The voting was as hot and hurried as a martini shaker on a Saturday night, and your comments on the metromix.com graffiti board were as opinionated as a drunk’s rant at a divey corner bar. But when the dust cleared after more than 20,000 votes, five bartenders emerged as the faves from your 10 nominees.
Read about them here, then vote now on metromix.com for the mixologist with the most: the person you think deserves to be named the best bartender in Chicago. Want to see our fab five in action? Don’t miss the metromix/RedEye party on Thursday, Aug. 26, at Gracies (1119 W. Webster Pl., 773-528-1788), where they’ll be slinging their signature drinks for all to taste. Keep voting until Aug. 29–the top bartender will be revealed in the Sept. 1 issue.
Ed Judge, 35
Petterino’s
150 N. Dearborn St.
312-422-0150
Signature drink: Margarita, $9.50
The scoop: We got rhyme after rhyme from Ed’s loyal fans, all singing his praises. If you’ve ever tasted his margarita or dirty martini, you just might be penning limericks too. Ask the ex-dentist why he’s top dog and he’ll just say he’s loads of fun. Push harder and he’ll admit he’s charming and pours a mean drink–not to mention what he can do with a chipped tooth!
Works: 4-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 4-11 p.m. Fridays
Tracy Miller, 28
The Apartment
2251 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-348-5100
Signature drink: Screwball martini, $9
The scoop: Tracy got a taste of celebrity during last week’s voting: New customers showed up just to see her, and on Thursday night, The Apartment’s DJ stepped to the mic and told everyone to vote for her. Said one supporter: “Tracy is always laughing, and if one of her favorites tunes comes on, you can count on her dancing while she is shaking her m’tinis.”
Works: 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays; 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays
Titus Mastrangelo, 32
Green Dolphin Street
2200 N. Ashland Ave.
773-395-0066
Slick’s Lounge
1115 N. North Branch St.
312-932-0006
Signature drink: Stoli Around the World, $9
The scoop: Titus racked up the most votes in our online poll. Judging by reader comments on metromix.com, he’s also incredibly popular with the ladies. But Titus isn’t just another pretty face–he’s also a shrewd mind. “Last Saturday [at Green Dolphin Street] I had my barback load me up with extra bottles of Stoli, just in case,” he says. He went through eight bottles in three-and-a-half hours–fueled by requests for his Stoli Around the World cocktail.
Works: 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays (Slick’s); Special engagements and parties (Green Dolphin Street)
Chad Johnson, 27
Bungalow Lounge
1622 W. Belmont Ave.
773-244-0400
Signature drink: Manhattan, $8.50
The scoop: “My father is a minister, so when he called to congratulate me, I knew it was a good thing,” says Chad of his victory. He knew his campaign was going well last weekend based on the demand for his signature cocktail. “Women don’t drink Manhattans, even though the girls drank them on the last season of ‘Sex and the City.’ And I made just as many Manhattans for women as I did for men last Friday.”
Works: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays
Laurel Tiknis, 32
Underbar
3243 N. Western Ave.
773-404-9363
Signature drink: Maker’s Mark Manhattan, $6.50
The scoop: Though she’s been tending the taps for the past 11 years–currently splitting her time between sister saloons Green Eye and Underbar–Lauren is a woman of few words. Perhaps that’s the secret to her success: In this business it pays to be more ears than mouth. Good thing her fans agree: “Laurel keeps your glass filled … listens to your troubles and celebrates with your joy.”
Works: 4-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays
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Vote now …
Go to metromix.com to vote for your favorite. The winner will be featured on metromix.com and in the Sept. 1 issue of metromix/RedEye.
… then party!
These top bartenders will be mixing it up at a big bash at Gracies on Aug. 26. Want to come? Get on the guest list by signing up for RedEye Rewards (it’s free!) at redeyechicago.com (or just show up if you’re already a member). Once you see them in action, vote for your favorite on metromix.com.
