Find out who earns the name of Arizona’s best mixologist at the Tucson Museum of Art Bartender Showdown, set for Saturday, Oct. 18, at Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Avenue. 

Three notable Tucsonans will judge the creations of 12 contestants, featuring both professional and home mixologists. Event goers can expect the 12 to mix, shake and stir the Old Pueblo’s own Whiskey Del Bac into one fabulous concoction.

It’s not just Tucson who will be competing in the showdown. Mixologists are also coming from Scottsdale and Phoenix to prove their worth.

“This cocktail competition is really a reflection of their creativity, their expertise in mixing cocktails,” Arielle DeSoucey, Whiskey Del Bac’s event director, said.

Mixologists will have their choice of which Whiskey Del Bac product they use. They may select from the brand’s Classic American single malt, Dorado American single malt or Sentinel of the Desert Rye or Bourbon, so consider this a 21 and older event. ID will be required.

There are three cash prizes. Abbey Fife, Da’Lice Shepard and Quetzalli “Kelzi” Bartholomaei will decide who wins the coveted Judges Choice award but that’s not the only award given at this event. There’s a People’s Choice award as well. To that end, the mixologists will be stirring the pot with a 1-ounce sip for all present, who will then vote for their favorite. Here’s how it works:


Each mixologist will have their own table to work. Besides making cocktails for three judges, they will also be mixing 1-ounce drinks for guests to try. (Whiskey Del Bac/Submitted)

“All the competitors will have their own tables,” DeSoucey said. “Guests can walk around, meet all the different competitors and sample their cocktails. Upon check-in, each guest will receive a small token and that token will be used for their vote for the People’s Choice.”

Actually, guests will receive three tokens so they can vote for their three faves. At 8 p.m. the voting will end and at 8:30 p.m. the winners will be announced. Things wrap up at 9 p.m.

Four food trucks will be available to provide bites for purchase. They include Ensenada Street Food, Parkie Sandwiches, Muncheez and El Golden Taco. 

Also on tap will be plenty of music. Inside Mooney Hall DJ Half-Perfect will be spinning the platters and outside in the courtyard where the drink action is taking place, Lenguas Largas will be playing their brand of borderlands punk. Their sound is informed by norteño, psychedelic, indie, rock en Español, soul and R&B, with influences that include garage rock and post-punk.

For those who want to see art in action, Art by E (Eric Osborne) will be creating a fine art painting and showing off his work in a trunk show.

Finally, anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol can still participate in the fun. Iconic Cocktail Co. of Phoenix will be running a non-alcoholic cocktail bar

The Tucson Museum of Art Bartender Showdown is a fundraiser so proceeds from ticket sales goes directly to support the museum.

In previous years the event was called Howl and was more of a costume contest. This year the organizers wanted to mix things up so cocktails became the focus. Whiskey Del Bac and Tucson Museum of Art have worked together on this event for years, according to DeSoucey but besides the focus of the event, this year is a little different.


Cost to attend the Tucson Museum of Art Bartender Showdown is $40 with all proceeds directly benefiting the museum. (Whiskey Del Bac/Submitted)

“This year we’re really leaning in on helping the museum raise money for their amazing community work,” she said. “This is a way the community can come together and not only support the museum but support the local mixologists and have a fun night out.”

DeSoucey added that this event has been three months in the works but the work is worth the cause and the result.

“There are so many ways Tucson showcases its art,” Mark Vierthaler, director of operations for Whiskey Del Bac, said. “The Bartender Showdown is an amazing way for us to partner with one of our longest running community partners, while showcasing the artistry of our community’s bartenders and mixologists.”  

The Tucson Museum of Art Bartender Showdown

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

WHERE: Tucson Museum of Art, 

140 N. Main Avenue

COST: Prepurchased tickets cost $40/non-members and $35/members and Club Whiskey Del Bac members. The cost goes up $5 if purchased at the door.

INFO: This is a 21 and older event, ID will be required. To buy tickets or for information, visit bit.ly/42A3cIT