Motif Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Motif magazine hosted its 2024 Rhode Island Bartenders Ball and awards at R1 Indoor Karting in Lincoln on Aug. 11. Held during the magazine’s 20th anniversary celebration, the event spotlighted the talents of Rhode Island’s top bartenders with a brand showcase, an awards ceremony, cocktail competitions and live entertainment. Rhode Island residents were invited to vote for their favorite mixologists and venues prior to the event in a variety of fun categories, including Best Bartender as a Therapist, Favorite Beard, Favorite Singing Bartender and many more. Winners with the Most Votes Total: Brandon Maddock, The Square Peg Restaurant & Bar and Stingy Alley; Runner-up: Leah Stoddard, The 133 Club and Hot Club. Most Write-In Votes: Mike Ferreira, Axe Bar; Runner-up: Dominique Stromley. Favorite New Bartender: Karael Mistivar; Funniest Bartender: Jimmy Ridlen; and Best Beard: Mike Rigney, Askew and The Stable. In its third year, the event was sponsored by R1 Indoor Karting and Grey Sail Brewing. Guests also enjoyed live entertainment with music by Johnny Shadow Fuzmuzek and the Providence Drum Troupe and a burlesque performance by Third House Events. For a complete list of winners, visit Motif’s website.

: Motif magazine hosted its 2024 Rhode Island Bartenders Ball and awards at R1 Indoor Karting in Lincoln on Aug. 11.

: Rhode Island residents were invited to vote for their favorite mixologists and venues prior to the event in a variety of fun categories, including Best Bartender as a Therapist, Favorite Beard, Favorite Singing Bartender and many more.

: Mike Ryan, Publisher, Motif.

: Competition Judges Belle Gunz and Jane Doe, Performers and Owners, Third House Events; and Mike Silva, Owner, BĀS Cocktails.

: First-place winner of the Mixology Live Competition: Nichole Bonollo, Owner, Sippin’ Pretty Mobile Bar.

: Bonollo’s cocktail.

: Second-place winner of the Mixology Live Competition: Brendan Maddock, The Square Peg Restaurant & Bar and Stingy Alley.

: Maddock’s cocktail.

: Third-place winner of the Mixology Live Competition: Aleia Morin.

: Morin’s cocktail.

: Competitor Taty Goncharova, Drinks with Taty.

: A pour of Goncharova’s cocktail.

: Competitor Patrick Hamilton, Skeff’s Pub.

: Hamilton’s cocktail.

: Brendan Maddock (right), The Square Peg Restaurant & Bar and Stingy Alley, winner of the Most Votes Total, Favorite New/Original Mixed Drink and Bartender as a Therapist categories and second-place winner in the Mixology Live Competition.

: Marissa B Chillen, winner of the Favorite Multitasker award.

: Leah Stoddard, The 133 Club and Hot Club, recipient of the Favorite Dive Bar Bartender and Favorite Local Icon awards and runner-up for Most Votes Total and Jimmy Ridlen, What Cheer Tavern, recipient of the Funniest Bartender award.