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The Round 1 results have been verified, and these eight Long Island bartenders have just moved closer to getting crowned Long Island’s Best Bartender of 2024. But first, here was the initial bracket:

The winners

NASSAU

• Kevin of Mr. Beery’s defeated Jose of Frida’s Mexican with 59% of the vote
• Sam of Bar Grazie defeated Dan of The Headliner with 55%
• Ernie of George Martin defeated German of Garden City Hotel with 60%
• Jeff of Elsie Lane defeated Dan of Toast Long Beach with 59%

SUFFOLK

• Nicolle of Tres Palms defeated Paul of Harp & Hound with 60% of the vote
• Jake of Joelle Barroom defeated Alyse of Flanagan’s with 52%
• Waylon of Tommy’s Place defeated A.J. of Cheesecake Factory with 56%
• Jonathan of WhiskeyNeat defeated Rocco of Southampton Social with 62%                       

Here were the Top 5 vote-getters by the numbers:

1. Nicolle Leitke: 1,054
2. Jake Byrne: 953
3. Alyse Marrero: 914
4. Jon Henderson: 839
5. Waylon Laird: 806

Notables

Jon Henderson won by the biggest margin in the contest, and it was over his buddy Rocco DeCarlo. Both bartenders ran really fun Instagram campaigns.

Jake Byrne had a monster lead most of the race, until Alyse Marrero voters came ripping back, but she fell just short. Alyse would have won if she was pitted against anyone other than Jake, or Nicole.

Kevin Mundy’s bar, Mr. Beery’s in Bethpage, was offering free shots for votes.

Dan Fisher, while he lost, campaigned hard, even walking around NYC with a QR code.

What’s next?

Voting for Round 2 of what’s now an eight-bartender bracket will run from noon on Wednesday, March 20, until noon on Sunday, March 25. Check back with Greater Long Island and follow @greaterlongisland on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to follow along. We’re also @Greater_LI on X.

Polling will happen online-only until the Final Two bartenders compete in a live cocktail-off this April at Lily’s in Babylon. Those bartenders will be asked to create a Manhattan, margarita and an espresso vodka martini for judges who will determine who hoists the Golden Shaker.

Congrats to all the Round 1 winners! And thanks for voting.