Nightclub & Bar - May 2009

2009 Award Winners

The Nightclub & Bar Five Star Awards honor beverage professionals who are raising the bar for the entire industry. During the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, we recognized the creativity and business savvy of on-premise operators and off-premise retailers who were nominated by members of the Nightclub & Bar Advisory Board and the editorial and conference teams.

The winners in each category were selected based on the number of nominations received and a review of their programs and initiatives by the Nightclub & Bar team. Congratulations to all!

Best Casual Dining
Beverage Program
O’Charley’s

As part of the Project RevO’lution rebranding launched in 2006, Nashville, Tenn.-based O’Charley’s new beverage initiative hit the bar last year with new flavors and new ingredients. A sharp menu with vivid drink photography and snappy text entices patrons at its 230 locations to sample specialty cocktails such as the Cotton Candy Cosmo or an inventive alcohol-free libation. The well-rounded beer selection and two-tiered wine offerings present a range of options, while extensive staff training and recipe standards ensure knowledgeable servers deliver consistent drinks. The new menu sparked a positive sales trend, and the innovations continue.

Finalists Applebee’s Outback

On-Premise Promotion
of the Year
Live at LongHorn

LongHorn Steakhouse, Orlando, Fla.

Three country music stars teamed up with three hot brands for the Live at LongHorn promotion held at the chain’s 308 locations. Jake Owen partnered with Cazadores Tequila, Luke Bryan teamed with Jack Daniels, and Dierks Bentley was paired with Bud Light. Owen and Bryan performed live at select LongHorn locations; featured brands were served in special drinks and signed memorabilia, tickets to shows and meet-and-greets were given out to attendees. A sweepstakes involved a trip to see Bentley perform in Atlanta. POS including souvenir glassware and t-shirts drew attention to the promotion, as did information in check presenters, menu inserts and an online campaign. The comprehensive effort resulted in 1,500 cases of souvenir glassware going over the bar, 2,500 sweepstakes entries and increased sales of the featured beverages, for a program that drove traffic and built brand awareness and sales for all involved.

Finalists The Art of Mixology Room@Twelve, Atlanta Cleveland Browns Sunday Public House, Cleveland

Mixologist of the Year
Julie Reiner

Proprietor, Flatiron Lounge & Clover Club New York City

Reiner began her career in the cocktail lounges of San Francisco and made her

way to Manhattan in 1997, where she sparked the interest of King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff. She began installing beverage programs in some hot spots around Manhattan and by May of 2003, she opened her own gourmet cocktail venue, Flatiron Lounge. As co-owner and beverage director, Reiner drew much of her inspiration from her native Hawaii by utilizing the freshest fruits and quality spices and spirits in her original cocktails.

Julie Reiner,

Mixologist of the

Year; with NCB’s

Donna Hood

Crecca (right).

She has been elevating the cocktail scene in New York City ever since, opening Pegu Club in 2005 with partner Audrey Saunders. Her latest venture, Brooklyn’s Clover Club, focuses on classics and pre-Prohibition cocktails, and furthers her signature style of superior quality and green market ingredients. A sought-after speaker, Reiner regularly presents at industry events, sharing her knowledge of bar and beverage operations, cocktail development and the craft of the cocktail with those who share her passion.