Rogers Park Bartender Wins City-wide LGBT Cocktail Competition

Glenwood Bar owner, Renee Labrana on far left, with Petar (Sofo's), Rick (Glenwood) and Jaime (T's)

CHICAGO - A neighborhood tavern located on a cobblestone street on Chicago's far north side seems an unlikely place to produce a top-notch mixologist. But the off-the-beaten path Rogers Park location can be deceiving when it comes to serving fancy drinks.

Rick Nyman, of the Glenwood Bar, located at 6962 N. Glenwood, topped 10 other area bartenders in a "2nd Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge" held Feb. 23rd at Sidetrack in Lake View.  

Each bartender had to impress a panel of four judges in creating three signature drinks: A shot, a regular drink and a martini. Appearance and mixology style were also judged. Local celebrity Miss Foozie was one of the judges, as drag entertainer Teri Yaki MC'd the evening event.

Second place went to David Boyer from Chicago's oldest leather bar, Touche. Touche is also located in Rogers Park. Third place went to Jeffrey Pool, who tends bar at the popular boystown dance club, Circuit. 

Sponsored by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, contestants received bonus points if “Palm” or“Springs” was included in the name or recipe of the signature drink. Rick's Martini was titled "The Desert Palm" which included Patron Silver Tequila, Pama (Pomegranate Liqueur), Grand Marnier, Fresh Lime, Blue Agave Nectar, Splash of Sweet and Sour, rimmed with Agave Nectar and Lime Zest and garnish with a lime wheel.

Nyman will be brought to Palm Springs to compete in a finale on June 2, 2011 against 12 other  bartenders from across the county.