Raleigh Magazine's Cocktail Classic Presented by The Exchange

Raleigh Magazine's Cocktail Classic returns to The Exchange on Saturday, November 14, from 5 PM to 9 PM. It's a one-night gathering that brings together ten of the city's top bartenders for a People's Choice award decided by everyone in the room.

The lineup is a who's who of the local scene: Lewis Norton, Kevin Barrett, Kyle Hankin, Katie O'Kane, Josh Gagne, Matt Bettinger, Marshall Davis, Zack Medford, Matt Coleman, and Lily Ballance. Most of them are owners and founders of some of Raleigh's best bars, and each one puts their own spin on a classic cocktail. Those ten drinks are spread across ten bars, so you can work your way through the room and taste what each one brings to the table. There are also two custom demo bars where the bartenders pour, talk, and share the stories behind their drinks, which is a good place to start if you want to know who's who before you start voting.

Beyond the competition, the night is built around unlimited craft cocktails, Southern eats, and local DJs. There's a Glow & Glam Lounge, a Bubbly Room, and a giveaway that includes a Cocktail Classic Recipe Book. The event is run in partnership with the Raleigh-Durham Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, which it supports. And since it's a night of unlimited drinks, there's a rideshare code from Whitley Law Firm to help you get home.

Tickets are $145 for Early Bird and $175 for General Admission. It runs from 5 PM to 9 PM at The Exchange, 1000 Social St, Raleigh, NC 27609.