Bartender Spirits Awards announced the participation of Danny Shapiro, Founding Partner at Scofflaw Group, as a judge in the highly anticipated 2024 edition scheduled to take place in Chicago on May 20th, 2024.

Danny, with an impressive background in the food and beverage industry, has been a driving force in the cocktail trade since his relocation to Chicago in 2009. His early career includes notable stints with Boka Group and The Whistler under the mentorship of Paul McGee, where he developed a keen expertise in mixology, with a particular focus on gin.

As a Founding Partner in Scofflaw Group, Danny oversees the beverage programs at popular establishments such as Scofflaw, Slippery Slope, The Heavy Feather, and The Moonlighter. His commitment to delivering genuine hospitality, coupled with an unwavering passion for knowledge and excellence, has garnered recognition from publications such as GQ and The New York Times.

We believe Danny’s presence will undoubtedly contribute to the overall caliber of the event. His extensive experience, business acumen, and notable proficiency in the field make him a valuable addition to the panel of judges for the 2024 edition of the Bartender Spirits Awards.

The 2024 judging panel includes some top names in the US bar industry.

They include:

Renato M. Tonelli - 2023 US Bartender of the Year and Founder at Sustainable Bartender

Charles Joly - World Class Global Bartending Winner and Official Mixologist of the Emmy's and Oscars.

Julieta Campos - Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group, Chicago.

Katie Renshaw - 2019 US World Class Bartender of the Year.

Mike Ryan - Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago.

Trudy Thomas - Corporate Director of Beverage at Southworth Development, Spirits Educator and Mixologist, Nashville.

Abraham Vucekovich - Beverage Director, Meadowlark Hospitality, Chicago, Meadowlark Hospitality.

Guillermo Bravo - Beverage Director at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Chicago.

Chris Barna - Bar Manager at Proof, 2022 Top 50 US World Class 2023 Top 30 US World Class, Charleston.

Elliott Ernst - Country's Top 100 World Class Bartenders and Mixologist, Rockford and more.

Check the full list of judges here.

The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. The result will be a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners, and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments.

If you are a spirits brand anywhere in the world and are looking to grow into the USA’s on-premise channels, Bartender Spirits Awards is the competition that you should enter. Brands are rated by the best in class and real trade buyers with the judging criteria that the bar managers and bartenders use when they buy for their bars.

Brands are encouraged to enter before the early bird deadline of January 31, 2024.

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