Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets to ‘A Bronx Tale,’ performing April 25 to June 16.
Babylon just went back-to-back.
Tres Palms bartender Nicolle Leitke was the victor in the second annual GLI Bartender Battle, which took place Wednesday at Lily Flanagan’s. Dan Bartley of Mary Carroll’s was the inaugural winner.
In a three-round cocktail-off, Leitke defeated Ernie Liebow of George Martin The Original.
The two finalists were each asked to create a Manhattan, espresso vodka martini and margarita for three judges who then determined the winner of the 2024 Golden Shaker for Long Island’s Greatest Bartender.
The judges were:
- Erin Colton of News 12 Long Island (celebrity judge)
- Dan Bartley of Mary Caroll’s in Babylon (2023 champion)
- Pietro Faetanini of Michaelangelo’s Wine Bar in Massapequa (industry veteran and consummate pro)
Both Leitke (Suffolk) and Liebow (Nassau) advanced to the finals through thousands of online votes from their supporters, recognizing them for their exceptional work behind the bar.
Below are scenes from the day, shot by GLI photographer Andrew Theodorakis.
The event, sponsored by Main Street Menu Club, was hosted by social media personality and Long Island realtor Amanda Palmeri. Bobby Digital was also on hand performing popular drinking songs.
