Battling bartenders

The eighth annual Sonoma Bar Battle will be held starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. W., Sonoma.

The event is supported by The Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor #111 and the American Legion Jack London Post #489. Local bartenders are going to face off for the title of “Sonoma’s Best Bartender.”

The participants will make a signature cocktail and appetizers for all to try. They will decorate their booth and vie for the attendees’ votes to earn the title for “Best Booth” and “Best Fan Cocktail.”

The bartenders will compete in an “Iron Bartender” challenge; once on stage, each bartender will have 10 minutes to make “their” cocktail using a secret ingredient that has just been revealed to them. The winner from each heat will move to the final; this winner will be given the title of “Sonoma’s Best Bartender.”

Organizers have partnered with Charbay Distillery & Winery, Beam Suntory and Sonoma’s 35 Maple Street to provide the spirits for this year’s event.

For the fifth year, Gloria Ferrer is going to be hosting its competition within the Sonoma Bar Battle. Each bartender competing will be asked to make a “new” cocktail using Gloria Ferrer sparkling.

For the second year, Illusions Lighting Design of Sonoma will be transforming the interior of the main auditorium, lounge and dining room with its lighting techniques. It is sure to look amazing and add a new dynamic to the competition floor.

Train Wreck Junction will be back to play with their highly energetic and contagious country sound.

There will be a photo booth, silent auction, food and drinks.

Tickets are available in advance at Steiners Tavern, Town Square, Eraldi’s Menswear, Mary’s Pizza on the Plaza and Blue Moon Saloon, and arealso available online at sonomabarbattle.com. Tickets are $35 in advance and can be purchased until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, or if not sold out, at the door for $40. This event is for age 21 and older.

All the proceeds from the event are split between the Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor #111 and the American Legion Jack London Post #489. These two volunteer groups support many organizations in the community including veterans and active duty military.

The competitors include Burgers & Vine, Town Square, Saddles Steakhouse at MacArthur Place, Centre du Vin at the Ledson Hotel, Rossi’s 1906, Maya, HopMonk Tavern, Blue Moon Saloon, El Dorado Kitchen, Mary’s Pizza Shack on the Plaza, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Steiners Tavern and The Swiss Hotel.

For more information, see the website, sonomabarbattle.com.