Inaugural Charleston’s Fastest Bartender Contest held Monday Nights in October at Ireland’s Own Irish Pub
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
For the first time ever, The Fastest Bartender Contest is coming to Charleston thanks to two-time national champion Billy Reilly, local restaurant and bar consultant Steve Carroll, and Doug Allison, who owns Ireland’s Own Irish & Jaegerhaus Pub, Southside 17, and Whiskey Jack’s in West Ashley.
Reilly, who received the national crown in Las Vegas in both 1991 and 1992, serves as “The Commissioner” for the event. “Nobody, but nobody, sees it closer than the commissioner!” says Reilly, belting out the catchphrase he coined at numerous competitions across the country over the last three decades. But before he was the Commissioner of the Fastest Bartender Contest, Reilly served as manager for Fishbowl Spirits, LLC, the spirits company privately owned by Kenney Chesney and VP of Sales and Marketing for Old Dominion Spirits. Reilly has rubbed elbows with (and served drinks to) numerous celebrities over the years. He jokes that his life has been like Forrest Gump’s, only he’s a bartender.
Known for his addictive energy, Reilly says bringing the competition to Charleston is special because the last couple years have been rough and to be able to hold live events again means a lot to the two-time national champion. The events will be held the first four Mondays in October at Ireland’s Own Irish Pub, located at 3025 Ashley Town Center Dr. The first event will kick off on Monday, Oct. 3 with other subsequent heats held Oct. 10 and Oct. 17. The winners from each of those first three week’s will move on to the finals round, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 24.
Each week, 12-15 contestants will face off in three rounds: shots, mixed drinks, and a seven-ingredient margarita. The winners of each week move on to the finals to be crowned Charleston’s Fastest Bartender. Speed and accuracy will be key to hearing the highly-desired trademarked “That’s a Good One!” from Reilly, who has brought the competition to several other cites across the country. The winner will receive a trophy, a cash prize, and bragging rights for a lifetime. The bartenders will be tested in three categories: Speed, Accuracy, and Finesse. So far there is a stellar line-up of competitiors signed up to vie for the title, including seasoned drink slingers from Saltwater Cowboys, Hall’s Chop House, Jack of Cups Saloon, Low Life, The Washout, Stones Throw Tavern, The Windjammer, Container Bar, Charleston Sports Pub, Southside 17, Ireland’s Own & Jaegerhaus Pub, Whiskey Jack’s, and more.
While it’s starting right here in West Ashley this year, Reilly says that they plan to take the competition citywide next year, with competitions for the fastest bartender in West Ashley, Downtown, Folly Beach, Mount Pleasant, etc. Then he plans to go statewide and eventually into North Carolina, so someone can be crowned Fastest Bartender in the Carolinas.
Steve Carroll, Reilly’s partner with Carolina’s Fastest Bartender, has been involved in bars and restaurants in the Lowcountry for more than 30 years. He says these events will have the feel of the old school, close-knit feel of “F&B nights” or “Sin Nights” back before Charleston’s restaurant scene exploded into international acclaim.
“You’re going to have people coming out and rooting for their people from their bar. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” says Carroll. Not only that, but part of the proceeds from the contest will be donated to local charities Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary and West Ashley’s own Pattison’s Academy. Hallie Hill is a safe haven and rehab center for animals with no home where they are taken care of and nursed back to health to help them find a new FUR-ever home. Pattison’s Academy is a non-profit dedicated to creating programs and providing help to children with disabilities and their families.
For more information or to register to compete, contact Billy Reilly at (202) 439-2001 or cme4ale@aol.com.
