Local celebrities get behind the bar – Pelican House hosts bartending event tonight

Baton Rouge celebrities will go head-to-head in a bartending event for a good cause tonight at The Pelican House.

Brides Against Breast Cancer’s Celebrity Bartending event kicks off at 7 p.m. at the bar, 2572 Citiplace Ct. Tickets to the event are $35 in advance online and $45 at the door.

The festivities include gourmet hors d’oeurves, a raffle, music from DJ Reeko of RG Productions and seven notable residents slinging select beers and wines for tips in a friendly competition.

The celebrities include Christy Chachere and Courtney Hunt of Visit Baton Rouge, Bryant Laiche of B. Laiche Designs, Matt Dunn of “The Kickoff Show,” Gabby Loubiere of Brew Ha-Ha, Natalie Gillis Binford of Brandskin Media and Anna Betts, a.k.a. “Alabama Anna,” of WTEG 100.7.

Each celebrity will have a shift for serving drinks, and whoever has the largest amount of tips will win a prize. Proceeds will go to help BABC, the national organization that does 120 bridal shows throughout the country.

BABC national events manager Nicole Mancini says the event is a big deal for celebrity participants.

“They’re working to raise tips,” she says. “Hopefully, they’ll get their friends and supporters out there for their tip jars.”

Before the event, each local celeb will be introduced with his or her own walkout song. It’s a moment when Mancini gets to pump up the competitors.

Betts says her song is Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country,” and she’s ready to show her skills.

“I’m an expert at pouring white wine,” she says. “When it comes time for me to bartend, I’ll just try to grab everyone when they walk up to the bar. I might throw a couple elbows, too.”

Dunn says he’ll use his height and loud voice to his advantage. His lack of experience is making him a little nervous, but he welcomes the opportunity to help the cause.

“This is something that’s new to a lot of us out there,” he says. “I’ve never worked in the service industry before. I think we’re going to learn that it’s tougher than a lot of people imagine. And hopefully, we’ll learn to tip our bartenders and servers a little extra because I’m sure someone is going to fall flat on their backs tonight.”

For more information on the event, click here.