The Legends Awards

invite

Saturday, September 24
Location: Sir Francis Drake Ballroom,
450 Powell St., San Francisco

Reception
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Walnut Bar

Dinner and Awards
7:30 - 10 p.m.
Ballroom

Liquor.com presents the
Rémy Cointreau After Party
featuring the SF USBG
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Harry Denton's Starlight Room

Tickets: $175 regular; $200 at the door (includes admission to the After Party)

Recognizing the true innovators, influencers, mentors and historians in the Bay Area, the first annual Legends Awards is an event not to be missed and will pay tribute to bar professionals who have truly raised the bar! In this grand feast for the senses, guests will enjoy a three-course plated dinner by Sir Francis Drake Executive Chef Jennifer Biesty, tableside cocktails paired to each course by the City's best bartenders, with musical performances by the Nick Rossi Trio and sultry burlesque dancing from the Hot Pink Feathers.

After the Awards, head upstairs to the newly renovated Harry Denton's Starlight Room to toast our winners and celebrate with other legends in the industry. Liquor.com presents the Legends After Party sponsored by Rémy Cointreau USA. Featuring the San Francisco United States Bartenders Guild, cocktail creations will include spirits from the premium portfolio of brands including: Rémy Martin V, Mount Gay Rum, Cutty Sark, Brugal Rum, Rémy Martin V.S.O.P, Metaxa, ZU Bison Grass Vodka, Macallan, Cutty Sark, Famous Grouse/ Black Grouse, Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cointreau Orange Liqueur and Cointreau Noir.

Don your best duds for this black tie optional celebration and get ready for an evening of indulgence, revelry and seduction.

The Bay Area bar professionals who will be honored for the roles they have played in San Francisco's cocktail culture in this first annual fête are:

HARRY DENTON
Lifetime Achievement Award – recognizes an individual whose career has forever benefitted the cocktail community. Harry Denton, winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, has been an icon of elegance and revelry in San Francisco for decades. The Starlight Room as well as his eponymous bars always stood for both quality and style. Without Harryʼs commitment to his own business model, many San Francisco bar owners would not have had a bar to emulate. Bravo, Harry, bravo!

JORDAN MACKAY
Scribe Award – recognizes excellence and forethought in beverage journalism. Jordan Mackay, James Beard Award Winner and Wine & Spirits Editor at San Francisco magazine, changed cocktail coverage in the American media while writing for 7x7 magazine. Jordan always fought for an increasing word-count in his columns on spirits and cocktails in the Bay Area, as well as an in-depth feature on his experience behind the bar at Cantina. Many publications and writers across the country follow his work and the Barbary Coast Conservancy of the American Cocktail is proud to award Jordan as our Scribe.

JENNIFER COLLIAU
Trailblazer Award – recognizes entrepreneurial spirit in improving cocktail culture. Bartendress and artisan simple syrup-crafter, Jennifer Colliau is this year's winner of the Trailblazer Award for entrepreneurial endeavor: Small Hand Foods, a line of cocktail syrups designed for pre-Prohibition cocktail quality. Her signature syrups are employed in beverage programs across the country, slung in such delicious cocktails such as the classic Mai Tai, the Jack Rose and the Pisco Punch. Simply the best, Jennifer!

LANCE WINTERS
Renegade Award – recognizes a unique and unparalleled contribution to the beverage industry. Neither the Godfather nor the Freshman amongst American craft distillers, Lance Winters of St. George Spirits is only a Renegade. Wholly committed to distilled spirits as an expression of flavor and aroma, Lance continues to challenge himself and the cocktail community with his offerings: Hangar One Vodka, the Aqua Perfecta eau-de-vies and his latest release: three new St. George Gins. We salute Lance and St. George Spirits with the Renegade Award.

JOHN BURTON
Mentor Award – recognizes dedication to advancing the bartending trade. A stalwart bartender in service of the industry and his customers for more than 50 years (since 1959), John Burton has been a mentor to many of the top bartenders in the Bay Area in various ways. As a founding member of the United States Bartender's Guild and the first California chapter, John has promoted professionalism in the trade, attention to detail and respect for those before us for decades. He continues influencing future bartenders via his continued participation in the Guild and, most notably, in his classes at the Bartender's School of Santa Rosa, which he has owned and operated since 1979. Thank you John, for being a torch bearer of respect for the bartending trade.

Bartenders presenting their cocktails for the evening include:

Partners

Sir Francis Drake Hotel
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