BarMagic of Las Vegas' wildly popular traveling speakeasy will be popping up in Las Vegas, Miami, and Aspen this and next month at events to be announced via the facebook group and the private website, www.socialmixologyvegas.com. Now in it's second year, Social Mixology is the world's first and only traveling pop-up cocktail speakeasy that features some of the world's top cocktail bartenders mixing up fresh classic, vintage, and contemporary cocktails with ice off the block, homemade tinctures, bitters, tonics, and sodas... all featuring craft artisan spirits. Plus it's fun. Seriously. Later.

BarMagic of Las Vegas joined forces with five Top Chef cheftestants in Los Angeles at a private charity dine-around and cocktail party benefitting the Sion de Foyer orphanage in Haiti. Led by BarMagic's Tobin Ellis, Christian Oldan and Amanda Gager poured fresh, specialty cocktails while chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, Ilan Hall, Marcus Vignernon, and Antonia Lafoso cooked and served an amazing spread of culinary treats for approximately 150 guests. The evening raised more than $35,000 for the orphanage which looks after 200 children in Haiti. The event was sponsored by Azunia Tequila and supported by Sailor Jerry Rum, Leblon Cachaça, Monin Syrups, and Aperol Liqueur.

BarMagic of Las Vegas will host its final party of the year this Tuesday December 29th as part of the highly-touted Social Mixology series– Las Vegas' (and possibly the worlds) first and only traveling speakeasy. Social Mixology is a celebration of cocktail culture and Las Vegas nightlife featuring a different artisan spirit each month showcased in rotating fresh vintage, classic, and contemporary cocktails made by the BMLV team. BMLV is led by 3-time national bartending champion Tobin Ellis and regular Food Network guest. The Tuesday night party moves to a new secret location each week to keep the underground vibe alive in a town where great parties are often overrun by camera-carrying tourists. Social Mixology features all fresh cocktails ranging from pre-prohibition classics like the Martinez to gastro-molecular original creations like the Bacon-washed Tuaca "Gentleman's Breakfast" as well as ice off the block, housemade tonics, bitters, syrups, tinctures, and more. The music is non-cmmerical DJ-driven and there are constant surprises including guest celebrity bartenders from around Las Vegas and the country. Past guests include Naren Young, Charlotte Voisey, Tony Abou-Ganim, Dale DeGroff, Drew Levinson, Gaston Martinez, Jim Ryan, and more. Social Mixology has been hosted at local off-strip cocktail bars like Nora's Cuisine as well as some of the most high-profile properties on the Las Vegas Strip including The Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas. To find out where the next event is held, see photos from past events, and find out the weekly password, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com or search "Social Mixology" on facebook.

BarMagic of Las Vegas's Tobin Ellis and John Hogan were on hand at the Langham Resort to make cocktails in celebration of Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio on the night of the show's finale. Voltaggio first worked with the BMLV team in 2007 hosting a cocktail-paired dinner for the Greenbrier Advisory BOard in May of 2007 and later opening Voltaggio's signature restaurant at the legendary 5-diamond Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Hogan & Ellis served five cocktails for the invitation-only VIP crowd: a classic Plymouth Negroni, Hendrick's & Outlaw Brown Tonic, Leblon Zamboni (Cachaça Negroni), Spiked Tea (Maker's Mark, Fresh Iced Tea, Lemon Espuma), and the award-winning Leblon Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaça, St. Germain, Apricot-Fig Jam, Peychaud Bitters, Lemon Espuma, Apricot Coulis, Cardamom Dust). BarMagic credits friend and acclaimed chef Voltaggio for teaching them molecular techniques in 2007.

For the second straight year, BarMagic of Las Vegas has held the official Plymouth Gin Repeal Day Celebration. This year's event began with a VIP invitation-only cocktail-paired or "Spirited" dinner at ENVY Steakhouse at the Renaissance Hotel featuring Tuaca and Woodford Reserve Cocktails. Afterwards, BMLV held a Social Mixology Repeal Day party featuring vintage, classic, and contemporary Plymouth and Plymouth Sloe Gin cocktails in a private room at FIRST Food & Bar at The Palazzo that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. The event included a 4-piece jazz band, burlesque dancers, ice-off-the-block and special guest mixologist John Hogan who flew in From Annapolis to surprise the local crowd. Plymouth Sloe Gin is not available in Nevada and BMLV was issued the only case Las Vegas will see all year.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis is one of three judges on the second season of lxtv/NBC's "On the Rocks: The Search for America's Top Bartender" sponsored by Absolut Vodka. The reality competition follows eight top bartenders from around the United States who are competing for $100,000 in Las Vegas. The show airs Nov 7th, 14th, and 21st right after Saturday Night Live on most NBC stations. Ellis was part of the behind the scenes crew on last year's season one, which was won by Las Vegas' own Amanda Gager. Gager was also a judge this season along with the indescribable Fabrizio Brienza, who also judged last season. The three 30-minute episodes will be available in HD online as well at lxtv.com/ontherocks.

Las Vegas' first and only traveling speakeasy, Social Mixology, has landed back in Las Vegas after a summer of traveling the country. Register with Social Mixology today and receive access to this coming Tuesdays' underground event featuring including the exact location and password for entry.

The Las Vegas traveling speakeasy Social Mixology returns home this coming Tuesday, September 22, 2009 with fresh classic and culinary cocktails featuring a new spirit, created by BarMagic of Las Vegas. To find out the exact time and location, log onto the Finca Vigia, the virtual speakeasy at socialmixologyvegas.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' John Hogan and Tobin Ellis took 1st place in the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Barmade Bitters competition sponsored by TRU Spirits this past Sunday in New Orleans. Selected from hundreds of entries months ago, the field was narrowed to the best 15 homemade cocktail bitters, including Hogan & Ellis' English Lavender & Spice bitters. A blend of cinchona, cardamom, chamomile, wild organic lavender, English cucumber, sage, and all-spice– the duo's bitters won the spice category and will be bottled and sold around the United States in the near future. The process of making the winning bitters began last year in October, when the Las Vegas beverage consultants began making single-spice tinctures which they maticiously blend by palate, to create the final product. Winners in the other two categories including Baked Big Apple bitters by Marshall Atlier (Fruit) and Swedish Bitters by Adam Seger (Herb). The competition was judged by Livio Lauro (USBG President), Allen Katz (Slow Food USA), John Deragon (PDT) and TRU Spirit owners Litty and Melkon. 

Tobin Ellis (BMLV) and Andrew Pollard (Noir Bar) won the USBG National Finals of the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Leblon Caipirinha competition representing Las Vegas, tonight at Pat O'Briens in New Orleans. BMLV's cocktail was the Sao Paolo Flip (Leblon Cachaca, St. Germain, Apricot & Fig Preserves, Peychaud Bitters, Apricot Nectar – topped with fresh lemon espuma and garnished with cardamom dust and an apricot coulis.) Andrew's cocktail was the El Calor de Brasil (The Heart of Brazil made with Leblon Cachaça, Homemade Jalepeno Syrup, Fresh Lime juice, Tangerine Juice, Basil, and Pineapple).  Kristen Schaefer, Tobin Ellis, and John Hogan prepared the Sao Paolo Flip for an expert panel of judges and a global industry crowd of 300 that included Dale Degroff, Gaston Martinez, Drew Levinson, Bobby "G" Gleason, Phil Raimondo, Brian Loukmas, Alex Velez, Eddie Perelez, and many more industry heavyweights. Bartenders from nine U.S. cities (including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Miami, New York and Washington D.C.) submitted recipes months go and 18 finalisst (two from each city) were selected to compete in the finals. Last year's winner Tad Carducci won this years' "People's Choice" award with his contemporary Caipirinha that featured Indian spices.

At this year's Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans 25 Spirited Dinners will be held on Thursday July 9th but only one will feature a "Founders Table" with special guests Ann and Paul Tuennerman and Dale and Jill DeGroff. BMLV's John Hogan, Kristen Schaefer, and Tobin Ellis will be again conducting what was a sell-out event last year for 106 people at The Pelican Club.  Each course of celebrated New Orleans chef Richard Hughes will be paired with a custom fresh cocktail, see the menu for details. Reservations are $100 per personand include all food and cocktails, while still available. 21 and over only with proper ID. For reservations call The Pelican Club at 504-523-1504. Cocktail reception begins promptly at 8pm on Thursday July 9th. Tales of the Cocktail is an annual event held in New Orleans celebrating the history and art of the cocktail. For more information and tickets to Tales, visit www.talesofthecocktail.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Tobin Ellis will be making cocktails on the Martha Stewart "Living Today" radio program on Sirius/XM this Friday June 5th at 1pm PST/4pm EST. Ellis will be making and explaining four fresh cocktails all themed around the idea of Twisted Summer Classics. The four drinks he will be making include homemade ingredients combined with craft spirits and fresh fruits and vegetables. For recipes, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com and register for access. Ellis is filling in during a Las Vegas taping of the show for regular cocktail host Allen Katz, Mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Social Mixology program was the subject of a feature article in May's Tasting Panel Magazine. Social Mixology is a weekly celebration of Las Vegas cocktail culture that showcases a different hand-crafted spirit and a different Las Vegas cocktail bar each month. The weekly party features an all-fresh cocktail program with classic and contemporary cocktails, ice-off-the-block, guet bartenders/mixologists, and DJ-spun music. This month the feature spirit is Corzo Tequila. For information, visit www.socialmixologyvegas.com.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Kristen Schaefer appears in this month's Tasting Panel Magazine in an article about the 2009 Domaine de Canton Bartender of the Year Competition held recently in St. Maarten. Schaefer was one of 12 US finalists selected out of thousands who began the competition in 2008. She went on to qualify for the national finals after winning the Southwest regional held in Los Angeles in early 2009 with her cocktail, the Sunseri Fizz.At the finals in St. Maarten, Schaefer competed with the Samba Swizzle, which is on the menu at Rhumbar in Las Vegas.

The Social Mixology Tour begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14 at the Red Room Saloon (3101 W. Sahara Avenue) with a guest appearance by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim AKA “The Modern Mixologist,” who will be manning the customized Leblon Cachaça Caipirinha bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. There, Tony will create fresh, signature Caipirinhas for guests using a pantry of seasonal fruits, exotic spices and savory herbs. Social Mixology now in its second month, features artisan spirits and fresh cocktails showcased by some of Las Vegas' (and the world's) top bartender, mixologists, and chefs including Drew Levinson, Athony Alba, Gaston Martinez, Charlotte Voisey, Kristen Schaefer, Jim Ryan, John Hogan, Alek Velez, Tobin Ellis and more. Social Mixology is a BMLV event in conjunction with Wirtz Beverage of Nevada and the Nevada Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild. For more information, read the full article at The Las Vegas Weekly.

BarMagic of Las Vegas' Kristen Schaefer was on Fox-5 TV's MORE Show today making Rhum cocktails developed by BMLV for Rhumbar at The Mirage. Schaefer, who is lead bartender/bar manager at Rhumbar demo'd the Rhumbar Mojito and Spanish Trampoline along side Rhumbar  managing partner Michael Frey. The video and recipes are available online at Fox-5 News. This is Schaefer's second TV appearance, the first was in 2008 when she appeared with Tobin Ellis on Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay: Rematch on the Grill where Shaefer and Ellis bested Flay's Pineapple Mojito with their Dos Cubanos, a fresh mango and habanero daiquri topped with a smoked mojito foam.

This month's Imbibe magazine has a feature article on smoked cocktails, and BMLV's John Hogan is featured in the 3-page spread with his thoughts on smoking techniques as well as a recipe for one of BarMagic's smoked cocktail features, the Smoked Riveria. One of Hogan's signature techniques is to smoke water using nothing more than hickory chips and a weber barbeque, then using that water to create smoked ice cubes and smoked fresh mixers. Hogan has also been on the cover on Nightclub & Bar and had feature write-ups about his work in Capitol File and several other DC publications over his 18-year career behind the bar.
 

BarMagic of Las Vegas opened Rhumbar at The Mirage Resort & Casino today under the leadership of BMLV's Kristen Schaefer. The cocktail and cigar bar features a healthy selection of Rhum Agricoles, Aged Rums, Cachaças, Pisco, and other select spirits and liqueurs including Castries, Veev, and Domaine de Canton. BMLV's John Hogan and Tobin Ellis designed the cocktail program and conducted the staff training last month. But the majority of the operational planning and opening duties were handled by BMLV's Kristen Schaefer who shares her time between BarMagic and the parent company of Rhumbar, DriveThis! Entertainment where she has been appointed corporate bar trainer and lead bartender at Rhumbar. The all-fresh cocktail program includes the requisite Rum classics (1944 Mai Tai, Hemingway Daiquri, Mojito, Zombie, and Scorpion Bowl) as well as some BarMagic signature cocktails and orginal drink features like the runaway top-selling "Spanish Trampoline," a revamp of the winning cocktail on Food Network Challenge (Tangerine Mojave) now made with Sagatiba Cachaça. Also on the menu is the cocktail Schaefer made during the Domain de Canton Bartender of the Year finals in St. Maarten, the Samba Swizzle. DriveThis! Entertainment is a joint client of High Spirits Enterprises and BarMagic of Las Vegas and operates Casa Fuentes at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops, Tacos & Tequila at The Luxor, and Rhumbar at The Mirage. DriveThis! partner Michael Frey also has interests in Montecristo Rum and Freyboy Cigars/Cigarbox. Read the Las Vegas Weekly review of Rhumbar and the Daily Fiasco review of Rhumbar's top-selling specialty drink, the Spanish Trampoline.