Tobin Ellis, bar consultant and award-winning bartender, led a 60 minute seminar on "Inside Out Bar Design" at this years Nightclub and Bar Show in Las Vegas. Ellis shared his thoughts on a different approach to hospitality design that his company has been an advocate of for more than a decade that takes a "function before form" approach to restaurant and bar design. His company, BarMagic of Las Vegas, designs bars, hotel bars, restaurants, and other hospitality concepts all over the world. Ellis explained to the more than 50 attendees, mostly bar owners and operators from as far off as New Zealand and Australia, some of the key mistakes operators make with architects, general contractors, and interior designers as well as winning strategies for bar design and operational design. BarMagic is currently developing and supervising the construction of three unique beverage concepts in the United States, directly on the heels of opening five more full-service restaurants with fresh beverage programs for a national client in 2012. For more information on BMLV's bar design services, visit our Concept Development page.

BMLV's Tobin Ellis and Kate Gerwin joined with L.A. Mixologist Julian Cox in a seminar during Hawaii Cocktail Week on Bar Design and Operations for the Craft Cocktail Revolution. The trio of experts shared inside tips, strategies and systems they use to manage bars in New Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and beyond. Ellis has been traveling the world speaking on bar design and beverage operations since the late 1990s and continues to be a tastemaker and trendsetter in bar design and high-volume craft cocktail operations. Gerwin, a certified sommelier turned mixologist and bar owner who worked under Helen Turley, joined BarMagic in 2012 and brought her operational experience to the discussion. Together, the duo successfully opened five high-volume restaurants with all-fresh, craft-cocktail beverage programs in three states in just four months span.

BarMagic of Las Vegas will be conducting another in its series of hands-on workshops on Technical Freepouring at Hawaii Cocktail Week this Wednesday, February 20th. BMLV's Tobin Ellis and Kate Gerwin will teach a group of 30 bartenders the age-old but misunderstood art and skill of accurate, fast technical freepouring that has all but shattered the "jigger myth" in the past two years. BMLV are the foremost experts in the world in this technique, having championed it for the past twenty years at a very high level all over the world. Ellis won multiple freepouring competitions at the regional, national and world levels between 1996 and 2005 and is one of the few world mixology champions to have previously worked behind some of the busiest restaurant and nightclub bars in the world including Tavern on the Green on Central Park, Sequoia in Georgetown, and PURE Nightclub in Las Vegas.

BarMagic principal Tobin Ellis and trainer Kate Gerwin will be guest bartending alongside BMLV almun Christian Self during Hawaii Cocktail Week at Thirtynine Hotel this Wednesday evening, making craft cocktails with Kai Spirits that will include a Kai Lychee and Orange Olio Saccrum punch, and a Pandan Coconut Thai Basil Gimlet. Ellis and Self revamped the entire beverage program and nine bars of the famous five-diamond, 233 year old Greenbrier Resort in 2007 and reunited to open the Marriott/Ian Schrager EDITION Hotel in Waikiki in 2010 that featured an all fresh classic and contemporary cocktail program boasting drinks like a deconstructed Pyrat XO Mai Tai and fresh Watermelon-Aperol-Jalapeño Margarita. BMLV was part of a 2011 Hotelchatter.com award for "Best Hotel Opening" for their work at EDITION and went on to open the Istanbul EDITION shortyl thereafter. Self manages the chinatown cocktail and DJ-centric hotspot "Thirtynine Hotel" for which he has pulled down numerous awards including "Best Bartender," "Best Late Night Bar," and "Best Ambiance." Ellis and Self are rumored to be working together again soon on another project in Hawaii, the details of which have not yet been disclosed.

Bar Design expert Tobin Ellis will be speaking and demonstrating the fundamentals of intelligent bar design for three days during the NAFEM show in Orlando, Florida. NAFEM is the largest restaurant equipment show in America held once every two years and features representatives from both restaurant supply companies and major hotel, chain, and casino operators. Ellis has been speaking on bar design for five years and his company has been building, rebuilding and opening successful award-winning bars all over the world since 1997.

It has been a busy summer and fall for the BMLV team as they have traveled the country helping develop, design, program, train, and open eight different bars between July and October, all with fresh cocktail programs. Led by veteran bar consultant Tobin Ellis, the team of seven bar trainers and design specialists opened five full-service restaurants with fresh craft cocktail and craft beer programs in Kentucky, Georgia, and Texas while developing, designing and supervising the construction of three more concepts in Bismarck, North Dakota. BarMagic specializes in high-volume bar design and concept development as well as ongoing management for select clients around the country. BarMagic has been involved in hospitality development and management projects such as these since 1998 all over the world.

BarMagic and Jimmy's of Aspen open the world's smallest speakeasy today during the annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic at Jimmy's Restaurant. The 9x12 space will be the world's smallest bar serving classic cocktails including stirred negronis, French 75s, and other cocktails, all in micro-sized portions. The concept was a collaboration between famed Aspen restaurateur and former barman Jimmy Yeager and BMLV principal Tobin Ellis that was several years in the making. For three nights, a very special list of VIP guests and friends will be given 20 minutes inside the smallest cocktail bar on the planet.

The 2012 Domain de Canton Bartender of the Year West Coast Regional Qualifiers were held today and BMLV's Tobin Ellis rounded out an expert panel of judges that includes Drew Levinson (Wirtz Beverage) and Andrew Pollard (Vesper Bar, Cosmopolitan). Winners of the regional competitions will be flown to St. Maartin to compete in the World Finals and a grand prize of $10,000. Ellis will be emcee'ing the world finals and has been a judge in previous years' competitions.

Legendary barman Gary "Gazz" Regan gave out his annual "Gazzer" awards tonight and BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis was one of this years recipients. Ellis received the award for what Regan described as a long-time dedication to pushing service and showmanship forward while showcasing quality cocktail bartending through his training, guest bartending, and media appearances. Ellis, a long time vocal advocate for the term "bartender" rather than "mixologist" has been teaching and managing bartender training programs that put equal emphasis on multiple disciplines of the craft, not just the recent mixology craze. Ellis believes all bartenders should be trained and experienced in speed, service, mixology, technical freepouring, showmanship, and guest interaction and advocates for his company's style of training that melds them into one style of bartending, rather than focusing on just one approach.

BMLV Principal Tobin Ellis will be presenting a 90-minute workshop at the Andaz Hotel in New York during the 2012 Manhattan Cocktail Classic entitled "Left of Center Beverage Programs." Ellis will share his experience creating award-winning, revenue-generating fresh/craft beverage programs over the last 20 years that includes many slightly off-center, non-traditional strategies and approaches. Ellis has created, revamped and managed successful beverage programs all over the world including at bars inside Caesars Palace, The Mirage, The Greenbrier, EDITION Hotels, and many more.

Tobin Ellis will be both judging and emcee'ing tonight's Miami US qualifier for the 2013 DiSaronno Mixing Star competition. Similar qualifiers are taking place throughout the world to crown the world's most talented bartender both in their ability to craft amazing fresh cocktails and for their presence and personality behind the bar and in front of a crowd. Ellis is no stranger to the concept having won the Mixology Title of the 2005 "Blue Blazer" World Finals that tests bartenders mixology skill and showmanship. Ellis has won numerous titles for both mixology and showmanship over his career as well as having appeared on shows like Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Bar Rescue, Food Network Challenge, and many more. Ellis is the head judge for the US National Competition for "Mixing Star" as well as the event's emcee and will be touring the country for similar qualifiers in Portland, New York, and Los Angeles. The competition culminates in Las Vegas in June where Ellis will be serving as the evening's master of ceremonies at the Palazzo Resort and Casino.

BarMagic's long-running pop-up speakeasy will be popping up in Miami during Rum Renaissance at the pop-up bar "Broken Shaker" run by cocktail impresarios Elad Zvi and Gabe Orta. Ellis and his team will be bringing their signature casual yet energized style of speakeasy culture to one of the newest, most buzzed-about cocktail bars in Miami this Sunday, April 22nd. Social Mixology is the world's first and longest-running pop-up bar, having made appearances in New Orleans, Manhattan, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Hawaii, Miami, and Los Angeles. For more on social mixology visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com.

For the second consecutive year, Tobin Ellis will be serving as an ambassador for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers' Association Convention as well as judging their Iron Mixologist competition, which Ellis won in 2010. Ellis is a 6-time national mixology champion with 22 years experience in bar and beverage operations throughout the world. Ellis's company BarMagic of Las Vegas works with most major spirits suppliers including Pernod-Ricard, Remy-Cointreau, Bacardi USA, The Patron Spirits Company, William Grant & Sons, Dieago, Beam Global, Proximo Spirits, Skyy-Campari, and more.

Industry veteran and celebrated bar consultant Tobin Ellis will be revealing many of his non-traditional strategies to beverage development, bar design, and overall operations at this years' Nightclub & Bar Show in Las Vegas. The one-hour breakout session titled "The Greenbrier Rules" will break down a number of unconventional, counter-intuitive strategies and systems Ellis has created and refined over his career to help operators increase the quality, volume, and profitability of their beverage offerings. Ellis has been traveling the world speaking on the bar industry for more than 15 years and has been featured on ABC, NBC, A&E, Spike, Food Network, Travel Channel, E!, USA, and more for his work in the hospitality industry.

BMLV principal Tobin Ellis joins a panel of industry experts from around the country to speak on the latest trends and developments in high-volume fresh beverage operations at the 2012 Arizona Cocktail Week. Ellis has been managing fresh programs since 1998 all over the united states and speaks frequently about the specific inner workings of creating, rolling out, and managing profitable beverage programs that have a fresh, culinary focus. Ellis has also spoken on beverage operations and trends recently at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, Tales of the Cocktail, Portland Cocktail Week, Nightclub & Bar Expo, and many more.

22-year bartending veteran and 6-time Nat'l Mixology title holder Tobin Ellis, has been traveling America once again sharing the secrets of the 30 year old skill of Technical Freepouring. Ellis has conducted his 3 hour workshops that teach bartenders the indisputable most accurate and fastest way to accurately pour cocktails in cities that include Chicago, Portland, Las Vegas, and Aspen with plans to take the class to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and beyond. Despite the current fad of relying on jiggers, Ellis is leading the charge to show this younger generation of bartenders/mixologists who have mistakinly been taught the jigger is the end-all-be-all of portion control that jiggers are actually slower, more inaccurate, and less professional than learning the age-old art and science behind the skill of Technical Freepouring. If you would like to increase top line sales, significantly lower pour cost, and empassion your entire bar staff in one day, contact BMLV to schedule a Technical Freepour Training Class today. Just click on the 'RFQ' link at the bottom of the page and submit your request today. It will change your bar for the better, forever. Guaranteed.

BarMagic of Las Vegas spent three months developing, training, and opening the new 8,000 square foot Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer at the Excalibur Resort in Las Vegas. Creating a menu of fresh whiskey/whisky based cocktails and a whimsical shot menu that includes "Jack Pickle Backs" and "White Trash Weddings" took three months of R&D, sampling, training, and certification in the union environment for a bar staff of 20 young women. Despite the name, LS sells a lot more than beer. BMLV's program includes Japanese Whisky, four kinds of vermouth, 7 types of bitters, 3 types of ice cubes, and fresh fruit ranging from blackberries and jalapeños to apricots and fresh basil. This is the third fresh, high-volume program BarMagic has developed and rolled-out for the Vegas-based "DriveThis! Entertainment" company that also owns and operates outlets at Mirage, Luxor, and Caesars Palace including Casa Fuentes Cigar and Cocktail Bar, Tacos & Tequila, and Rhumbar. BMLV rolled out its first program in Vegas at Caesars Palace in 2000 at Shadow Bar, now in its 13th year of profitable operations.

BarMagic of Las Vegas's Tobin Ellis returned to the famous nightclub he opened back in 2004 at Caesars Palace, PURE, for an evening of fresh, bespoke cocktails served via BMLV's one-of-a-kind "Cocktail Assembly Line" made completely of ice. Ellis and his team of world-champion mixologists and flair bartenders have pioneered and perfected a style of service that allows his company to provide fresh, impeccable cocktails served with style and fun for groups of up to 5,000 at a time. BMLV has been providing this unique cocktail experience for more than a decade to clients including Microsoft, JP Morgan, Toyota, Ford and many more.

Tobin Ellis will be traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada for the remainder of 2011 training staff, appearing in the media, demonstrating cocktails, and holding special events on behalf of major spirits brands. Scheduled stops include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Vancouver, Honolulu, Scottsdale, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Miami, Las Vegas and more. The 22-year bar veteran and bartending icon is also designing, overhauling and opening bars in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and cities throughout America. For more information on availability and bookings, visit the RFQ page.

BarMagic of Las Vegas principal Tobin Ellis has been throwing a series of underground pop-up cocktail parties around the United States since 2009 featuring the best cocktail bartenders from all over the world. This summer events included parties in Manhattan, Aspen, New Orleans, and Las Vegas with more scheduled this fall in San Francisco, Portland, and more. Visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com for more information.

Bar & Beverage consultant and bartending veteran of 22-years Tobin Ellis has one of his designer cocktails featured in the Food & Wine 2011 Cocktails book put out by Food & Wine Magazine. The Appletta, designed for Scot Conan's Scarpetta fall cocktail menu in Manhattan features Leblon Cachaça, Apple Cider, Basil, and Lemon. Ellis' drinks have won accredited national and international awards for more than 12 years. For more information on BMLV's services in drink design, visit this page of barmagic.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas served more than 600 fresh Ron Zacapa welcome cocktails for the 2011 Las Vegas Taste of the Nation Charity Event held at Rain @ The Palms this evening. The event benefits "No Child Hungry," which aims to end childhood hunger in America. Taste of the Nation features top chefs and mixologists from around the nation who donate their time and talents for guests to sample their culinary and cocktail creations, all for a great cause. Tobin Ellis led a team of 8 who served the "Orchard Above the Clouds" (Ron Zacapa, Apple Cider, St. Germain, Fresh Lemon, Basil, Whiskey Barrel Bitters, Cinnamon) on BMLV's signature "Ice Assembly Line" spanning 60-feet and able to serve more than 400 fresh cocktails per hour, assembly line style. This is the second year BMLV has been asked to provide the official welcome cocktail for the Las Vegas Taste of the Nation event, which is coordinated by a committee led by Wynn/Encore's Jen LaSala (La Cave), Carlos Guia (Country Club), and Stephanie Levinson (Parasol).

BMLV's Tobin Ellis will be spending the week in New York during the 2011 Manhattan Cocktail Classic involved with a series of evening events including the Opening Gala, pouring Appleton cocktails with Willy Shine of Contemporary Cocktails on Friday evening, throwing an edition of his company's pop-up speakeasy party "Social Mixology" in Chinatown on Sunday, MC'ing and organizing the 2011 Mixfits Royal Rumble Charity Bartender Competition at 1534 on Monday with Steve Olson and Aisha Sharpe. Ellis, who grew up in Rochester, NY is currently on a 6-month international appearance and consulting tour that began with the South Beach Food & Wine Classic in Miami and ends with the Aspen Food & Wine Classic in June and also includes multiple stops in Miami as well as in Orlando, St. Maartin, Aruba, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

BarMagic's Tobin Ellis was invited by organizers of the 2011 Rum Renaissance as a special guest of the event and will be spending the week involved with various events including providing the welcome cocktail for the official Opening Party on Wednesday, pouring his "Boombastic" punch at the Pig & Pork Party Friday at the Mondrian Pool hosted by Contemporary Cocktails, Inc.; and organizing and MC'ing the 2011 'Bamboo Bartender' Competition at the Deauville Beach Resort during Rum Renaissance.

BMLV's Tobin Ellis shared top honors with DonQ Rum's Esteban Ordonez to win the 2011 Rum Renaissance "Zombie Jamboree" Cocktail competition with his riff off the 1950's Esquire recipe combining Ron Zacapa, DonQ Cristal, Plantation Overproof, and J. Wray & Nephew overproof Rums with homemade apricot preserves, a lemongrass & clove syrup, fresh lemon, pineapple, papaya, and Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Bitters. This is Ellis' sixth national cocktail/mixology title.

BarMagic's Tobin Ellis was invited by the organizers of the 68th Annual Wholesale Wine & Spirits Association's Annual Convention as a special guest after winning the 2010 WSWA Call for Cocktails Competition in Las Vegas. Ellis helpd train and coordinate the beverage service for the opening Skyy/Maxim Party and then Judged the Iron Mixologist Competition the following day MC'ed by fellow Las Vegas cocktail icon, Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist.

Tobin Ellis will be presenting a seminar entitled "The Greenbrier Rules: Shattering the Dated Myths of Beverage Operations" this Wednesday March 9th from 2-3pm at the Nightclub & Bar Show & Expo in Las Vegas in room N115. Join Tobin as he shares insights of 20+ years developing and retooling beverage programs for hotels, casinos, multi-units, high-profile nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and more. Discover some of the most common misconceptions and more importantly solutions to outdated models specifically tailored towards fresh high-volume beverage programs that have helped earn Ellis' company 4 Epicurean awards for his clients beverage programs in Las Vegas including "Best Hotel Bar" and "Best Cocktails."

Tobin Ellis led a cocktail party for Frontgate's "Outdoor Couture" hosted by Gail Simmons during the 2011 South Beach Food & Wine Classic at the fabled Eden Roc Resort this evening, assisted by Wynn's Darby Kelly. The duo executed Ellis' menu of fresh, contemporary classics for a crowd of 200 F&W VIPs on the beach. The menu included Macchu Pisco, Hudson Corn Whiskey, Zacapa Rum, and Tyku Sochu & St. Germain cocktails. Ellis also conducted a staff training on latin-american classics including the Caipiringa, Mojito, Daiquiri, and Hemingway Daiquiri.

Join us as the Social Mixology train collides with BMLV's annual Repeal Day party. Details including password will be posted to the Social Mixology site, register here for details: www.socialmixologyvegas.com

Join us Wednesday, November 10th as Tobin Ellis and Michael Voltaggio bring a hush-hush Social Mixology "cocktail drive-by" to Honolulu, Hawaii at the Waikiki EDITION Hotel's private Sunset Beach from 5-7pm. The duo will be serving drinks for local friends, colleagues, USBG members, and VIP guests as the sun sets on Waikiki Beach at the brand new Ian Schrager/Marriott Boutique hotel. Michael and Tobin first worked together opening Voltaggio's 5-star gastronomy-centric restaurant at The Greenbrier in 2007. Since then Voltaggio went on to win Season 6 of Top Chef; and the two have worked events together including a Haiti Relief fundraiser in LA earlier this year that raised $30,000 for the Foyer de Sion orphanage.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis and Christian Self in collaboration with John Lermayer opened the Waikiki EDITION today, launching an all-fresh classic and contemporary cocktail program spanning three bars and one nightclub. The EDITION is an Ian Schrager/Marriott brand opening soon in Istanbul, Barcelona, Miami, New York, Bangkok and beyond. In total, Ellis and the team trained more than 75 staff on classic and contemporary mixology, high-volume technical bartending, fine spirits, five-star service standards as well as putting all bar systems and controls in place. Ellis personally supervised the opening of Ian Schrager's first nightclub since the Palladium and Studio54 at the EDITION: Crazybox. The grand opening celebration is slated for the end of October.

BMLV's Tobin Ellis will be speaking and bartending again at this year's Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, Louisiana. The week of July 20-26 Ellis will moderate and speak on three panels covering subjects ranging from the psychology of service to the ins and outs of being a professional consultant. Ellis will also be pouring cocktails at several events during the event including at the Plymouth Bartenders' Breakfast. For more information visit http://www.talesofthecocktail.com

BMLV's John Hogan and Tobin Ellis joined the cocktail elite this week for the 28th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado pouring the Basiado on behalf of Leblon Cachaça. The dynamic and demented duo gave LEBLON owner Steve Luttman and Director of Marketing and National Events Jaime Keller a crash-course in bartending under the tents where thousands of this culinary spin on the classic Caipirinha were poured for attendees. Besides putting the two New York based LEBLON big wigs through BarMagic Bootcamp, they poured many a Basiado themselves both at the tents and also at a special appearance at Jimmy Yeager's legendary bar and restaurant of the same name. The Basiado is a fresh cucumber-lemongrass-cilantro caipirinha topped with a coconut foam. Rumor has it the two staged an impromptu Social Mixology event in Aspen as well, for the second year in a row. We'll never tell.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' wildly popular traveling speakeasy will be popping up in Las Vegas, Miami, and Aspen this and next month at events to be announced via the facebook group and the private website, www.socialmixologyvegas.com. Now in it's second year, Social Mixology is the world's first and only traveling pop-up cocktail speakeasy that features some of the world's top cocktail bartenders mixing up fresh classic, vintage, and contemporary cocktails with ice off the block, homemade tinctures, bitters, tonics, and sodas... all featuring craft artisan spirits. Plus it's fun. Seriously. Later.

BarMagic of Las Vegas joined forces with five Top Chef cheftestants in Los Angeles at a private charity dine-around and cocktail party benefitting the Sion de Foyer orphanage in Haiti. Led by BarMagic's Tobin Ellis, Christian Oldan and Amanda Gager poured fresh, specialty cocktails while chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, Ilan Hall, Marcus Vignernon, and Antonia Lafoso cooked and served an amazing spread of culinary treats for approximately 150 guests. The evening raised more than $35,000 for the orphanage which looks after 200 children in Haiti. The event was sponsored by Azunia Tequila and supported by Sailor Jerry Rum, Leblon Cachaça, Monin Syrups, and Aperol Liqueur.

BarMagic of Las Vegas will host its final party of the year this Tuesday December 29th as part of the highly-touted Social Mixology series– Las Vegas' (and possibly the worlds) first and only traveling speakeasy. Social Mixology is a celebration of cocktail culture and Las Vegas nightlife featuring a different artisan spirit each month showcased in rotating fresh vintage, classic, and contemporary cocktails made by the BMLV team. BMLV is led by 3-time national bartending champion Tobin Ellis and regular Food Network guest. The Tuesday night party moves to a new secret location each week to keep the underground vibe alive in a town where great parties are often overrun by camera-carrying tourists. Social Mixology features all fresh cocktails ranging from pre-prohibition classics like the Martinez to gastro-molecular original creations like the Bacon-washed Tuaca "Gentleman's Breakfast" as well as ice off the block, housemade tonics, bitters, syrups, tinctures, and more. The music is non-cmmerical DJ-driven and there are constant surprises including guest celebrity bartenders from around Las Vegas and the country. Past guests include Naren Young, Charlotte Voisey, Tony Abou-Ganim, Dale DeGroff, Drew Levinson, Gaston Martinez, Jim Ryan, and more. Social Mixology has been hosted at local off-strip cocktail bars like Nora's Cuisine as well as some of the most high-profile properties on the Las Vegas Strip including The Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas. To find out where the next event is held, see photos from past events, and find out the weekly password, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com or search "Social Mixology" on facebook.

BarMagic of Las Vegas's Tobin Ellis and John Hogan were on hand at the Langham Resort to make cocktails in celebration of Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio on the night of the show's finale. Voltaggio first worked with the BMLV team in 2007 hosting a cocktail-paired dinner for the Greenbrier Advisory BOard in May of 2007 and later opening Voltaggio's signature restaurant at the legendary 5-diamond Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Hogan & Ellis served five cocktails for the invitation-only VIP crowd: a classic Plymouth Negroni, Hendrick's & Outlaw Brown Tonic, Leblon Zamboni (Cachaça Negroni), Spiked Tea (Maker's Mark, Fresh Iced Tea, Lemon Espuma), and the award-winning Leblon Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaça, St. Germain, Apricot-Fig Jam, Peychaud Bitters, Lemon Espuma, Apricot Coulis, Cardamom Dust). BarMagic credits friend and acclaimed chef Voltaggio for teaching them molecular techniques in 2007.

For the second straight year, BarMagic of Las Vegas has held the official Plymouth Gin Repeal Day Celebration. This year's event began with a VIP invitation-only cocktail-paired or "Spirited" dinner at ENVY Steakhouse at the Renaissance Hotel featuring Tuaca and Woodford Reserve Cocktails. Afterwards, BMLV held a Social Mixology Repeal Day party featuring vintage, classic, and contemporary Plymouth and Plymouth Sloe Gin cocktails in a private room at FIRST Food & Bar at The Palazzo that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. The event included a 4-piece jazz band, burlesque dancers, ice-off-the-block and special guest mixologist John Hogan who flew in From Annapolis to surprise the local crowd. Plymouth Sloe Gin is not available in Nevada and BMLV was issued the only case Las Vegas will see all year.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis is one of three judges on the second season of lxtv/NBC's "On the Rocks: The Search for America's Top Bartender" sponsored by Absolut Vodka. The reality competition follows eight top bartenders from around the United States who are competing for $100,000 in Las Vegas. The show airs Nov 7th, 14th, and 21st right after Saturday Night Live on most NBC stations. Ellis was part of the behind the scenes crew on last year's season one, which was won by Las Vegas' own Amanda Gager. Gager was also a judge this season along with the indescribable Fabrizio Brienza, who also judged last season. The three 30-minute episodes will be available in HD online as well at lxtv.com/ontherocks.

Las Vegas' first and only traveling speakeasy, Social Mixology, has landed back in Las Vegas after a summer of traveling the country. Register with Social Mixology today and receive access to this coming Tuesdays' underground event featuring including the exact location and password for entry.

The Las Vegas traveling speakeasy Social Mixology returns home this coming Tuesday, September 22, 2009 with fresh classic and culinary cocktails featuring a new spirit, created by BarMagic of Las Vegas. To find out the exact time and location, log onto the Finca Vigia, the virtual speakeasy at socialmixologyvegas.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' John Hogan and Tobin Ellis took 1st place in the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Barmade Bitters competition sponsored by TRU Spirits this past Sunday in New Orleans. Selected from hundreds of entries months ago, the field was narrowed to the best 15 homemade cocktail bitters, including Hogan & Ellis' English Lavender & Spice bitters. A blend of cinchona, cardamom, chamomile, wild organic lavender, English cucumber, sage, and all-spice– the duo's bitters won the spice category and will be bottled and sold around the United States in the near future. The process of making the winning bitters began last year in October, when the Las Vegas beverage consultants began making single-spice tinctures which they maticiously blend by palate, to create the final product. Winners in the other two categories including Baked Big Apple bitters by Marshall Atlier (Fruit) and Swedish Bitters by Adam Seger (Herb). The competition was judged by Livio Lauro (USBG President), Allen Katz (Slow Food USA), John Deragon (PDT) and TRU Spirit owners Litty and Melkon. 

Tobin Ellis (BMLV) and Andrew Pollard (Noir Bar) won the USBG National Finals of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Leblon Caipirinha competition representing Las Vegas, tonight at Pat O'Briens in New Orleans. BMLV's cocktail was the Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaca, St. Germain, Apricot & Fig Preserves, Peychaud Bitters, Apricot Nectar – topped with fresh lemon espuma and garnished with cardamom dust and an apricot coulis.) Andrew's cocktail was the El Calor de Brasil (The Heart of Brazil made with Leblon Cachaça, Homemade Jalepeno Syrup, Fresh Lime juice, Tangerine Juice, Basil, and Pineapple).  Kristen Schaefer, Tobin Ellis, and John Hogan prepared the Sao Paolo Flip for an expert panel of judges and a global industry crowd of 300 that included Dale Degroff, Gaston Martinez, Drew Levinson, Bobby "G" Gleason, Phil Raimondo, Brian Loukmas, Alex Velez, Eddie Perelez, and many more industry heavyweights. Bartenders from nine U.S. cities (including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Miami, New York and Washington D.C.) submitted recipes months go and 18 finalisst (two from each city) were selected to compete in the finals. Last year's winner Tad Carducci won this years' "People's Choice" award with his contemporary Caipirinha that featured Indian spices.

At this year's Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans 25 Spirited Dinners will be held on Thursday July 9th but only one will feature a "Founders Table" with special guests Ann and Paul Tuennerman and Dale and Jill DeGroff. BMLV's John Hogan, Kristen Schaefer, and Tobin Ellis will be again conducting what was a sell-out event last year for 106 people at The Pelican Club.  Each course of celebrated New Orleans chef Richard Hughes will be paired with a custom fresh cocktail, see the menu for details. Reservations are $100 per personand include all food and cocktails, while still available. 21 and over only with proper ID. For reservations call The Pelican Club at 504-523-1504. Cocktail reception begins promptly at 8pm on Thursday July 9th. Tales of the Cocktail is an annual event held in New Orleans celebrating the history and art of the cocktail. For more information and tickets to Tales, visit www.talesofthecocktail.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis will be making cocktails on the Martha Stewart "Living Today" radio program on Sirius/XM this Friday June 5th at 1pm PST/4pm EST. Ellis will be making and explaining four fresh cocktails all themed around the idea of Twisted Summer Classics. The four drinks he will be making include homemade ingredients combined with craft spirits and fresh fruits and vegetables. For recipes, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com and register for access. Ellis is filling in during a Las Vegas taping of the show for regular cocktail host Allen Katz, Mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Social Mixology program was the subject of a feature article in May's Tasting Panel Magazine. Social Mixology is a weekly celebration of Las Vegas cocktail culture that showcases a different hand-crafted spirit and a different Las Vegas cocktail bar each month. The weekly party features an all-fresh cocktail program with classic and contemporary cocktails, ice-off-the-block, guet bartenders/mixologists, and DJ-spun music. This month the feature spirit is Corzo Tequila. For information, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Kristen Schaefer appears in this month's Tasting Panel Magazine in an article about the 2009 Domaine de Canton Bartender of the Year Competition held recently in St. Maarten. Schaefer was one of 12 US finalists selected out of thousands who began the competition in 2008. She went on to qualify for the national finals after winning the Southwest regional held in Los Angeles in early 2009 with her cocktail, the Sunseri Fizz.At the finals in St. Maarten, Schaefer competed with the Samba Swizzle, which is on the menu at Rhumbar in Las Vegas.

The Social Mixology Tour begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at the Red Room Saloon (3101 W. Sahara Avenue) with a guest appearance by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim AKA “The Modern Mixologist,” who will be manning the customized Leblon Cachaça Caipirinha bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. There, Tony will create fresh, signature Caipirinhas for guests using a pantry of seasonal fruits, exotic spices and savory herbs. Social Mixology now in its second month, features artisan spirits and fresh cocktails showcased by some of Las Vegas' (and the world's) top bartender, mixologists, and chefs including Drew Levinson, Athony Alba, Gaston Martinez, Charlotte Voisey, Kristen Schaefer, Jim Ryan, John Hogan, Alek Velez, Tobin Ellis and more. Social Mixology is a BMLV event in conjunction with Wirtz Beverage of Nevada and the Nevada Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild. For more information, read the full article at The Las Vegas Weekly.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Kristen Schaefer was on Fox-5 TV's MORE Show today making Rhum cocktails developed by BMLV for Rhumbar at The Mirage. Schaefer, who is lead bartender/bar manager at Rhumbar demo'd the Rhumbar Mojito and Spanish Trampoline along side Rhumbar  managing partner Michael Frey. The video and recipes are available online at Fox-5 News. This is Schaefer's second TV appearance, the first was in 2008 when she appeared with Tobin Ellis on Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay: Rematch on the Grill where Shaefer and Ellis bested Flay's Pineapple Mojito with their Dos Cubanos, a fresh mango and habanero daiquri topped with a smoked mojito foam.

This month's Imbibe magazine has a feature article on smoked cocktails, and BMLV's John Hogan is featured in the 3-page spread with his thoughts on smoking techniques as well as a recipe for one of BarMagic's smoked cocktail features, the Smoked Riveria. One of Hogan's signature techniques is to smoke water using nothing more than hickory chips and a weber barbeque, then using that water to create smoked ice cubes and smoked fresh mixers. Hogan has also been on the cover on Nightclub & Bar and had feature write-ups about his work in Capitol File and several other DC publications over his 18-year career behind the bar.
 

BarMagic of Las Vegas opened Rhumbar at The Mirage Resort & Casino today under the leadership of BMLV's Kristen Schaefer. The cocktail and cigar bar features a healthy selection of Rhum Agricoles, Aged Rums, Cachaças, Pisco, and other select spirits and liqueurs including Castries, Veev, and Domaine de Canton. BMLV's John Hogan and Tobin Ellis designed the cocktail program and conducted the staff training last month. But the majority of the operational planning and opening duties were handled by BMLV's Kristen Schaefer who shares her time between BarMagic and the parent company of Rhumbar, DriveThis! Entertainment where she has been appointed corporate bar trainer and lead bartender at Rhumbar. The all-fresh cocktail program includes the requisite Rum classics (1944 Mai Tai, Hemingway Daiquri, Mojito, Zombie, and Scorpion Bowl) as well as some BarMagic signature cocktails and orginal drink features like the runaway top-selling "Spanish Trampoline," a revamp of the winning cocktail on Food Network Challenge (Tangerine Mojave) now made with Sagatiba Cachaça. Also on the menu is the cocktail Schaefer made during the Domain de Canton Bartender of the Year finals in St. Maarten, the Samba Swizzle. DriveThis! Entertainment is a joint client of High Spirits Enterprises and BarMagic of Las Vegas and operates Casa Fuentes at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops, Tacos & Tequila at The Luxor, and Rhumbar at The Mirage. DriveThis! partner Michael Frey also has interests in Montecristo Rum and Freyboy Cigars/Cigarbox. Read the Las Vegas Weekly review of Rhumbar and the Daily Fiasco review of Rhumbar's top-selling specialty drink, the Spanish Trampoline.

BMLV launches Social Mixology in Las Vegas this week with a premier party for Hendrick's Gin at a local boutique hotel. Social Mixology is a weekly celebration of cocktail culture in Las Vegas and will feature a different artisan spirit each month as well as fresh, gourmet cocktails served by BMLV staff along side the hotel's bartenders. The premiere party included an ice station with fresh ice off the block, two satellite bars, a VIP tableside globe bar, and a speakeasy library bar that required a password for entry. Behind the wood(s) were WG&S Brand Champion Charlotte Voisey, Hendrick's Gin Brand Ambassador Jim Ryan, Wirtz Beverage Mixologist Drew Levinson, Milagro Brand Ambassador Gaston Martinez, USBG Vice President Anthony Alba, Progressive Bar Las Vegas' Alex Velez, BMLV's Kristen Schaefer, John Hogan, Amanda Gager, and Tobin Ellis. The all-star team of bartenders served a range of Hendrick's features for the high-profile crowd that included Tony Abou-Ganim, Bobby "G" Gleason, Ryan Magarian, Diego Loret De Mola, Gardner Dunn, Danny Ronin, Xania Woodman, and many other industry influencers from Las Vegas and around the country.

The Social Mixology Tour begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at the Red Room Saloon (3101 W. Sahara Avenue) with a guest appearance by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim AKA “The Modern Mixologist,” who will be manning the customized Leblon Cachaça Caipirinha bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. There, Tony will create fresh, signature Caipirinhas for guests using a pantry of seasonal fruits, exotic spices and savory herbs. Social Mixology now in its second month, features artisan spirits and fresh cocktails showcased by some of Las Vegas' (and the world's) top bartender, mixologists, and chefs including Drew Levinson, Athnony Alba, Gaston Martinez, Charlotte Voisey, Kristen Schaefer, Jim Ryan, Alek Velez, Tobin Ellis and more. Social Mixology is a BMLV/Wirtz Beverage event in association with the Nevada Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild. For more information, read the full article at

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The Social Mixology Tour begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at the Red Room Saloon (3101 W. Sahara Avenue) with a guest appearance by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim AKA “The Modern Mixologist,” who will be manning the customized Leblon Cachaça Caipirinha bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. There, Tony will create fresh, signature Caipirinhas for guests using a pantry of seasonal fruits, exotic spices and savory herbs. Social Mixology now in its second month, features artisan spirits and fresh cocktails showcased by some of Las Vegas' (and the world's) top bartender, mixologists, and chefs including Drew Levinson, Athnony Alba, Gaston Martinez, Charlotte Voisey, Kristen Schaefer, Jim Ryan, Alek Velez, Tobin Ellis and more. Social Mixology is a BMLV/Wirtz Beverage event in association with the Nevada Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild. For more information, read the full article at

The Las Vegas Weekly

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The Social Mixology Tour begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at the Red Room Saloon (3101 W. Sahara Avenue) with a guest appearance by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim AKA “The Modern Mixologist,” who will be manning the customized Leblon Cachaça Caipirinha bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. There, Tony will create fresh, signature Caipirinhas for guests using a pantry of seasonal fruits, exotic spices and savory herbs. Social Mixology now in its second month, features artisan spirits and fresh cocktails showcased by some of Las Vegas' (and the world's) top bartender, mixologists, and chefs including Drew Levinson, Athnony Alba, Gaston Martinez, Charlotte Voisey, Kristen Schaefer, Jim Ryan, Alek Velez, Tobin Ellis and more. Social Mixology is a BMLV/Wirtz Beverage event in association with the Nevada Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild. For more information, read the full article at

The Las Vegas Weekly

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Social Mixology pops up twice in December in Las Vegas:

1. Our 3rd annual repeal day celebration Sunday December 5th at Herbs & Rye on Sahara. Authentic period attire is strongly suggested. Google "Boardwalk Empire" for ideas. Star Costumes on Valley View at DI has great 3-day rentals. More details including time, password and more to follow, stay tuned.

2. Celebrate the Chairman of the Board's birthday with us Sunday December 12th as we honor Vegas' Legend of Legends, Frank Sinatra. Men in jackets, ties, and hats; ladies in dresses and heels. As always, exact location, password, etc. are kept quiet until days before the event. Stay tuned.

SMX events are 21 and over with proper ID.