National Black Bartender Competition comes to the Lowcountry

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Charleston native has organized a new national competition for Black bartenders that will kick off on Friday with its first-ever event in the Lowcountry.

Latoya Vickers has established “The Great Shakeup”, a three-round elimination cocktail competition that will feature exclusively Black mixologists from around the country.

“The Great Shakeup” will take place on April 26th at The Coan located at 359 Treeland Dr. Suite A in Ladson. The event will start at noon for VIP ticket holders and at 1 p.m. for general admission and will end at 5 p.m.

Vickers is the curator of Festival Noir, a place where Black winemakers, spirit makers and cocktail craftsmen are celebrated and showcased.

Officials say Black bartenders make up less than 6% of bartenders in the US and very rarely get an opportunity to let their craftsmanship shine or the opportunity to be celebrated. “The Great Shakeup” creates the space to do both.

Ticket prices for the competition range between $75 – 200 dollars. To learn more or to buy tickets, click here .

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