The written exam component of our bartending tournament goes down at The Diamond in Gastown this Monday, June 4th at noon. Many of our top barkeeps will sit for the 50 question, multiple choice test. Among their number will be the four most recent recipients of Vancouver Magazine’s prestigious Bartender of the Year award (Dani Tatarin, Simon Kaulback, Shaun Layton, Josh Pape), and heavy hitters like Steve Da Cruz, Ron Oliver, and Trevor Kallies. Several Vancouver Island bartenders will also be taking the test, albeit at a different venue in Victoria (many thanks to Shawn Soole and Simon Ogden for setting that up!). Though the tournament is a serious one – designed by bartenders for bartenders with much glory and bragging rights up for grabs – it is first and foremost a means for fun and fellowship within the trade. Everyone is invited to compete, so if you feel that you know your booze and your restaurant/bar scene pretty well, take the test! The one hour exam should prove to be the easiest part of the tournament, and if you ace it, you’ll find yourself among the elite 16 who will advance to the finals at The Keefer Bar on July 2nd. Email Keenan Hood at [email protected] to let him know you’re coming.

NOTE: This is a BYOP exam, so bring your own pen!