Alissa May Atkinson
Bar: The Way Station
Been a bartender for: 12 years
Signature drink: The Christina Hendricks
The best thing about being a bartender is: The ability to connect with people, share in their celebrations and create a community.
Look through the list below and vote for your favorite New York bartender
We’re proud to present the top 50 nominees in Time Out New York’s Best Bartender 2015 contest, after a vigorous first round that saw nearly 30,000 votes cast. These elite drink-slingers ply their trade everywhere from dive bars and beer bars to rooftop bars and romantic bars, but one thing unites them (besides alcohol): They all need your support once again. You only have until March 24 to vote on this round, so find your favorite below and make sure to return on April 15 to see who made it into the top 10.
Bar: The Way Station
Been a bartender for: 12 years
Signature drink: The Christina Hendricks
The best thing about being a bartender is: The ability to connect with people, share in their celebrations and create a community.
Bar: Kiabacca
Been a bartender for: 13 years
Signature drink: I'm at a craft beer bar now but I love rocking a classic Manhattan or Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: Story telling, whether it be on the telling or listening side.
Bar: Lexington Brass
Been a bartender for: 20 years
Signature drink: The Rosselle
The best thing about being a bartender is: There are many things I love about bartendeing, but there is nothing like seeing the reaction of your guests and regulars when you make them a new and well balanced cocktail. The best thing about bartending to me, is definitely my guests.
Bar: Donna
Been a bartender for: 4 years
Signature drink: Forbidden Planet
The best thing about being a bartender is: My favorite aspect of bartending has to be working the busiest nights of the weekend.
Bar: Porchlight
Been a bartender for: 13 years
Signature drink: 443 Special
The best thing about being a bartender is: No other profession can bring together the most interesting and diverse individuals into one room.
Been a bartender for: 10 years
Signature drink: Hickory Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: Seeing someone's excitement at tasting or learning something new.
Bar: Rôtisserie Georgette
Been a bartender for: 14 years
Signature drink: 60th & Bourbon
The best thing about being a bartender is: Customizing the experience and the flavors for the guest and getting to know them in the process—all in the spirit of creativity and hospitality.
Bar: RedFarm
Been a bartender for: 17 years
Signature drink: Nori Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: My ability to evoke nostalgia and deliver surprises in a glass, to allow my customers to experience something new with each sip. Given my Asian American heritage, I especially love to incorporate unexpected ingredients, such as oolong tea, matcha and Japanese nori in my cocktails. It's an incredible feeling to see that my cocktails can bring delight to my customers.
Bar: The Pony Bar
Been a bartender for: 4 years
Signature drink: I work in craft beer. My signature is helping people find the perfect beer for them!
The best thing about being a bartender is: Besides getting to overhear Tinder dates and trying to figure out who in the bar is going to get laid that night, my favorite thing is people spilling their secrets to me.
Bar: Park Bar
Been a bartender for: 12 years
Signature drink: Manhattan
The best thing about being a bartender is: The characters I meet on a daily basis.
Bar: Florian
Been a bartender for: 18 years
Signature drink: Diavolo Zafferano
The best thing about being a bartender is: The best thing about being a bartender is being able to represent 'the modern-day alchemist'—mixing nightlife, philosophy, and sensuality with hospitality, charm and good spirit—all garnished with love and passion.
Bar: Fool’s Gold
Been a bartender for: 11 years
Signature drink: Ramos Gin Fizz or anything bespoke that a guest and I can come up with
The best thing about being a bartender is: Giving guests an incredible experience while listening to incredible music and working with people I love, i.e. the vibe!
Bar: The Duplex Piano Bar
Been a bartender for: 29 years
Signature drink: Maria Sangria and the Blackberry Manhattan
The best thing about being a bartender is: My connection with my customers. I hug at least 20 people a night.
Bar: Jimmy at the James
Been a bartender for: 10+ years
Signature drink: Vieux Carre
The best thing about being a bartender is: Every night is a fresh opportunity to meet new people or spend time with regular customers—many of whom have become friends. My job is to make sure people have a great night, and that's a real privilege.
Bar: CATCH
Been a bartender for: 10 years
Signature drink: Original Cinn
The best thing about being a bartender is: Some might think that everything has already been done, but—as a bartender—I feel there's no to limit one's creativity.
Bar: Dram
Been a bartender for: 13 years
Signature drink: Teenage Riot
The best thing about being a bartender is: The people. The flavor. The fact that every single day my job is different. I get to be a psychologist, an artist, a party planner, a DJ, a chef—every day!
Bar: Music Box
Been a bartender for: 15 years
Signature drink: Fifty Shades of Grey Coctel
The best thing about being a bartender is: Seeing my happy.
Bar: Bathtub Gin
Been a bartender for: 11 years
Signature drink: Hemingway's Lover
The best thing about being a bartender is: The interactions and energy to share with the room. Keeps building up for a night to remember.
Bar: The Daily
Been a bartender for: 8 years
Signature drink: Dead Squad
The best thing about being a bartender is: The opportunity to meet new people and customize an experience for them.
Bar: Branded Saloon
Been a bartender for: 21 years
Signature drink: Piece of Ass
The best thing about being a bartender is: I love talking with cool people, the lonely or confused helping them escape from life. The beaten down PAs or entitled assholes can go to AppleBees (I dont love them).
Bar: Gotham Bar & Grill
Been a bartender for: 20 years
Signature drink: All of them
The best thing about being a bartender is: As the creative mind/mixologist to some of the city's best eateries and bars, I really enjoy the creative aspect of developing seasonal menus. I love the whole process of sourcing fun, unique ingredients and spirits harmonizing them and wowing my guest.
Bar: Hakkasan
Been a bartender for: 15 years
Signature drink: London in Lavender
The best thing about being a bartender is: Hospitality. It's how you make someone feel that they remember most. The exquisite cuisine, impeccably crafted cocktails, decadent ambiance, Michelin star are integral to the experience, but the hospitality is essential.
Bar: The Gilroy
Been a bartender for: 10 years
Signature drink: Oaxacan Negroni
The best thing about being a bartender is: Meeting all the great people and being one of the social centers for the community.
Bar: Bean Post Pub
Been a bartender for: 20 years
Signature drink: The New Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: Connecting with the neighborhood and its people—whether it’s cheering someone up or cheering someone on.
Bar: The Nomad
Been a bartender for: 4 years
Signature drink: Sherry Hurricane
The best thing about being a bartender is: Helping people and making them happy.
Bar: BKB
Been a bartender for: 15 years
Signature drink: Paper Ships
The best thing about being a bartender is: I've been extremely fortunate to have had amazing teachers who have selflessly shared their knowledge with me and empowered me to become a teacher myself.
Bar: Fanelli's Cafe
Been a bartender for: 8 years
Signature drink: Bloody Mary
The best thing about being a bartender is: Practicing new social skills that I somehow missed growing up in a low-stakes environment with lots of support from my regulars!
Bar: The Leadbelly
Been a bartender for: 7 years
Signature drink: Smoke Signal Mezcal
The best thing about being a bartender is: The fast pace, unconventional hours with a big social aspect and the chance to exert creative energy every single night.
Bar: Brother Jimmy’s
Been a bartender for: 6 years
Signature drink: Gin cocktail with St.Germain, pineapple and lemonade
The best thing about being a bartender is: Honestly, I love brightening people's day. So many people get caught up in the negativity of life and I do want I can to make my customers smile, be happy and get messy wasted!
Bar: The Long Island Bar
Been a bartender for: 12 years
Signature drink: I'm not sure but I'll probably light it on fire
The best thing about being a bartender is: My office is where people go to have fun!
Bar: The Bar Room
Been a bartender for: 4 years
Signature drink: The Ransom Buck
The best thing about being a bartender is: Being in a position to interact with new people and having the power to brighten their day.
Bar: The Happiest Hour
Been a bartender for: “Since I was born.”
Signature drink: Anything with Sherry
The best thing about being a bartender is: Being convivial for a living!
Bar: Narcissa
Been a bartender for: 23 years
Signature drink: Spanish Fly
The best thing about being a bartender is: Taking care of people and giving them things they never knew they wanted. With a background in photochemistry, I approach cocktails through a science lens. I never know what's trendy/cool, but I do know what sounds delicious. It’s like a magic trick.
Bar: Hudson Malon
Been a bartender for: 27 years
Signature drink: Sidecar
The best thing about being a bartender is: Show business—the ability to interact with guests and create magic.
Bar: Daniel
Been a bartender for: 14 years
Signature drink: Basil Crush
The best thing about being a bartender is: My customers.
Bar: Ducks Eatery
Been a bartender for: 9 years
Signature drink: Mezcal Hug
The best thing about being a bartender is: Regulars, high five garnishes, boomerangs and the USBG.
Bar: Pouring Ribbons
Been a bartender for: 15 years
Signature drink: All things agave
The best thing about being a bartender is: A chance to save the world, one cocktail at a time.
Bar: Reclamation
Been a bartender for: 9 years
Signature drink: Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: The community and then the whiskey.
Bar: The Dead Rabbit
Been a bartender for: 9 years
Signature drink: Nut Job
The best thing about being a bartender is: The best thing about being a bartender is being able to make people's day brighter, or send them out happier than when they came in!
Bar: Morandi
Been a bartender for: 10 years
Signature drink: Maremmano
The best thing about being a bartender is: Sleeping in late.
Bar: Elberta
Been a bartender for: 5 years
Signature drink: Spicy Watermelon Margarita
The best thing about being a bartender is: Being able to listen to patrons and learn what spirits move them. The ability to engage on a stage with no script, no rehersal and on the spot auditioning for that next new flavor and for the next person to say, "Wow that's it."
Bar: The Richardson
Been a bartender for: 7-8 years
Signature drink: Russell's Reserve Barrel 69 Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: It's one of the few places I don't feel awkward. I love adapting to a changing room, the energy, giving customers an awesome night and making killer drinks—from classic cocktails to shots of Fernet or whiskey to opening a bottle of beer. I love it all.
Bar: Armor y Amargo
Been a bartender for: 13 years
Signature drink: Campfire Old Fashioned
The best thing about being a bartender is: I live for service. I love being a part of my guests experience.
Bar: Cielo
Been a bartender for: 18 years
Signature drink: Tequila, blood orange, dark cherries, jalapeño and bitters
The best thing about being a bartender is: Meeting people from all over the world, and getting to share NYC's hidden gems in food and shopping.
Bar: The Jeffrey
Been a bartender for: 4 years
Signature drink: Let's Get Weird/Man of Action
The best thing about being a bartender is: I love being able to create an environment where my customers feel welcomed, heard and appreciated. Being behind the bar is a wonderful creative outlet, and I love being able to share my passion with my customers.
Bar: Harding’s
Been a bartender for: 10 years
Signature drink: The Black Forest
The best thing about being a bartender is: By far, the best thing about being a bartender is simply entertaining guests as if they were guests in my home. Just creating an experince that is unequivocal to anything else they have encountered in New York is what truly drives me.
Bar: La Contenta
Been a bartender for: 8 years
Signature drink: Oaxaca Express
The best thing about being a bartender is: Make people happy.
Bar: Hotel Chantelle
Been a bartender for: 5 years
Signature drink: Don Julio agave margarita
The best thing about being a bartender is: You get to meet new people constantly.
Bar: Sweet Afton
Been a bartender for: 12 years
Signature drink: Old Pal
The best thing about being a bartender is: Making friends for others and bringing people together.
Bar: Burke & Wills
Been a bartender for: 17 years
Signature drink: Smokin’ Apple
The best thing about being a bartender is: After whippin’ up bespoke cocktails; having my regulars come back and say what a fabulous evening they had with me!
Earlier this month we presented you with our top 100 nominees for Time Out New York’s Best Bartender 2015 contest, and nearly 30,000 of you voted to move your picks into the next round. Our top 50 elite drink-slingers ply their trade everywhere from dive bars and beer bars to rooftop bars and romantic bars, but one thing unites them (besides alcohol): They all need your support once again.
Discover Time Out original video