Get ready to toast the season at Columbus Monthly’s Spring Cocktail Competition, which will be held May 14 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Vitria on the Square. Ten bars (and counting!) from among the city’s best restaurants will compete for best cocktail using liquor from sponsor Middle West Spirits. Attendees will also vote for best booth design and most creative cocktail as they enjoy live music and mingling. Early bird tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite for $40.
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Who’s participating in Columbus Monthly’s Spring Cocktail Competiton?
Dublin’s rooftop restaurant Vaso, which won Best Overall Cocktail in the Fall Cocktail Competition, will be returning to defend its status. But it will be facing some stiff competition from seasoned participants including Harvest, Jackie O’s and Hank’s.
Several restaurants that have been recognized in Columbus Monthly as being among the best in the city will be on-hand, including 2026 Best New Restaurant Astra Rooftop, and 2025 Best Restaurants Rooh and Lindey’s, both of whom are also returning competitors.
And newcomers to the competition—and to the city—will be on-hand, including The Nine, Coldbar and the recently reopened Boat House.
Click on the links below to learn more about each participant, and remember to buy $40 early bird tickets through May 7. After that, tickets will be $45.
Columbus Monthly’s 2026 Spring Cocktail Competition Participants
This list will be updated as additional participants confirm.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Taste the Best of the Best at Columbus Monthly’s Spring Cocktail Event
Reporting by Linda Lee Baird, Columbus Monthly / Columbus Monthly
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
