What Is Iron Bartender?

Houston’s premier bartender competition featuring signature cocktails by celebrated bartenders at restaurants and bars across the city.

Each bartender will present a signature “Periwinkle Cocktail” at their bar/restaurant from June 4th thru July 4th. $1 from the sale of each Periwinkle cocktail will be donated to The Periwinkle Foundation. A panel of judges will score the cocktails and the five bartenders with the top scores will compete in the Finals in September. The title of Iron Bartender will be awarded that evening. Guests will cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.

Click the bartender’s picture below to see their Periwinkle Cocktail!

VIP Tables – $2500

Includes reserved table for ten (10) guests with a multi-course seated dinner prepared by guest chefs. The VIP dinner will be served with paired cocktails presented by the five (5) Iron Bartender finalists.

Individual Tickets – $200

Includes seated multi-course seated dinner prepared by guest chefs served with paired cocktails presented by the five (5) Iron Bartender competitors.

Iron Bartender Finalists 2024

Drew Jerdan – Bad News Bar
Humberto Garay – Cuchara
Lynzie Holland – Johnny’s Gold Brick
April Biagas – Refuge
TJ Leibowitz – Winnie’s

IRON BARTENDER 2023 Winners

Iron Bartender Champion – Brandon Choate – Refuge

1^st Runner Up – David Perez – Lei Low

People’s Choice – Rachel McQuity – Winnie’s

Best Seller Award – Drew Bennett – Anvil

Bar Chef Award – Sabrina Poe – Rosewater

Most Creative Cocktail – David Perez – Lei Low

Best Bar Service – Mauro Cisneros – Doris Metropolitan

Who It Benefits

The Periwinkle Foundation, a Houston-based organization that develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital.