Put Your Signature Drinks on the Map: 2027 Craft Cocktail Contest

Throughout February, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber & Visitor Bureau is hosting our annual Santa Maria Valley Craft Cocktail Contest—and we want your establishment at the center of it.

February can be a tricky month for hospitality, but this month-long celebration is built to drive real foot traffic through your doors. We bring locals and visitors in to sip your creations, vote for their favorites, and hype up your business online.

Whether you run a craft brewery, a cozy neighborhood spot, a winery tasting room, an upscale eatery, or a classic hotel bar, this is your chance to shine.

What’s New for 2027?

We’re making this year’s contest bigger, easier for your staff, and more inclusive for every customer who walks through your door:

• Mocktails Are In: To make sure every guest feels included, participating venues will offer one signature cocktail and one signature mocktail (non-alcoholic). Zero-proof drinks are huge right now—offering both keeps whole tables coming back and boosts check averages for designated drivers, non-drinkers, and families.

• Effortless QR Code Voting: No complex rules or staff hassle. We provide table tents with a simple QR code. Guests scan, cast a quick vote online, and they’re done.

• Built-in Social Media Buzz: After voting, guests are prompted to post a photo of their drink to Instagram or Facebook using #SMVCraftCocktail27 for a chance to win local gift cards. They get a prize, and your business gets free word-of-mouth exposure.

What You Get as a Participating Venue

We handle the heavy lifting so your team can focus on what they do best—hospitality. When you sign up, you get:

• Free 1-Hour Professional Photo Shoot: We’ll send a pro photographer to shoot high-resolution photos of your cocktail and mocktail entries. Bring out the garnishes, local ingredients, and cool glassware! After editing, we’ll send you a Flickr gallery link with full rights to use these images for your own social media and marketing all year long.

• Promotional Materials Provided: We print and deliver official QR-code table tents and posters straight to your door—no design work needed on your end.

• High-Visibility Web Spotlight: Premium exposure on SantaMariaValley.com with your address, drink photos, menu descriptions, and a direct backlink to drive online traffic to your website.

• Two Chances to Win: Compete for People’s Choice (voted directly by patrons) and Judges’ Choice (evaluated unannounced by our guest panel on creativity, balance, and presentation).

How It Works (4 Simple Steps)

1. Craft Your Pair: Create one signature cocktail and one signature mocktail that showcase the flavor and spirit of the Santa Maria Valley.

2. Register & Schedule Your Shoot: Sign up below by October 9, 2026, so we can schedule your photography session before February.

3. Set Out Table Tents & Serve: Display the provided QR code table tents on your bar and tables from February 1–28. Encourage guests to scan and vote!

4. Host the Judges: Keep your bartenders on their toes—our mystery judges will pop in during the month to rate your entries.

Ready to Join the Lineup?

Sign-ups are open now for Santa Maria Valley Chamber members.

Registration Deadline: October 9, 2026

Contest Dates: February 1–28, 2027