Martini Madness returns to Sonoma

12 local bartenders and 4 “celebrity” bartenders from around the country will set up stations at MacArthur Place on Friday night for this year’s event.|

New Saddles Restaurant General Manager Brian Richards has never attended Sonoma's famous Martini Madness but he's getting excited to see what all the fuss is about. His staff is hard at work transforming every inch of the property's restaurant, veranda and covered porch into a perfect set-up for the popular annual event. While Gary Saperstein, interim director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau is helping out, this is the first year the competition has been spearheaded by MacArthur Place.

Twelve local bartenders and four 'celebrity' bartenders from around the country will set up stations on Friday night. The celebrity bartenders will each be serving drinks from a branded station but not competing.

'They are a way to add value for everyone who attends,' said Richards. 'These folk are the best of the best.'

The dozen locals will compete to serve the most delicious and creative drink using a martini glass.

'Anything goes inside the glass,' said Richards. Instead of being restricted to drinks with an olive, as in previous years, the bartenders will be able to serve any drink that uses one of four premium spirits. Bacardi is a lead sponsor of this year's event.

The doors at Saddles open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 and the restaurant will be open only for ticket holders.

Saddles staff will be serving eight to 10 rotated small bites.

Attendees will vote for their favorite martinis in a variety of categories including the Best Martini in Sonoma 2018.

Tickets are $65, or $125 including a special three-course Saddles dinner. Twenty-five percent of profits will go to fire relief via redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief. Tickets at macarthurplace.com/saddles/

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