Olympia bartenders compete in national Speed Rack competition

By Nikki McCoy on February 5, 2013

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Three Olympia bartenders - Lisa David from Quality Burrito, Katie Rains from former Cicada and Sherilyn Lightner from Mercato - are headed to Seattle to show off there margarita- and Manhattan-making skills at Speed Rack, an all-female bartending competition to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. For the past three months Speed Rack has been searching the country for the fastest female bartenders in the states. Sunday, in Seattle, 18 "Mixtresses" from Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Olympia's power trio will throw-down.

Speed Rack is in its second season of competition. Last year it raised nearly $70,000. The final contestants will head to New York City this May.

"OK ... how I'm feeling in three words - nervous, excited and focused!" exclaims Lightner, who has tattoos, Bettie Page bangs and is known to call her regulars "Bar Butterflies."

The 18 female bartenders will compete round-robin style, on speed, accuracy, taste and presentation. The women must be prepared to mix four drinks from a list of 50 time-honored cocktails.

"I spent a lot of time fine tuning and perfecting my Old Fashioned, and I've got it dialed in," says Lightner.

Entry donation includes sample drinks and appetizers courtesy of sponsors. All proceeds go to support breast cancer research.

CENTURY BALLROOM, SUNDAY, FEB. 10, 3-7 P.M., $20 ADVANCE, $25 DOOR, 915 E. PINE, SEATTLE