A Shot at Glory
The Bar Boss competition inspires the world’s best bartenders to flaunt their flair for $20,000 and be featured in a magazine, all while raising awareness for a meaningful cause.
Cheers, Bartenders!
Let’s raise a glass to the leaders of last call with a chance to win big at a competitive bartending showcase in Nashville, TN, judged by the legendary Jon Taffer and a panel of industry insiders. Public voting will determine the Top 8 Bar Boss hopefuls to mix for the master.
DOLLARS RAISED IN 2023
$2,246,707
BENEFITING
Folds of Honor provides life-changing scholarships to families of disabled military, first responders, and Americaʼs fallen. With over 52,000 educational scholarships awarded since 2007, Folds of Honor empowers people from every walk of life through education and the opportunities it creates. This organization seeks to honor those who protect our freedoms and assure their families that they are not forgotten. Bar Boss is honored to partner with this empowering organization.
Stir In Some Stars
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Jon Taffer
The Judge
Jon Taffer is an award-winning hospitality expert and entrepreneur with nearly 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Best known as executive producer and star of Bar Rescue, he’ll be dropping in on bartenders throughout the competition to encourage, inform, and whip them into shape.
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Ted Danson
The Motivator
Everybody knows his name! Emmy & Golden Globe Award-winning actor Ted Danson rose to stardom on the hit TV show, Cheers, where he played the bartender protagonist of the series. Mr. Danson will be cheering on our bartenders as they flaunt their flair and show off their skills.
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Katelyn
The Coach
A bartender always has a favorite regular, and that’s exactly who Katelyn is in this competition! She’ll be our bartenders’ BFF for the duration of Bar Boss 2024.
Food & Beverage Magazine is the leading resource for industry professionals, food enthusiasts, chefs, restaurateurs, and food and beverage brands. For 20 years, it’s focused on up-to-date industry trends and celebrity features. This year’s Bar Boss will be featured on the cover of an exclusive print edition of F&B Magazine.
Sponsored By
Hiatus Tequila
This is a company who set out to make real tequila traditionally, transparently, and passionately through a family-owned distillery in Mexico. Naturally clean yet complex, ideal for sipping neat or shining in a cocktail: Michael Chandler’s Hiatus Tequila inspires everyone who imbibes to take a break and seek balance with the cleanest and most transparent tequila on the market.
Sponsored By
Owen’s Craft Mixers
Premium award-winning Owen’s Craft Mixers are delicious non-alcoholic drink mixers made with less sugar, real ingredients, and a variety of flavors. Owen’s is vegan, gluten-free, non-alcoholic, and made in the USA. Founders Josh Miller and Tyler Hollard insist on being stubborn about quality, creating a product that complements the finest spirits with a mixer of equal caliber.
2023 Bar Boss
Mirian Dautaj
For nearly 20 years, Mirian has been working the wood and currently calls Drinkology NYC in Queens his ‘home.’ This dapper drink slinger moved to New York City from Albania five years ago with a big dream: to open his own bar. With that dream now accomplished, he can achieve even more as the 2023 Bar Boss.
Master Mixologist
Carlee Carvalko
This Denver bar manager was hand-picked by Bartender Magazine for her cocktail concoction containing Dos Hombres Mezcal (butter-fat washed!) and cornbread simple syrup. The recipe personifies her creativity and passion for the craft. Carlee and her cocktail will be featured in Bartender Magazine.