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Porchlight
Photograph: Filip WolakPorchlight

New York's Best Bartender 2015: Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen & Theater District

Is New York’s best bartender working in your neighborhood?

Written by
Time Out New York contributors
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Whether you’re a fan of dive bars, beer bars, rooftop bars, romantic bars or any other kind of bar, you can always find what you’re looking for in New York—most of us don’t even need to leave our neighborhoods to visit a bar (and bartender) we love. If your favorite bartender made it to the shortlist below, vote for them, then come back on April 1 to see if they made it into the final 50.

The nominees

Mark Bailey

Mark Bailey

Bar: Kiabacca

Been a bartender for: 13 years

Signature drink: I'm at a craft beer bar now but I love rocking a classic Manhattan or Old Fashioned

The best thing about being a bartender is: Story telling, whether it be on the telling or listening side.

Nicholas Bennett

Nicholas Bennett

Bar: Porchlight

Been a bartender for: 13 years

Signature drink: 443 Special

The best thing about being a bartender is: No other profession can bring together the most interesting and diverse individuals into one room.

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Juan Castilla

Juan Castilla

Bar: The Rum House

Been a bartender for: 10 years

Signature drink: Own original Piña Colada

The best thing about being a bartender is: Make people happy.

David Clarke

David Clarke

Bar: Cooper’s Craft and Kitchen

Been a bartender for: 10 years

Signature drink: Coopers CO-OPERation IPA

The best thing about being a bartender is: Having a genuine love of hospitality and giving that to our patrons.

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Ciera Coyan

Ciera Coyan

Bar: The Pony Bar

Been a bartender for: 4 years

Signature drink: I work in craft beer. My signature is helping people find the perfect beer for them!

The best thing about being a bartender is: Besides getting to overhear Tinder dates and trying to figure out who in the bar is going to get laid that night, my favorite thing is people spilling their secrets to me.

Drea Dobis

Drea Dobis

Bar: No. 8

Been a bartender for: 8 years

Signature drink: Cupid's Kiss

The best thing about being a bartender is: Helping people meet new people at my bar.

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Darnell Holguin

Darnell Holguin

Bar: Bathtub Gin

Been a bartender for: 11 years

Signature drink: Hemingway's Lover

The best thing about being a bartender is: The interactions and energy to share with the room. Keeps building up for a night to remember.

Sarah Lawrence

Sarah Lawrence

Bar: Hakkasan

Been a bartender for: 15 years

Signature drink: London in Lavender

The best thing about being a bartender is: Hospitality. It's how you make someone feel that they remember most. The exquisite cuisine, impeccably crafted cocktails, decadent ambiance, Michelin star are integral to the experience, but the hospitality is essential.

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Chris Lowder

Chris Lowder

Bar: The Nomad

Been a bartender for: 4 years

Signature drink: Sherry Hurricane

The best thing about being a bartender is: Helping people and making them happy.

Willito Rivera

Willito Rivera

Bar: Hardware Bar

Been a bartender for: 10 years

Signature drink: LIT

The best thing about being a bartender is: Meeting new people and making new friends.

Vote for your favorite bartender

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See more on New York's Best Bartender

New York's Best Bartender 2015
  • Bars

Bartenders are such a big part of our day-to-day life in New York that it’s easy to take them for granted, but where would we be without their beer-pouring, drink-mixing, sob-story–listening, make-all-your-evenings-magical-through-the-power-of-booze ways? That’s why we’re celebrating them with a competition to find the absolute best bartender in NYC.

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