Bartender’s Circle Summit -
MONDAY
9:30
AM
DOORS OPEN
Morning Wake Up
Wake up with a coffee from Liberty Bar & The Pathfinder.
10:30
AM
LOFT 2
Science of a Good Shake: Shaking Things Up in the Bar World
Join Anu Apte and Rylee Cotey for an engaging and interactive session that explores the science behind crafting the perfect shake. The session will have a brief hands-on demonstration with a few guests invited to the front. After the demonstration, the conversation will shift to how to keep things interesting at your home bar, during events, and at your bar by “shaking things up!”
The discussion will also cover strategies for revitalizing beverage programs—whether you’re a bartender, bar manager, or owner. Participants will learn how to approach their teams and have conversations with managers about refreshing and innovating the menu to keep things fresh and exciting.
Presented by:
Anu Apte (bio)
Canoe Ventures
Rylee Cotey (bio)
Canoe Ventures
LOFT 3
Rolling Out a New Cocktail Menu: Creativity, Feasibility, and Profitability
In this engaging seminar, Connor Welsh, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in the beverage industry, will guide attendees through the process of creating a new cocktail menu that balances creativity with practicality and profitability. The session will explore essential elements of cocktail menu design using the B.L.E.N.D. framework—Balance, Logistics, Engagement, Numbers, and Deliciousness. Participants will walk through a hands-on example of a successful cocktail menu, covering everything from ingredient sourcing and preparation to staff training and scaling recipes.
Connor will also dive into critical considerations like cost control, labor efficiency, and the importance of tracking menu performance through POS data. Whether you're a bartender, bar manager, or owner, this seminar will provide actionable insights for designing and launching a standout menu that meets both guest expectations and business goals. Attendees will leave with the tools to create a menu that’s not only innovative but also feasible and profitable.
Presented by:
Connor Welsh (bio)
Spec App
Product Manager
Sponsored by:
11:30
AM
GRAB & GO SESSIONS
Sample these spirits and talk with their representatives in the lobby.
EMERGING BRAND TALK
Meet the maker and learn about this emerging brand.
12:00
PM
LUNCH & LEARN SESSION
Fill your belly and your mind with this Lunch & Learn Session. This session is 90 minutes and include lunch!
LOFT 2
Diageo Agave workshop
Attendees of the Agave Workshop will be able to learn about Agave, the formation of flavor, terroir, Mexican spirits beyond tequila and Mezcal, and their different denomination of origin. The workshop will include an opportunity to taste variants from Tequila Don Julio, Casamigos, Astral, Union Mezcal, and other agave products. The Workshop will also include a hands-on portion where guests will learn to make a clarified margarita and to create their own bespoke salts blend utilizing an assortment of flavored salts from around the world.
Presented by:
Mohammed Zagha (bio)
Regional Educator, Diageo Hospitality Program
Sponsored by:
Lunch options from Fuji Bakery include:
Egg Salad Sandwich, BLT, Sriracha Chicken Sandwich, Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Ham and Cheese Croissant, Chips, Apples
* Additional options are available for purchase downstairs at the Armory Food Court.
1:30
PM
GRAB & GO SESSIONS
Sample these spirits and talk with their representatives in the lobby.
EMERGING BRAND TALK
Meet the maker and learn about this emerging brand.
2:00
PM
LOFT 2
Laws of Extraction: Liquid Brilliance from Solid Ingredients
From gooseberries in Summer to wild mushrooms in the Fall, it's easy to get excited about beautiful produce. Plants and fungi inspire us and offer ways to celebrate our locales and lean into the season. But unlike chefs, bartenders have the curious requirement of turning their bounty into liquid before they can use them.
Between the solid and liquid forms lies the process of extraction – and the crucial choice of extraction method from a dizzying set of options. The simple quest to make a grasshopper from your peppermint patch gets complicated. Get it wrong and you'll have a dull, murky, or otherwise underwhelming result. Overthink it and you may never return from the mystical realm of rotovaps and sonicators and emulsifiers.
In this seminar Wilderton will survey extraction methods and provide a simple way of determining which method is right for a given ingredient. The results can take the form of oleos, syrups, tinctures, glycerites, and reductions. Wilderton will show how the infinite diversity of natural ingredients can fit into an easy framework for the purposes of extraction, while making the case that simple processes tend to yield the best results.
Presented by:
Seth O'Malley (bio)
Founding Distiller
Wilderton
Sponsored by:
LOFT 3
Crystal Clear: Elevating Your Ice Game with Camper English & Creative Ice
Ice isn’t just a necessity—it’s an art form. Join acclaimed ice expert and man that literally wrote the book on ice, Camper English, for a deep dive into the world with Creative Ice, where you'll learn the tips, tricks, and techniques to take your ice program to the next level. Whether you're working with a large ice provider or crafting your own in-house, this class will give you the tools to create show-stopping, crystal-clear ice that enhances both aesthetics and flavor. No matter your setup, you'll leave with the knowledge to bedazzle your guests and elevate every cocktail you serve. Don't miss this cool opportunity!
Presented by:
Camper English (bio)
Cocktails and spirits writer and educator
Sponsored by:
3:00
PM
GRAB & GO SESSIONS
Sample these spirits and talk with their representatives in the lobby.
EMERGING BRAND TALK
Meet the maker and learn about this emerging brand.
3:30
PM
LOFT 2
Understanding how to pair cocktails and food:
A discussion/ affirmation for those beginning their journey
Understanding how to pair food and cocktails can be a daunting journey.
But by focusing on elements like flavors, body, brightness, potency, regions, and seasons, we can enhance our pairing skills and elevate our guest experiences.
Join us for a discussion that provides a roadmap for making informed decisions.
Presented by:
Jacob Sawabini (bio)
Master Distiller, Food and Spirits Professional
LOFT 3
DIVERSITY, Equity & INCLUSION: KEEPING OUR PEERS SAFE & THE ROLE OF BARTENDER’S IN SOCIAL CHANGE
Join industry leaders Anu Apte, Amy Faulkner, and representatives from Seattle Labor Standards for a vital conversation on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the bar and hospitality industry. This panel will explore the critical role bartenders and bar owners play in creating safe, inclusive spaces for both staff and customers, as well as how the bar community can actively contribute to broader social change. Learn actionable strategies for ensuring your establishment is a safe haven for all, while championing the importance of inclusive practices in your day-to-day operations. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement toward positive change in our industry.
PANELISTS
Seattle Labor Standards Representatives
Amy Faulkner (bio)
Anu Apte (bio)
Rylee Cotey (bio)
Moderated by:
Anthony Halwagy
Host: The Morning Show Podcast
The Carla Marie & Anthony Show