August 2nd, 2024

NEW LOCATION - The Hall @ The Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

Community Event & Professional Competition

Spartanburg Cocktail Masters is a drink tasting event meant to celebrate our growing cocktail scenery. There will be live music, food, raffles, special features for VIP guests, and of course…cocktail/mocktail samples for adults (You must be 21+ to participate in cocktail tastings)! Our judges will anonymously vote on cocktails created by local restaurants while you taste!

2024 Ticket Pricing

Tickets are available online leading up to the event, but you will also be able to purchase tickets at the door via credit/debit card, Venmo, or cash.

General Admission ($25)

5 Tastings (Liquor or Mocktails)

Ultimate Tasting Pass ($50)

15 Tastings (Liquor or Mocktails)

VIP Pass ($100)

15 Tickets/Tastings (Liquor or Mocktails)
Food from Willy Taco, FR8 Yard, and Flock Shop
Commemorative T-shirt & glass
Taste last year’s winning cocktail from Southside Smokehouse

PURCHASE TICKETS

You will be redirected to the SCRLA website, where you will be asked for your contact information prior to purchasing tickets.

Spartanburg Cocktail Masters Benefits Local Non-Profit, Hubitality:

Hubitality provides emergency assistance to hospitality industry employees in Spartanburg County in times of personal crisis. It is our vision to create an inclusive environment with strong community relations for Hub City hospitality employees in critical need.

Learn More About Hubitality

Spartanburg Cocktail Masters Is Brought To You By SCRLA:

The South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Foundation benefits the state’s hospitality industry by providing post-secondary scholarships, industry-related school-to-career programs, and workforce development initiatives.

Learn More About SCRLA

Drink Responsibly

Must be 21+ to Participate

Friday, August 2nd, 2024

The Hall @ Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
385 N Church St, Spartanburg, SC

The 2nd annual Cocktail Masters will take place at The Hall in downtown Spartanburg from 7pm to 9pm. The hall is located UNDER the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium with a lower level entrance. Please bring a valid ID and a designated driver. You must be 21+ years of age to participate in tastings for alcoholic beverages. Rooms will be available at the neighboring Marriott just a block away if needed.

Become A Volunteer!

Benefits:

One free drink pass (5 tastings)
One free t-shirt
Support a local non profit and show your love for local restaurants and businesses

Duties:

Volunteers could be positioned at any of the following stations: Parking, tickets, setup, and breakdown. If you prefer a certain position please let us know when applying.

Arrive at 5:30pm & stay until 10pm.
Must be 21 years of age and show ID
Must wear a designated volunteer t-shirt. Please provide t-shirt size.

What To Expect:

Cocktail Master’s will need help setting up and breaking down tables, vendor booths, sponsor booths, judge’s tables, event signage, and directing traffic. You may also be asked to pass out waters, and other event information.

Please drink responsibly, as you will represent our event’s professionalism.

Above all, we encourage you to HAVE FUN!

To Apply:

Email: Lenza Jolley (SCRLA) – lenza@scrla.org

Please email with the following information:

First / Last Name
Date of Birth
T-shirt Size
Phone Number
Email

*Police officers will be on duty during the event

*Please bring your ID the day of the event or you will not be able to participate / volunteer

Apply To Be A Competitor

Must be TIPS certified.
Setup time will begin at 4:30pm and close at 6:30pm. You will not be allowed to set up if you arrive after 5:30pm.
No power will be provided.
Spots will be given based on a first come, first serve basis.
Bring cocktail ingredients / garnishes to serve 200 sample pours of no more than 2 oz each. *3.5 oz cups will be provided. Titos Vodka / Bourbon will be provided at the event – please arrive early so you can make your cocktails on site before judges begin at 6:30pm.
Competitors must choose between serving a Tequila, Whiskey, or Vodka based cocktail tasting at time of registration.
Bring an Ice/ Cooler/ Cocktail Decanter/ Pitcher for serving.
Bring a display for your table that represents your business & your cocktail. One folding table and black table cloth will be provided. Display is counted in the judging process.
A list of cocktail ingredients in case of allergens is mandatory; this could be incorporated into your display, but must be showing at all times.
Promotional items if desired (no sales).
OPTIONAL: Provide an extra mocktail option to be eligible for the People’s Choice Awards.

What To Expect:

Parking: Parking will be available for unloading; then please plan to move your vehicle to an adjacent parking lot until clean up after the event.

Judging Criteria: A Judges’ Panel Award will be given based on the following criteria:

PRESENTATION: Booth Decoration & Cocktail Appearance
CREATIVITY: Originality & Uniqueness of Drink
BALANCE: Of Taste/ Aroma/ Character
NAME: Relevance & Appeal

5 points possible for each category for a max of 20.

A People’s Choice Award will be given to the competitor whose mocktail drink gets the most votes from the event guests. One vote per guest.

*Acknowledgement: Batch cocktails and garnishes are entered at the participant’s cost. Sales from participants are prohibited.

Application:

Please fill out this online form to be considered.

Premier Sponsor

$5,000

(SOLD)

Logo on drinking glasses with Cocktail Masters logo
Prominent logo placement on t-shirts
Sponsor table at event in prominent location
Shoutout day of the event (must provide description)
Possible personal mic time, company giveaway, and video to play during the event in August
Logo on all marketing materials
10 VIP Passes, 10 Ultimate Tasting Passes, 10 T-shirts, 10 Glasses

Sponsorship Form