Stamford magazine hosted its 13th annual Stamford Best Bartender contest at Harbor Point on July 23. During the walk-around tasting event, guests tasted cocktails and food pairings and voted on their favorites, all while enjoying the marina’s waterside views and music by DJ Kunjan. Pairings were also rated by a panel of judges: Raenah Farina, Food Influencer, StamfordFoodie; Jeané Coakley, Reporter, SportsNet News; Scott Burrell, Head Basketball Coach, Southern Connecticut State University and Analyst, YES Network; and Mark Sudol, Anchor/Reporter, News 12 CT. The 2025 winners were Stamford Best Bartender: The Americano; Best “Sip & Snack Pairing”: bartaco; Best “Stamford Spirit”: DiMare Pastry Shop; People’s Choice Stamford Best Bartender: Sign of the Whale; People’s Choice Best “Sip & Snack Pairing”: Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar; and People’s Choice “Stamford Spirit”: Sign of the Whale. More food and beverage tastes were available through event sponsors Silent Pool Gin, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Palmer’s Market. Other event sponsors included R. Hollander Master Goldsmith, Harbor Point and First Bank of Greenwich, with Community Partners Party Line, SP&G: Speed Printing, and Graphics and Media Partner GrubTok.
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- Stamford magazine hosted its 13th annual Stamford Best Bartender contest at Harbor Point on July 23.
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- Meghan Palmer Rivera, CEO, Palmer’s Market; Laura Unterberg, Northeast Brand Associate, Silent Pool Gin; Russ Hollander, Founder, R. Hollander; Raenah Farina, Food Influencer, StamfordFoodie and Contest Judge; Jeané Coakley, Reporter, SportsNet News and Contest Judge; Scott Burrell, Head Basketball Coach, Southern Connecticut State University and Analyst, YES Network and Contest Judge; Mark Sudol, Anchor/Reporter, News 12 CT and Contest Judge; Frank Gaudio, President and CEO, First Bank of Greenwich; and Jonathan Moffly, President, Stamford Magazine and Moffly Media.
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- Team from the 2025 Stamford Best Bartender Winner: The Americano.
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- John Henry, Partner, El Buho Mezcal.
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- Brand Ambassador Richard Lafontant with the display of event sponsor Bulleit Frontier Whiskey.
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- A brand ambassador showcasing Silent Pool Gin.
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- Silent Pool Gin.
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- A bartender making an event cocktail.
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- A bartender from Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse.
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- Cocktails by Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse featuring Planteray Original Dark Rum.
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- Half Full Brewery’s tropical cocktail, Venetian Mariner, won third place.
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- A bartender from Tequila Escape.
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- The Margarita al Pastor from Tequila Escape.
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- Refreshing summer desserts by 2025 Best “Stamford Spirit” Winner: DiMare Pastry Shop.
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- Event cocktails from local venues vying for a win in the “Sip & Snack” contest category.
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- Libélula Tequila was featured in bartaco’s winning pairing for the Best “Sip & Snack Pairing.”
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- An event bartender making cocktails with Silent Pool Gin.
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- Food and beverage pairings for the “Sip & Snack” contest category.
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- Guests enjoyed refreshing Longford’s Ice Cream.
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- The Palmer’s Market team serving Palmer’s Crack Dip.
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- Bartaco’s winning 2025 Best “Sip & Snack Pairing.”
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- Table 104 Osteria & Bar paired canapes with an Aperol Passion cocktail: Aperol, reposado tequila, passion fruit and lemon juice.
Photos by Kyle Norton.
