Judges
Niccole Trzaska
Niccole Trzaska is a New York-based bar industry expert who has garnered a wealth of acclaim and a significant, loyal following for her style, personality and expertise behind the bar at some of New York’s most iconic cocktail and nightlife hotspots.
A former model who has been featured in high-profile publications such as Maxim Magazine and is also the face of Nina shoes, Trzaska has turned her beauty, personality, and skills towards endearing herself with local and national press on a trade level and consumer level, featured in publications from Playboy to Marie Claire as well as the industry’s must-read Bar Business Magazine. Trzaska also at one point topped The New York Post’s “Top 25 Sexiest” list.
Trzaska’s first years in the industry began at the historic Aubar working for the legendary Howard Stein, former owner of Xenon, which was parallel to the famed Studio 54. Her undeniable skills as a mixologist where praised and fostered by industry gurus who took her around the world showcasing her liquid talents, sharing them while educating others in the cocktail and nightlife industry.
Other notable highlights for Trzaska include her work opening all of the sexy and stylish venues with the Tao/Strategic Group in their New York Nightlife department of the Dream Downtown, where she also held the keys to the most exclusive VIP room in New York City, the Electric Room. Peers, media, and VIPs alike praised her skills working “the hardest room in New York City.”
Trzaska also put her mark on the New York scene with LDV Hospitality, where she was the Director of Beverage at Number 8, a re-branding of Amy Sacco’s famous New York must-be-seen nightspot Bungalow 8.
Trzaska can currently be found shaking it up and overseeing the beverage and VIP program at The Liberty NYC, located in midtown Manhattan, where her creativity, spirit and passion for the industry shine on a daily and nightly basis.
Jeff Isaacson
Jeff Isaacson has always been an innovator and a leader in the nightlife and hospitality industry and continues to do as a Corporate Director with Ark Restaurants, overseeing over 20 venues with 40 million dollars in annual beverage revenue throughout the country.
Isaacson’s iconic career prior to Ark began at the helm of the Midnight Oil Company as Managing Partner, where began his rapid ascent in the cutthroat industry of nightlife and hospitality.
Later, as Managing Partner for the world-renowned Gerber Group, Isaacson oversaw day-to-day operations for the company's numerous venues across the globe. Isaacson personally directed the successful expansion and openings of over 25 properties for Gerber Group during his tenure.
Isaacson was instrumental in helping define and create what would become the nation's first generation of boutique hotel lounges and bars with Gerber Group. In addition, Isaacson developed the industry's first, "National Prestige Account" liquor program; these accomplishments have been his “signature” in the industry – a signature that still resonates amongst his peers and competitors today.
Other Isaacson footprints in the industry include his experience with The Whiskey at The Paramount Hotel, New York; The Sunset Marquis, Los Angeles; and The Carlyle Hotel, Miami, where he was helped pioneer the renaissance of South Beach as a nightlife destination.
Other standout experiences include: Director of Operations at M80/Match in South Hampton; partner in Bar None South Beach and partner in Big Sur New York; General Manager with the originator of upscale sports bars, The Sporting Club New York; and Food Service Director of Bergdorf Goodman and Goldman Sachs New York, serving over 2,000 meals daily.
Isaacson is a frequent contributor and commentator to many industry trade media publications and local and national news outlets, along with being featured as a key note speaker and garnering numerous awards for his leadership and excellence in the nightlife and hospitality industry.
Kyle Thousand
Kyle Thousand is the Head Bartender and General Manager of the Oakland Art Novelty Company in Ferndale, Michigan. Starting with humble beginnings in corporate serving jobs & high volume bars, he soon found a love an admiration for the craft behind bartending, which led him to working at Metro Detroit's first craft cocktail bar.
After finishing the Bar Smarts program, he devoted himself to learning as much as he could about spirits and craft cocktails, joining the United States Bartender's Guild Greater Detroit Chapter and attending tastings and private distillery tours while advancing the Oaklands formidable whiskey & vintage spirits selection.
Through the Oakland he was able to compete locally, nationally, and globally in competitions, earning a slot with other finalists in Singapore at the Peter F. Heering Sling Award in 2015 with his cocktail, The Bengal Sling. When he isn't behind the bar at the Oakland, Kyle spends his time working with the areas top chefs in crafting cocktails to be paired with foods for private menus, as well as working with different liquor distribution companies to create the perfect cocktail for their events.
Throughout his bartending career he has focused intensely on using the perfect spirit, freshest ingredients, and providing top notch service to every guest that walks in the door, surprising them with unusual and unique cocktails and spirits.