BOard in May of 2007 and later opening Voltaggio's signature restaurant at the legendary 5-diamond Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Hogan & Ellis served five cocktails for the invitation-only VIP crowd: a classic Plymouth Negroni, Hendrick's & Outlaw Brown Tonic, Leblon Zamboni (Cachaça Negroni), Spiked Tea (Maker's Mark, Fresh Iced Tea, Lemon Espuma), and the award-winning Leblon Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaça, St. Germain, Apricot-Fig Jam, Peychaud Bitters, Lemon Espuma, Apricot Coulis, Cardamom Dust). BarMagic credits friend and acclaimed chef Voltaggio for teaching them molecular techniques in 2007.
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December 5, 2009
Tobin Ellis' BMLV hosts Las Vegas' official Repeal Day Celebration once again
For the second straight year, BarMagic of Las Vegas has held the official Plymouth Gin Repeal Day Celebration. This year's event began with a VIP invitation-only cocktail-paired or "Spirited" dinner at ENVY Steakhouse at the Renaissance Hotel featuring Tuaca and Woodford Reserve Cocktails. Afterwards, BMLV held a Social Mixology Repeal Day party featuring vintage, classic, and contemporary Plymouth and Plymouth Sloe Gin cocktails in a private room at FIRST Food & Bar at The Palazzo that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. The event included a 4-piece jazz band, burlesque dancers, ice-off-the-block and special guest mixologist John Hogan who flew in From Annapolis to surprise the local crowd. Plymouth Sloe Gin is not available in Nevada and BMLV was issued the only case Las Vegas will see all year.
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November 4, 2009
BMLV's Tobin Ellis on cast of new NBC show
BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis is one of three judges on the second season of lxtv/NBC's "On the Rocks: The Search for America's Top Bartender" sponsored by Absolut Vodka. The reality competition follows eight top bartenders from around the United States who are competing for $100,000 in Las Vegas. The show airs Nov 7th, 14th, and 21st right after Saturday Night Live on most NBC stations. Ellis was part of the behind the scenes crew on last year's season one, which was won by Las Vegas' own Amanda Gager. Gager was also a judge this season along with the indescribable Fabrizio Brienza, who also judged last season. The three 30-minute episodes will be available in HD online as well at lxtv.com/ontherocks.
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October 17, 2009
Social Mixology is back every Tuesday in Las Vegas
Las Vegas' first and only traveling speakeasy, Social Mixology, has landed back in Las Vegas after a summer of traveling the country. Register with Social Mixology today and receive access to this coming Tuesdays' underground event featuring including the exact location and password for entry.
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September 15, 2009
Social Mixology Comes Home to Vegas
The Las Vegas traveling speakeasy Social Mixology returns home this coming Tuesday, September 22, 2009 with fresh classic and culinary cocktails featuring a new spirit, created by BarMagic of Las Vegas. To find out the exact time and location, log onto the Finca Vigia, the virtual speakeasy at socialmixologyvegas.com.
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September 10, 2009
Legalize Cachaça Tour This Sunday Sept 13
Las Vegas cocktail fans, bartenders, beverage professionals, and friends will be marching the Las Vegas strip on September 13th to recognize Cachaça for what it is, rather than "Brazilian Rum" which is how it is legally classified in the U.S. right now. Please join us in this march! We will have LEGALIZE t-shirts for everybody, picket signs, and all. RSVP to Stefanie@liveloveleblon.com if you are able to make it to any or all of our stops. Feel free to invite your friends as well. All Leblon cocktails and food courtesy of Leblon. Must be 21 or older.
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September 4, 2009
Season Two Casting Call - America's Top Bartender
Season #2 of Absolut Vodka's On the Rocks: The Search for America's Top Bartender is about to begin casting and BarMagic of Las Vegas is helping launch it all, this Wednesday September 9th at Caramel Lounge at the Bellagio from 8pm-11pm with complimentary Absolut cocktails and passed hors d'oeurvres for local bartenders. Don't miss the official launch party for this LX.TV/NBC reality competition which will cast top bartenders from cities across America, including Las Vegas, in a battle for $100,000 and the title of "America's Top Bartender." See the accompanying evite for complete casting information.
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July 16, 2009
BMLV takes 1st place at TRU Spirits Barmade Bitters Challenge
BarMagic of Las Vegas' John Hogan and Tobin Ellis took 1st place in the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Barmade Bitters competition sponsored by TRU Spirits this past Sunday in New Orleans. Selected from hundreds of entries months ago, the field was narrowed to the best 15 homemade cocktail bitters, including Hogan & Ellis' English Lavender & Spice bitters. A blend of cinchona, cardamom, chamomile, wild organic lavender, English cucumber, sage, and all-spice– the duo's bitters won the spice category and will be bottled and sold around the United States in the near future. The process of making the winning bitters began last year in October, when the Las Vegas beverage consultants began making single-spice tinctures which they maticiously blend by palate, to create the final product. Winners in the other two categories including Baked Big Apple bitters by Marshall Atlier (Fruit) and Swedish Bitters by Adam Seger (Herb). The competition was judged by Livio Lauro (USBG President), Allen Katz (Slow Food USA), John Deragon (PDT) and TRU Spirit owners Litty and Melkon.
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July 11, 2009
Las Vegas wins Tales of the Cocktail Leblon Caipirinha Competition
Tobin Ellis (BMLV) and Andrew Pollard (Noir Bar) won the USBG National Finals of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Leblon Caipirinha competition representing Las Vegas, tonight at Pat O'Briens in New Orleans. BMLV's cocktail was the Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaca, St. Germain, Apricot & Fig Preserves, Peychaud Bitters, Apricot Nectar – topped with fresh lemon espuma and garnished with cardamom dust and an apricot coulis.) Andrew's cocktail was the El Calor de Brasil (The Heart of Brazil made with Leblon Cachaça, Homemade Jalepeno Syrup, Fresh Lime juice, Tangerine Juice, Basil, and Pineapple). Kristen Schaefer, Tobin Ellis, and John Hogan prepared the Sao Paolo Flip for an expert panel of judges and a global industry crowd of 300 that included Dale Degroff, Gaston Martinez, Drew Levinson, Bobby "G" Gleason, Phil Raimondo, Brian Loukmas, Alex Velez, Eddie Perelez, and many more industry heavyweights. Bartenders from nine U.S. cities (including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Miami, New York and Washington D.C.) submitted recipes months go and 18 finalisst (two from each city) were selected to compete in the finals. Last year's winner Tad Carducci won this years' "People's Choice" award with his contemporary Caipirinha that featured Indian spices.
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June 27, 2009
BMLV's Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Dinner to feature Founders' Table
At this year's Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans 25 Spirited Dinners will be held on Thursday July 9th but only one will feature a "Founders Table" with special guests Ann and Paul Tuennerman and Dale and Jill DeGroff. BMLV's John Hogan, Kristen Schaefer, and Tobin Ellis will be again conducting what was a sell-out event last year for 106 people at The Pelican Club. Each course of celebrated New Orleans chef Richard Hughes will be paired with a custom fresh cocktail, see the menu for details. Reservations are $100 per personand include all food and cocktails, while still available. 21 and over only with proper ID. For reservations call The Pelican Club at 504-523-1504. Cocktail reception begins promptly at 8pm on Thursday July 9th. Tales of the Cocktail is an annual event held in New Orleans celebrating the history and art of the cocktail. For more information and tickets to Tales, visit www.talesofthecocktail.com.
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June 23, 2009
Upcoming Cocktail Events in Las Vegas
The last week of June will feature two cocktail events for those who appreciate vintage and contemporary fresh cocktails. One will be a Milagro event on Monday June 29th and the other will be a Bartender Luncheon on Tuesday June 30th. For complete details including locations and times, register with Social Mixology and visit Finca Vigia.
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May 30, 2009
Tobin Ellis on Martha Stewart Radio Friday June 5
BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis will be making cocktails on the Martha Stewart "Living Today" radio program on Sirius/XM this Friday June 5th at 1pm PST/4pm EST. Ellis will be making and explaining four fresh cocktails all themed around the idea of Twisted Summer Classics. The four drinks he will be making include homemade ingredients combined with craft spirits and fresh fruits and vegetables. For recipes, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com and register for access. Ellis is filling in during a Las Vegas taping of the show for regular cocktail host Allen Katz, Mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York.
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May 28, 2009
Find Out Where Best Cocktails in Vegas Are
The 2009 Las Vegas Weekly Readers' Choice Awards named the best cocktail, best nonhotel bar, and best bartender this week. Find out who the winners were by registering with socialmixologyvegas.com below.
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May 19, 2009
Two Las Vegas Cocktail Bars make Food & Wine's Top 100 List
The 2009 edition of Food & Wine's book on cocktails in America features a list of the editor's picks for the top 100 Cocktail Bars in the United States and two Las Vegas bars were named in that list. To find out which two made the grade, register with Social Mixology today and get access to all kinds of insider info on the Las Vegas cocktail scene.
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May 13, 2009
Las Vegas wins US Finals of World Cocktail Cup
The US National Finals of the World Cocktail Cup were held last night in San Francisco and the winner was Las Vegas' own Armando Rosario, of Southern Wine & Spirits with his entry made with Sauza, Cucumber, Dill, and Fresh Lime. More details coming. Congratulations Armando!!
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May 12, 2009
Social Mixology Makes National News
Social Mixology is the subject of a feature article in May's Tasting Panel Magazine, a national industry publication. Social Mixology is just in its eleventh week and has already generated a fair amount of regional and industry attention with articles and blogs also found in the Las Vegas Weekly, drinkboy.com, The Las Vegas Sun, and The Modern Mixologist. For more information including the location of this month's events, register with Social Mixology today.
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May 11, 2009
Schaefer & Velez in Tasting Panel Magazine
BarMagic of Las Vegas' Kristen Schaefer and Las Vegas' Alex Velez both appear in this month's Tasting Panel Magazine in an article about the 2009 Domaine de Canton Bartender of the Year Competition held recently in St. Maarten. Schaefer and Velez were two of 12 US finalists selected out of thousands who began the competition in 2008. The two Las Vegas bartenders went on to qualify for the national finals after beating out a handful of Los Angeles mixologists at the Southwest regional held in Los Angeles in early 2009.
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May 8, 2009
What's new at Social Mixology in May?
Social Mixology has introduced a late night menu in May featuring Roasted Caprese, Mussels alla Arbiata,Cavatelli & Capellini, Rib-Eye Steak, and more as well as complimentary passed pizza from 10pm-midnight each week. DJ Jessica Lynn provides the musical vibe, we provide the CORZO Tequila cocktails including the Grilled & Chilled– a blend of Corzo Anejo Tequila, Caramelized Grand Marnier, Fresh Lime, Agave Nectar, and healthy measure of Chilean Malbec, all topped with a sweet lime and cardamom espuma. Want to know where the weekly Tuesday night event is being held this month? Register right now and find out.
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May 5, 2009
May's Venue Announced to Social Mixology Members
The third month of Social Mixology kicks off tonight in Las Vegas with a brand new spirit and all new cocktail features. The event dubbed "Social de Mayo" will be from 9pm - 3am at a location known only to Social Mixology members. So register right now and you will be able to access all the inside info including the location of tonight's party.
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May 4, 2009
Photo Gallery from Carnaval Blanco Coming Soon
A complete photo gallery of Carnaval Blanco will be posted inside the private site for registered members of Social Mixology this week. To access and download the photos, register with us today.
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May 3, 2009
Social Mixology presents Leblon's Carnaval Blanco
April’s Social Mixology Finale Party, sponsored by Leblon natural cane Cachaça, will be held Sunday May 3rd and begin at an undisclosed location in a 5-star Casino & Resort from 8pm-12am. The event will feature a number of different Leblon cocktails as well as surprise guests, and authentic Spanish tapas. Invited guests will then be limo’d to Sin de Janiero afterhours at Drai's as guests of Leblon where they will enjoy complimentary VIP entry and complimentary Leblon cocktails all evening. Leblon will be picking up the tab for the entire evening, there’s just one catch–
The only way to gain access to the party us with a black SMX poker chip. Loyal devotees who have attended multiple Social Mixology events will be receiving green and black chips for each event attended, allowing them to bring guests of their own to the finale party on Sunday, May 3rd.
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April 26, 2009
Who Won the Las Vegas WCC?
The Las Vegas qualifiers of the 2009 World Cocktail Competition took place today at Nora's Cocktail Bar in Las Vegas. The winner was.... [register with Social Mixology to read more]
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April 24, 2009
Tom Bulleit at Nora's Cuisine this Tuesday
Join legendary Bulleit Bourbon founder Tom Bulleit, Jr. this Tuesday April 28th at 4pm at Nora's Cuisine for a Bourbon tasting and cocktails.
Nora's Cuisine
6020 W Flamingo Rd # 10
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 365-6713
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April 23, 2009
Mixology Monday at DCR Mon 4/27
The Downtown Cocktail Room will begin its monthly event "Mixology Monday" this Monday, April 27 with cocktails featuring Veev Açai Spirit. The event begins as 9pm and is open to the public. For location and more information, register with Social Mixology.
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April 23, 2009
Tickets to Tales of Cocktail Spirited Dinners On Sale Now
Tickets to the 7th Annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, July 8th-12th are on sale now at www.talesofthecocktail.com.
The event brings top spirits experts, bartender/bar chefs/mixologists, writers, and cocktail fans from around the world together for a week of cocktail culture. Las Vegas' very own BMLV will be hosting another spirited dinner at The Pelican Club on Thursday, July 9th. Last years's BarMagic spirited dinner was one of only three to sell out and had the largest attendance of any spirited dinner at the event, so make sure to buy your tickets now. The menu for the BMLV spirited dinner at The Pelican Club is online at the Tales website. On Friday July 10th, come support Noir Bar's Andrew Pollard and BMLV's Tobin Ellis as they represent Vegas in the USBG/Leblon National Cocktail Competition at Pat O'Briens at 9pm. Tastings, seminars, and plenty of other Tales events will feature Las Vegas' finest cocktail authorities including Tony Abou-Ganim, Bobby "G" Gleason, Francesco Lafranconi, Gaston Martinez, Drew Levinson, Sean Bigley, Anthony Alba, Alex Velez, Kristen Schaefer, John Hogan, Amanda Gager, and more.
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April 17, 2009
World Cocktail Competition Qualifiers at Nora's this Sun 4/26
The USBG World Cocktail Competition Las Vegas qualifiers will be held at Nora's Cuisine this coming Sunday April 26th at noon. The winner will qualify for the US Finals in San Fransico to be held Tuesday May 12th at Harry Denton's Starlight Room at 5pm. This years' Las Vegas qualifier is being sponsored by Sauza Tres Generaciones Tequila.
Nora's Cuisine
6020 W Flamingo Rd # 10
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 365-6713
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April 14, 2009
TAG KICKS OFF THE 2009 TOUR
Social Mixology began its 2009 tour this week with Las Vegas’ own Tony Abou-Ganim working the “Design Your Own Caipirinha” Bar at the Red Room in Las Vegas. The legendary barman who brought an all-fresh cocktail program to Bellagio more than 10 years ago and has gone on to speak, train, and demonstrate all over the world came home and made a cameo appearance on his birthday no less. For just $10 guests were invited to have the Modern Mixologist design a custom Leblon caipirinha with them, exactly to their tastes.
Read the Las Vegas Weekly review of this event.
Social Mixology has been welcoming spirits professionals from all over the world to participate in the weekly cocktail experience including Charlotte Voisey, Jim Ryan, Gaston Martinez, Anthony Alba, Alex Velez, Amanda Gager, Kristen Schaefer, and John Hogan.
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March 27, 2009
Las Vegas' Andrew Pollard & Tobin Ellis Make Leblon Finals
Noir Bar's Andrew Pollard and BMLV's Tobin Ellis qualified for the US finals of the 2009 Leblon Caipirinha National Competition at Tales of the Cocktail this month, a USBG event. Both cocktails will be featured this coming Tuesday, April 21 at The Red Room Saloon in Las Vegas. Pollard will be making his cocktail and BMLV's John Hogan will be making the Sao Paolo Flip which was a collaboration between John Hogan, Kristen Schaefer, and Tobin Ellis. Come support Las Vegas's cocktail scene and try the two cocktails that will represent the 702 in New Orleans this July.
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March 6, 2009
BarMagic opens Rhumbar at The Mirage
BarMagic of Las Vegas opened Rhumbar at The Mirage Resort & Casino today under the leadership of BMLV's Kristen Schaefer. The cocktail and cigar bar features a healthy selection of Rhum Agricoles, Aged Rums, Cachaças, Pisco, and other select spirits and liqueurs including Castries, Veev, and Domaine de Canton. BMLV's John Hogan and Tobin Ellis designed the cocktail program and conducted the staff training last month. But the majority of the operational planning and opening duties were handled by BMLV's Kristen Schaefer who shares her time between BarMagic and the parent company of Rhumbar, DriveThis! Entertainment where she has been appointed corporate bar trainer and lead bartender at Rhumbar. The all-fresh cocktail program includes the requisite Rum classics (1944 Mai Tai, Hemingway Daiquri, Mojito, Zombie, and Scorpion Bowl) as well as some BarMagic signature cocktails and orginal drink features like the runaway top-selling "Spanish Trampoline," a revamp of the winning cocktail on Food Network Challenge (Tangerine Mojave) now made with Sagatiba Cachaça. Also on the menu is the cocktail Schaefer made during the Domain de Canton Bartender of the Year finals in St. Maarten, the Samba Swizzle. DriveThis! Entertainment is a joint client of High Spirits Enterprises and BarMagic of Las Vegas and operates Casa Fuentes at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops, Tacos & Tequila at The Luxor, and Rhumbar at The Mirage. DriveThis! partner Michael Frey also has interests in Montecristo Rum and Freyboy Cigars/Cigarbox. Read the Las Vegas Weekly review of Rhumbar and the Daily Fiasco review of Rhumbar's top-selling specialty drink, the Spanish Trampoline.
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March 4, 2009
HENDRICK'S PARTY
Hendrick’s Gin sponsored the Social Mixology premiere party held tonight at a boutique hotel in Las Vegas. The event featured five unique Hendrick’s cocktails, ice-off-the-block, a password-protected speakeasy molecular bar, VIP tableside classic bar, passed hors d’ouvres, a fireside Hendrick’s & Outlaw bar, and DJ.
Pouring cocktails this evening were William Grant & Sons Brand Champion Charlotte Voisey, Hendrick’s Gin Ambassador Jim Ryan, Wirtz Beverage’s Drew Levinson, Milagro Tequila’s Gaston Martinez, USBG Las Vegas Vice President Anthony Alba, Progressive Bar Las Vegas’ Alex Velez and the BarMagic of Las Vegas team including Kristen Schaefer, John Hogan, Amanda Gager, and Tobin Ellis.
Social Mixology will begin its regular events next Tuesday and most Tuesdays following, all year long. Each month a new artisan spirit will be showcased along with a range of classic to cuting-edge cocktail features, special guests, surprise entertainment, and plenty of unique twists and turns along the way.
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