Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/6221
30 / the tasting panel / january–february 2010 B uilt by bartenders for bartend- ers, the Radio Room/Bartender Exchange was created by Aidan Demarest, Director of Bever- ages and Spirits at The Edison in Los Angeles, and Marcos Tello, founder and Chairman of beverage craft guild The Sporting Life. As the cocktail scene in Los An- geles grew, Downtown L.A. was at the forefront of the wave. Aidan and Marcos created Radio Room out of their desire to collaborate with mixologists from other cities. What started as a monthly clubhouse for 60 to 100 mixologists is now an every- other-month 500-person event with up to four visiting bartenders. At each Radio Room, the mix mavens have fun playing with vintage hand- crafted cocktails. A true speakeasy environment is created with vintage glassware and punch bowls; period dress is encouraged. In addition to the visiting bartenders, each Radio Room showcases a beverage brand sponsor* and features live music from unique bands and daring cabaret perfor- mances. A portion of each evening's proceeds is donated to a non-profit. As Aidan explains, "Radio Room is a way for Los Angeles to really shine and an excellent way for a brand to get its products into the hands of some of the best mixologists around the country—and for industry mem- bers, as well as consumers, to taste great cocktails." The Edison is one of the most im- pressive cocktail spaces in the world, and by incorporating bartenders from other cities, "the communication among mixologists has strengthened. They are utilizing shared information to maximize their own bar programs across the country," says Aidan. Cre- ating a virtual underground railroad of cocktails, Marcos, Aidan and most of The Sporting Life bartenders have also traveled to other cities to partici- pate in the Bartender Exchange, man- aged by The Sporting Life L.A. —Allison Levine *For brand sponsorship opportunities, email aidan.volstead@gmail.com. 2009 Visiting Bartenders Alex Day, New York Danny Valdez, New Orleans Ricky Gomez, New Orleans Kirk Estopinal, New Orleans Eric Castro, San Francisco John Lermeyer, Miami Amanda Gager, Las Vegas Jenifer Contraveos, Chicago Jeff Morganthaler, Seattle Ryan Magarian, Seattle Damien Windsor, Los Angeles Simon Ford, London Jaqueline Patterson, San Francisco John Gertsen, Boston Misty Kalkofen, Boston Richie Boccato, New York Peter Vestino, Chicago 2009 Los Angeles Bartenders Jason Bran Joe Brook Eric Alperin Chris Bostwick Chris Ojeida Juan Sevilla The next Radio Room at The Edison takes place on February 23, 2010 8:00 p.m. $10 cover; tickets available at the door. www.edisondowntown.com MixoLoGy broadcast booze MixoLoGiStS acroSS tHE country arE tunEd to tHE frEquEncy of radio room at tHE EdiSon Aidan Demarest, Director of Beverages and Spirits at The Edison.