The West Loop Shakedown Returns With 15 Bartenders on April 9

On Monday, April 9, The West Loop Shakedown cocktail competition celebrates its fourth year with a return to Randolph Street with East Meets West Loop, bringing together some of the best beverage slingers in the ‘hood for a night of friendly competition featuring Japanese Whisky. At the competition, bartenders from spots including Momotaro, Gideon Sweet, and Bad Hunter will create an original cocktail using Toki Suntory Whisky to showcase during the competition.

Hannibal Buress’s DJ, Tony Trimm, will emcee the event, which will be held at Nellcote from 6-9pm. Although guests are able to try all of the featured cocktails and vote on their favorite, there will also be a panel of judges elected to vote on their favorite cocktail, based on criteria including taste, presentation and creativity.

The cocktail competition, which features bars and restaurants from the West Loop and Fulton Market neighborhoods, began in 2017 with 5 participants. In its fourth year, the shakedown will feature over a dozen bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, as well as Ramen san and Furious Spoon, which will both open later this year.

Tickets are $35 on eventbrite. Attendees will be able to sample every cocktail at the competition and light bites and music will be provided. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Everytown for Gun Safety.

Participants include but are not limited to:

·      Fox Bar at Soho House - Ronald Higgins and Rob Guevara

·      Gideon Sweet –Tim Koenig & Dustin Grilli

·      RM Champagne Salon – Alec Pignotti 

·      Momotaro – Lee Zaremba

·      Fulton Market Kitchen – Sean Giordano 

·      Cold Storage- Marissa Barlow

·      Bad Hunter - Carley Gaskin

·      Ramen san – Francis Nino and Harley O'Grady

·      Furious Spoon – Paulina Echavarri

·      BLVD - Christine Whitley 

·      MoneyGun – Donavan Mitchem

·      Punchbowl Social

·      Waydown at the Ace Hotel