2026 Battle of the Bartenders Round 1 is in the Books!
An event every week that begins at 6:30 pm on Monday, repeating indefinitely
Battle of the Bartenders 2026: Mathew Wins First‑Round Tiebreaker in Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea
Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea, CA — The 2026 Battle of the Bartenders opened Monday night with a dramatic first‑round showdown at The Links Club in Carmen Plaza, where Matthew Salazer of Links Club emerged victorious over Tomas Casas Ramirez of Barmel after a blindfolded tiebreaker.
The three‑round contest tested creativity, technique and improvisation. Round One featured an open-preference challenge. Tomas introduced “Pour Sippin’,” a rum-based cocktail, while Matthew presented “The Tipsy Tourist,” an original creation utilizing Lalo Blanco tequila. Round Two required bartenders to work with a specified flavor profile of Absolute Tabasco infused vodka. Tomas responded with “Sweat it Out,” a bold take on a Bloody Mary; Mathew countered with “Dill it a Double” a vodka cocktail featuring lemon, cucumber and dill. The final round was a surprise challenge — each competitor had to build a cocktail using Jameson and a pantry of mixers. The panel of judges declared the contest tied after regular judging, sending the finalists to a blindfolded tiebreaker in which Mathew prevailed, two‑to‑one.
“The energy in the room was electric,” said a Battle producer, April Montgomery. “Both bartenders pushed boundaries and showcased what modern craft bartending is all about. Congratulations to Matthew on a well‑earned win.”
Upcoming rounds and ticketing
– The next Battle of the Bartenders face‑off takes place Monday, March 9 at The Links Club in Carmel Plaza. Matty Caseiro from 7th & Dolores will compete against Liz Brown from Il Fornaio. This battle is Sponsored by Whistle Pig Whiskey.
– Tickets are available for $35 online at www.linksclubgolf.com and for $45 at the door the night of the event Guests receive 6 tastings of the drinks, curated snacks at the event and the chance to vote for their favorite bartender each round.
– The Carmel-by-the-Sea championship will be held Monday, March 16 at The Links Club; and sponsored by Teely Whiskey. The champion will advance to the Grand Championship in November.