About this Event
Best Bartender in Texas | 2025–2026 Cycle
The SpeedRailz Texas State Championship is the culmination of an entire competitive year across the state. This is not a one-off event or a recurring monthly competition. This is the moment where the best bartenders from each major Texas market come together to determine who truly earns the title of Best Bartender in Texas.
This championship will not run again until 2027.
On February 17th, the winners from four cities will compete head-to-head at Cabana Club in Austin:
- San Antonio Champion: Ria
- Houston Champion: Dustin
- Dallas Champion: Allan
- Austin Champion: Nate
Each competitor earned their place through months of competition, evaluations, and community-based campaigns in their home city. This final event brings them together on one stage for a true statewide showdown.
Championship Format
The Texas State Championship combines two core disciplines that define the SpeedRailz system: craft mastery and mechanical execution.
Craft Cocktail Championship
Competitors will present an original cocktail using Iron Wolf Hot Scotch Whiskey as the featured spirit. This portion emphasizes creativity, balance, storytelling, and brand integration.
Judging will include:
- Professional evaluation
- Audience participation through the tasting judge experience
This is where concept, flavor, and presentation matter most.
Speed Competition
Following the craft portion, competitors will face off in a live speed round focused on efficiency, accuracy, and movement behind the bar.
There are no gimmicks here. This portion tests real-world bartending skill under pressure.
Final Scoring
Scores from the craft cocktail portion and the speed competition will be combined to determine the overall Texas State Champion.
Audience Experiences & Tickets
The State Championship is designed with two distinct audience experiences, allowing guests to choose how involved they want to be.
General Admission
General admission tickets provide access to the full event experience, including:
- Live craft cocktail presentations
- Speed competition rounds
- Championship announcements and networking
This option is ideal for those who want to observe, learn, and be part of the atmosphere without participating in scoring.
VIP Tasting Judge Experience
A limited number of guests will be able to serve as official tasting judges during the craft cocktail portion of the championship.
Tasting judges will sample each competitor’s Iron Wolf Hot Scotch cocktail & participate directly in the scoring process
This experience is intentionally limited to maintain judging integrity and is recommended for bartenders, hospitality professionals, and serious cocktail enthusiasts who want a hands-on role in the competition.
Why This Championship Matters
SpeedRailz is built on the belief that bartending excellence is more than just speed or creativity alone. It is the combination of technical skill, hospitality, preparation, and the ability to perform under pressure.
This is a live production with photo and video capture. By entering the event space, you consent to being photographed and recorded for marketing, promotional, and archival use across digital and social platforms.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Cabana Club, 5012 East 7th Street, Austin, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 25.09
