SpeedRailz Tournament Onboarding Details
(Read Below to find out more about SpeedRailz, upcoming tournament details, media day benefits, access to the "Railz Chat" & onboarding payment link)
If you don't need to read anything you can just click below to submit payment and onboard
Welcome to SpeedRailz
Growing Bartender competition community that is more about skillset development, relationships and brand building than speed....But we still like faste bartenders
SpeedRailz isn't just a competition; it's a revolution in the bartending industry, designed to showcase, support, and elevate bartenders from all walks of life. By focusing on speed, creativity, and precision, SpeedRailz offers a dynamic platform for bartenders to demonstrate their skills in a fast-paced, head-to-head format. This competition transcends traditional bartending contests, offering not only a chance to win substantial cash prizes but also unparalleled opportunities for professional development, brand exposure, and community engagement.
Competition Structure: At its core, SpeedRailz is simplicity meets adrenaline. Competitors line up at their service wells, ready for action. The race kicks off with the MC's signal, followed by the bartender activating the stop clock and revealing their drink ticket—detailing 3 cocktails and 6 shots. It's a direct clash of talent, with bartenders adhering to stringent rules to avoid time penalties, all under the watchful eyes of their peers and an enthusiastic audience. (Updated Rules and Guidelines will be communicated in the state wide competitor group chat)
We have two game formats as our foundation:
Last Man Standing: A tournament in which bartenders face off against each other in face-to-face sudden death battles until only one remains
The “Captains Run” Relay:
- Teams of 3 bartenders each are formed. In these rounds each bartender is responsible for one cocktail and one round of shots.
- The teams to make it to finals will face off and then afterwards each team will pick a champion to face off as a solo competitor.
- The average between the teams final round and their selected champions final round will be the teams total round time.
- The team with the lowest total time is the winner of the tournament.
The Competition Onboarding Fee for Bartenders
At SpeedRailz, our mission goes far beyond crowning the fastest bartender; it's about creating a community-driven platform that delivers real, lasting value to all participating bartenders. Across cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas, we've seen how our unique approach has led to incredible opportunities for our community members. From landing guest bartending gigs and event curation roles to gaining new skillsets and knowledge that aren’t typically accessible in their home venues, SpeedRailz is transforming the bartending industry from the inside out.
One of the standout features of SpeedRailz is our commitment to investing in the bartenders themselves. Unlike other competitions that focus solely on brand visibility, our goal is to empower bartenders by providing them with the resources, exposure, and professional development they need to elevate their careers. Our onboarding fee for competing bartenders plays a crucial role in making this happen. This fee ensures that we can offer top-notch media days, personalized portraits, training sessions, and an environment that is built for success, not just spectacle.
The onboarding fee also helps us maintain a high level of commitment and professionalism among competitors. It encourages bartenders to take the preparation seriously, to put in the effort needed to excel, and to respect the time and energy of everyone involved in organizing these events. When bartenders invest their time and resources in SpeedRailz, they’re entering an ecosystem designed to give back — through skill development, industry networking, and new opportunities that extend well beyond competition day.
In short, SpeedRailz is here to uplift bartenders and make sure their efforts lead to tangible, career-enhancing outcomes. If you’re willing to invest your time, we’re here to provide you with a platform that amplifies your talent and connects you with a supportive, growth-oriented community.
SpeedRailz November Relay Tournament Campaign
Get ready for an exciting month of qualifying matches across Texas, leading up to our grand One-Year Anniversary Main Event on December 3rd at FAO in Houston! This tournament series is designed to test your speed, accuracy, and bartending skills, while also offering incredible media opportunities and networking experiences.
Campaign Schedule
- November 5th: Houston Qualifying Match at FAO
- November 19th: Dallas Qualifying Match at Hide Bar (Greenville)
- November 25th: Austin Qualifying Match at Pinballz Kingdom South
- November 26th: South Houston Qualifying Match at McIntyre’s Webster
- December 3rd: Main Event at FAO in Houston
For each city, we’ll be hosting qualifying matches in the afternoon around 3 PM (4:30 PM for McIntyre’s Webster) to accommodate bartenders who may have evening shifts.
Note: If you want to arrive early for practice rounds, we’ll discuss coordinating this in the "Railz Chat".
- Onboarding & Information Hub
We've created an additional resource for competitors and community members called the "Railz Chat". This community resource will guide you through everything you need to know before competing (rule sets, bar pictures and even opportunities to connect with others). Once you’re onboarded, the Railz Chat will be your main resource for event logistics, content sharing, and Q&A. - Instagram Group Chat
We know that not everyone will have access to Railz Chat at all times, so we’ll also start an Instagram group chat for quick updates and communication. However, the Railz Chat will remain the central hub for everything SpeedRailz-related.
Qualifying Tournament Structure
Our qualifying tournament is designed to rank bartenders based on their ability to prepare cocktails and shots under pressure, following the official SpeedRailz rules. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare and perform at your best:
Competition Format
- 1.Cocktails & Shots to Make:
- Cocktails: Cosmopolitan and Old Fashioned
- Shots: Lemon Drop (served in pairs) and Water Moccasin (served in pairs)
- Each drink must be prepared quickly and accurately, with speed as a key factor but without sacrificing quality.
- 1.Practice Bottles:
- During the qualifying rounds, we’ll be using practice bottles filled with water instead of real alcohol. Each bottle will be clearly labeled and taped to represent different spirits, ensuring you can focus on your speed and accuracy.
- Familiarize yourself with our taped bottle system before the tournament. This setup allows you to practice and get comfortable with bottle identification.
Judging & Verification
- SpeedRailz Rules: Our judges will score you based on our official competition guidelines, which factor in speed, precision, and proper execution. This includes correctly handling garnishes, following specific pouring techniques, and resetting your station.
- Video Playback: We will record each round for playback and verification purposes. This ensures fair and accurate judging and gives us the ability to review any close calls or discrepancies.
Strategy & Team Formation
- We’ll give every competitor a chance to complete the qualifying round and earn their best possible time.
- Top 6 Selection: The six fastest times will advance to the main tournament. From there, we will form two teams of three:
- Team 1: Bartenders ranked #1, #3, and #6
- Team 2: Bartenders ranked #2, #4, and #5
- This structure ensures a balanced competition and brings together bartenders with a mix of skills and experience.
- We will rank the 8 teams from qualifying tournament collectively to build out our final tournament bracket for the main event. The final matches will feature our full drink recipe guide and real alcohol.
- Post-Event Cash Pot Tournaments (Time Permitting)
For those who can stick around, we may run additional mini-tournaments where bartenders contribute to a cash pot. Think of this as a fun, high-stakes bonus round!
Preparation & Practice
- We’ve compiled practice strategies and tips inside the “Resources” channel of the Railz Chat. Use these resources to fine-tune your speed, understand common challenges, and develop techniques to maximize efficiency.
- Practice your Cosmo, Old Fashioned, Lemon Drop shots, and Water Moccasins to improve your times and be prepared for the tournament atmosphere.
Reminder: Even if you don’t make it to the main event, participating in this qualifying tournament is a valuable experience and you will be given VIP tickets to the main tournament ($25 value and comes with 3 drinks). You’ll get to network with other bartenders, learn from industry experts, and gain insights that can help you improve your bartending skillsets.
Qualifying Tournament Participation Benefits
Tasting Workshop by Primary Sponsor Live Oak Vodka
We’ll kick off each qualifying event with an educational tasting workshop hosted by our sponsor, Live Oak Vodka. Get hands-on experience with the product and learn how to craft unique, crowd-pleasing cocktails.
Media Day in Partnership with Piercing Media
Your brand matters! We’re collaborating with Matt (Owner of Piercing Media) to capture high-quality content. This includes headshots and live-action photos of you competing. Use this media to elevate your personal brand and attract new opportunities.
Benefits of Professional Portraits for Bartenders
In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool for bartenders to boost their visibility and generate new business opportunities. Yet, many bartenders who rely on this profession as their main source of income aren’t using these platforms effectively. Here’s where having high-quality portraits can make a significant difference:
- 1.Elevate Your Professional Image
These portraits provide you with a polished, professional look that can make you stand out to potential employers, clients, and event organizers. Whether you’re applying for a bartending job or pitching yourself for a private event, looking professional adds credibility to your brand. - 2.Attract Private Bartending & Event Opportunities
With high-quality images, you can market yourself for private bartending gigs and special events. Action shots of you bartending give potential clients a sense of your energy, skill, and passion for the craft, making you a more attractive hire for parties and high-profile events. - 3.Social Media & Personal Branding
Use these portraits to create a compelling social media presence. Posting professional photos of yourself in action behind the bar shows your commitment to your craft and engages your audience, which can lead to more followers, more recommendations, and ultimately, more business. - 4.Versatility & Personalization
We provide both straight-up, professional headshots and dynamic action shots of you bartending. This way, you’ll have a versatile collection of images to use for job applications, event pitches, social media content, and even promotional flyers for your own brand.
- Brand Introduction Interview: A video interview expanding your brand that will be shot and edited by our team
- Social Media Exposure: Featured clips on SpeedRailz Instagram and YouTube Channel
- Individualized Team Flyers: Elevating your professional image across digital platforms.
- Behind-The-Scenes Event Operational Access: Exclusive insight into event preparations and the community behind the scenes.
- Event Day Recap: Access to photography and video highlights, perfect for enhancing your digital footprint.