Get ready to head down South next week — the popular New-Orleans styled charitable cocktail competition is back for its second year at Hotel Palomar’s newly renovated 25th-floor Burnham Ballroom.
The event comes from Philadelphia’s premier purveyor of custom men’s clothing, Henry A. Davidsen: Master Tailors & Image Consultants, and is presented in partnership with Bluebird Distilling, Square 1682 and Lucky Dog Studio. According to the release, the fundraiser will kick off Henry A. Davidsen’s Suit Drive Challenge, aimed at securing 7,500 donations of new and gently used men’s and women’s attire that supports the non-profit’s mission of providing a professional wardrobe to unemployed and low-income Philadelphians seeking employment. In 2018, Suits & Sazeracs raised over $5,000, and this year they are hoping to bring those numbers up by 50%.
“We’re thrilled to bring back Suits & Sazeracs — our popular cocktail competition and fundraiser benefitting Career Wardrobe,” said Henry A. Davidsen President and Founder, Brian Lipstein in a release. “We’re expanding the fundraiser so that we can not only provide high quality attire to those in need but much needed financial support, all while bringing Philadelphians together for a cocktail for a cause!”
This event will provide plenty of booze from some of the City of Brotherly Love’s top mixologists. All will be aiming to create their own unique spin on a New Orleans staple, the Sazerac (crafted with Bluebird Distilling’s Rye Whiskey for this event.)
Competing bartenders include Christian Diaz of Square 1682, Nicole Testa of Prohibition Taproom, Kelly Derrig of Standard Tap, RJ Arnold of Red Owl Tavern, Kevin Forge of Bud & Marilyn’s, Micah Edwards of Roy Pitz Barrel House, Chris Zingler of Destination Dogs and Tom Kwiatkwoski of Cook & Shaker.
Attendees will have the chance to cast their own vote for a “People’s Choice” award, while a panel of judges (including former Eagles player Fred Barnett, Bluebird Distilling’s Founder and Master Distiller Jared Adkins, and Henry A. Davidsen’s Brian Lipstein, a certified whiskey ambassador and bourbon steward himself) will be awarding the spirited contestants with a “Judges Choice” award as well. The release also states that guests will also have the opportunity to “buy” additional votes with 100% of proceeds benefitting Career Wardrobe. The winning bartender will be rewarded with a cash prize and products courtesy of Bluebird Distilling worth $500. Guests bringing clothing donations to the event will receive one bonus vote.
Aside from the delicious libations, there will also be New Orleans-inspired hors d’oeuvres from Square 1682’s Chef Mackenson Horebe for all to enjoy.
“When Brian reached out to us and asked if we wanted to be part of Suits & Sazeracs again this year, we didn’t think twice,” said Square 1682’s General Manager Daniel Tyrrell in the release. “It is important for us to give back to local organizations. And what better way than with a Sazerac in hand?”
The cocktails aren’t the only things getting judged at Suits & Sazeracs: Attendees can get in on the action to win “Men’s Best Dressed” and “Women’s Best Dressed,” judged by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Fashion & Lifestyle Columnist, Elizabeth Wellington, and Philadelphia-based fashion insider and influencer Brian Chan. Guests are encouraged to dress in their New Orleans best for the chance to receive gift certificates worth $300.
Suits & Sazeracs will take place Monday, Feb. 24 from 6 pm-9 pm at the Hotel Palomar Ballroom (117 S. 17th St.) Tickets ($65) are available through henrydavidsen.ticketleap.com and partial proceeds will go to benefitting Career Wardrobe.
