The bartender at the Legacy Club in Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas is officially one of the 30 best in the U.S.
The United States Bartenders Guild recently held its annual competition to find the best cocktail-makers and beer-pourers in America. Kenneth Hwong, a Las Vegas native, made the top 30 list.
He beat out thousands of applicants for a place in the national finals, which are set to be held in Denver, Colorado, in June. The winner of that event will go on to represent the U.S. at the World Class Global Bartender Finals in Shanghai later this year.
In their applications, each bartender had to create a new signature cocktail, using a drink from a range offered by brewer and sponsor Diageo.
Hwong’s drink was called Inhale. The unique drink combines vodka, Pernod, bitters, espresso, and honey for a multi-flavored, caffeinated hit.
“To participate in the biggest cocktail competition in cocktail culture and elevated drinking is surreal,” Hwong said.
Inhaled
Hwong’s signature drink for the competition was inspired by his experiences in Las Vegas restaurants growing up, where the post-dinner chocolate mint was always a highlight.
While serving up drinks at Legacy Club, Hwong also enjoys pouring a What’s Your Number? This Asian-cuisine inspired cocktail is a coconut milk rum punch, accompanied by coconut cream and green chillis.
If you fancy trying one of these fancy award-winning drinks for yourself, the Legacy Club rooftop bar is open daily from 4PM to 2AM.
Be sure to pack some relatively smart attire, as casual wear, such as sports shorts, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed.
World Class Bartending
The top 30 finalists, including Hwong, will be heading to Denver from June 1 to 4 to compete in the national championship.
“The Top 30 competitors will be tasked with, among other skills, creativity in developing a homemade ingredient to highlight the flavor profile of a DIAGEO Reserve Spirit,” the U.S. Bartenders Guild said in a press release.
“Plus, the ability to draw inspiration from their own experiences to influence a cocktail creation using storytelling to enhance their presentation of their serve and how well they can create quality serves – quickly.”
As well as world class bartenders and celebrity chefs, some other unique drinking experiences in Las Vegas include sci-fi and fantasy-dressed servers at Millennium Fandom, or an actual robot to make and serve your drink at the Tipsy Robot at Planet Hollywood.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
