Barate Kid: Canada's ultimate speed bartending tournament
Launched in 2011 by Vancouver bartenders Keenan Hood and David Greig, Barate Kid has quickly become one of Canada’s premier speed bartending tournaments. David has since moved on to other ventures and now Gez McAlpine has stepped in to fill his shoes. Together, Gez and Keenan have made this an event like no other.
Featuring twelve exhilarating rounds of head-to-head, sudden knockout competition, Barate Kid prizes speed, but quality is just as important. Participants are tasked with executing some of the most challenging and popular classic cocktails, with the winning bartender taking home an attractive $5000 cash prize.
Photo: Barate Kid
Renowned bartenders Sam Ross and Micky McIlroy of Attaboy in New York’s Lower East Side are this year’s celebrity guest judges.
Following eight intense semi-final events throughout the city, this year’s finale takes place at Republic on Monday, October 26th at 6:00 p.m. Entry for Barate Kid is by donation, and all proceeds go to Aprons for Gloves, a community boxing program for underprivileged kids.
Photo: Barate Kid
The event has seen a dramatic rise in popularity over the past four years, attracting some of the best bartenders from across the province, as well as attendees from outside the industry who want to be part of the spectacle. So much so that a production house and distribution agency has filmed this year’s competition at each step with the hopes of getting it picked up by a major television network.
So come by and cheer on your favourite bartenders in one of the country’s most exciting bartending competitions. Below is a list of this year’s finalists:
- Adam Domet, Supermarine
- Alex Kagel, 21C Itinerant Bar
- Alfred Siu, The Diamond
- Amber Bruce, The Keefer Bar
- Cam Brown, Kelowna (no affiliation)
- Chris Enns, Revel Room
- Danielle Tatarin, The Keefer Bar
- Dave Simps, Gateway Casino
- Jared Fontaine, The Keefer Bar
- Kyle Guilfoil, Little Jumbo
- Mickey Valens, The Diamond
- Navin Toor, The Keefer Bar
- Nathan Caudle, Little Jumbo
- Rob Scope, Cascade Room
- Robyn Gray, Prohibition
- Thor Paulson, L’Abattoir
Barate Kid 2015
When: Monday, October 26th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Republic, 958 Granville Street
Follow Channels and Categories