It was all loves and hugs among last year's Table 20 bartender finalists.

May I present the best of the best in L.A. bartending: the finalists for Table 20’s LA’s Best Bartender Competition:

• Joe Brooke, Next Door Lounge – People’s Choice

• Justin Pike, Tasting Kitchen – Judges’ Selection

• Brian Summer, Harvard & Stone – Karlsson’s Cocktail Challenge Winner

• Devon Tarby, The Varnish – Judges’ Selection

• Daniel Zacharczuk, Bar | Kitchen – Karlsson’s Cocktail Challenge Winner

Who do you think will or should win?

Only one of the five extremely talented individuals above will get the title of Best LA bartender and have their gorgeous mug plastered on a billboard. And the judging competition is going down on Sunday, October 9 with lucky judges like King Cocktail Dale Degroff, Library Bar’s (and last year’s winner) Matthew Biancaniello and Top Chef Just Dessert participant Johnny Iuzzini choosing the winner. And while they’re deliberating you’ll get to sample the entries as well as shop Barkeeper Silverlake’s pop-up store, indulge in Ice Ice Shavie’s cocktail snow cones and mingle with like-minded cocktail enthusiasts. General admission tickets go on sale on this Monday, September 26.

EVENT: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 from 3 to 8pm

Elevate Lounge
811 Wilshire Boulevard, 21st floor
Los Angeles, California 90017 (map)
Facebook: Table 20
Twitter: @Table20