PHOTOS: Raise a Glass: Columbia Hosts Second Annual Capital City Cocktail Competition

Contestants showcased their skills at the second annual Capital City Cocktail Competition in Columbia, S.C., hosted by Bubblee Mixologist. The event featured three rounds of challenges: classical cocktails, ingredient-based, and international South Carolina fusion. Judges selected the best cocktails while attendees enjoyed curated drinks and bites, supporting local industry bartenders and nonprofit organizations.

Patrons gather around the patio, waiting for the Capital City Cocktail Competition to begin on June 9, 2024. The event, hosted by Bubblee Mixologist, highlighted the Midlands' industry creatives and their unique craftsmanship and innovation.

Crystal Stevens, a bartender at ITM Bartending, talks to a patron before the Capital City Cocktail Competition on June 9, 2024. Attendees enjoyed curated craft cocktails at the Palmetto Patio during the competition.

Rachel Mendez, a bartender at the Moxy Hotel, shakes drinks during the first round of the Capital City Cocktail Competition on June 9, 2024. The second annual event featured three rounds for attendees and judges to taste.

Raynaldy Rodriguez, who bartends at Boku Kitchen and Saloon, smiles as he hands a drink to a patron during the first round of the competition on June 9, 2024. The Capital City Cocktail Competition allowed patrons to enjoy drinks made by different Columbia bartenders.

Eboni Page smiles and talks to other judges during the competition on June 9, 2024. Page is an award-winning mixologist and judge of the Capital City Cocktail Competition, as well as the owner of Bubblee Mixologist.

Eboni Page, Angel Simpson and Shalini Kanuganti smile for a picture while tasting contestants' drinks during the competition on June 9, 2024. The Capital City Cocktail Competition had three rounds: classical cocktails, ingredient-based and international South Carolina fusion.

Shalini Kanuganti holds one of the contestants' drinks during the competition on June 9, 2024. The Capital City Cocktail Competition was hosted on the rooftop Palmetto Patio, overlooking Main Street.

Crystal Stevens, a bartender at ITM Bartending, pours an Old Fashioned during the initial rounds of the Capital City Cocktail Competition on June 9, 2024. The event, hosted by Bubblee Mixologist, highlighted Columbia's vibrant creative community.

Brooklyn McCloskey smiles after winning second place in the Capital City Cocktail Competition on June 9, 2024. As one of the two winners, McCloskey received an array of cocktail ingredients.

Grant McCloskey, the bar manager at The Hollow on Gervais, displays his prize after winning the competition on June 9, 2024. As one of the two winners, McCloskey received an array of cocktail ingredients packaged in a Yeti cooler.