The revelry kicks off tonight – Bartenders compete in Red Stick Revelry cocktail contest

Area bartenders are prepping ingredients and putting the final touches on drink recipes for tonight’s Red Stick Revelry cocktail contest.

The free event starts at 7 p.m. at the Belle of Baton Rouge (103 France St.).

A dozen bartenders will compete to create the signature cocktail for the inaugural Red Stick Revelry New Year’s Eve bash. The winning recipe will be shared with Baton Rouge bars and restaurants so guests all around town may enjoy it on New Year’s Eve.

This year’s competitors include Feliciah Guidry of Belle of Baton Rouge, Mary Semper of Bistro Byronz, Joey Goar of The Cove, Kimmie Carmouche of Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, Samantha Carroll of Hot Tails Restaurant, Jonathan Broussard of Huey’s Bar, Anna Pendergast of L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge, Rory Livingston of Mason’s Grill, Scott Gremillion of Olive or Twist, Matthew Reed of The Pelican House, and Joy Harringa of Renaissance Baton Rouge.

These drink-makers will be trying to win the votes of celebrity judges Nadine Donner of BRAC, George Krause of Doe’s Eat Place, chef and 225 contributor Jay Ducote, state Rep. Hunter Greene, Darren Betts of City Club of Baton Rouge and zydeco performer Rockin’ Dopsie Jr.

Dopsie and his band will perform a free concert immediately following the contest.

For more information on tonight’s festivities, visit Red Stick Revelry online.

Check out 225‘s coverage of the event here and a play-by-play of the theme song’s music video here.