On July 28th, 14 Mill Market transformed into the ultimate battleground for mixology with our 1st Annual Bartender Competition, hosted by Wisner Bar and proudly sponsored by Suntory Global Spirits. The event, which was as lively as it was competitive, featured six of the most talented bartenders from the area, each representing their own unique bar and showcasing their creativity with 90’s-inspired cocktails.

The day was scorching hot, but the heat was quickly alleviated by the refreshing boozy sno cones from Snow Boz Plus and throw back tunes from DJ Miguel. The theme, "Back to the 90’s," had everyone reminiscing about their favorite decade, and our bartenders didn't disappoint. The lineup included:



• Miss Boston's with Camry Cowan
• Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar with Jason Moneymaker
• 417 Taphouse with Sayrah Ayuba
• Classic Rocks Complex with Bethany Brown
• Banter Brewing with Jianan Almusai
• Wisner Bar with our very own Logan Hadley

The competition was divided into two thrilling rounds. The first round featured a secret ingredient challenge where Kool-Aid packets were the surprise element. Bartenders had just 15 minutes to whip up five unique cocktails, and the results were nothing short of impressive. Tanja Deleon, our Wisner Bar Manager, hosted this round, and Jason Moneymaker’s inventive tiki-inspired Kool-Aid cocktail earned him the top spot.

The second round was even more exhilarating, as each bartender took the stage to prepare their 90’s-inspired concoctions live. Loren Murrell from Suntory Global Spirits was the host for this round, guiding us through the creative processes behind each drink. The audience and judges alike were captivated by the talent on display. Jason Moneymaker stole the show again with his "Sunny Dreams" Margarita, a nod to Sunny Delight, winning him the grand prize of a Flat Top Cabela’s Gas Grill and a basket full of goodies.

Bethany Brown secured the runner-up position with her "Chandler Bing Thing" Espresso Martini, crafted with Yoo-hoo, while Sayrah Ayuba claimed third place with her delectable "Strawberry Crunch Bar" Cocktail. All of these fantastic drinks will be featured on the Wisner Bar menu until the end of the year, so be sure to come by and give them a try!

The event wasn’t just about cocktails—it was about community. We raised over $1100 for Care to Learn, Nixa Chapter, and had an incredible time connecting with local businesses and friends. It was a day filled with great drinks, fun competition, and plenty of camaraderie.

We’re looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future. Cheers to a fantastic event and a huge thank you to everyone who participated and supported us!