On a hot night toward the end of summer eight years ago, Vancouver’s best bartenders gathered for a crazy cocktail competition at The Diamond. Things got pretty wild. Glasses were broken; oaths were shouted; shirts came off; side bets were made; cash was king and much fun was had without anything resembling corporate sponsorship. Naturally, special points were given for bad behaviour, good stories told, and ridiculous garnishes.

While many of the competitors (not to mention attendees) from that evening have since moved on to open restaurants and bars of their own, several are – unfortunately – no longer living in Vancouver. We miss them dearly. Who won the night? If my memory serves correctly (as a judge I was properly sloshed by the end) it really didn’t matter. Look through the photos below to find out. Hint: it’s the person who got the most soaked.