Best Bartender/Mixologist

After journeyman gigs at OTP's Trattoria 141 and Buckhead's Prohibition, Kevin Bragg has fully come into his own behind the decks at 4th & Swift. The Old Fourth Ward eatery doubles as Bragg's personal laboratory for concocting an impressive array of bitters, tinctures, and other spicy and herbaceous potions. But beyond their quirky ingredients - lemongrass-black sesame syrup and sage-infused Pinot Blanc reduction, to name a couple - Bragg's beverages are models of control and balance, creating a delightful interplay of flavors that can only be the product of hours of experimentation and a gift for counterintuitive blending. In other words, his drinks are damn tasty, down to the final sip. And, while Bragg is serious about cocktails, he manages to remain polite and composed when someone orders a Grey Goose and cranberry. Now that takes talent. less...

Back when Paul Calvert worked at the Sound Table, he was a great mixologist. His drinks were remarkable, but when the place filled up, the frenzied pace of a dance club didn't match the careful construction of Calvert's drinks. He could seem a little ... grumpy. Now that Calvert's at Pura Vida, he's a whole new man. His drinks are as good as ever, and he now has the time to be the gracious, knowledgeable, friendly host we always knew he could be. Calvert has gone beyond mixology to become a great bartender. 656 N. Highland Ave. 404-870-9797. puravidatapas.com. less...

“It’s the name of the car, not me!” Sure, CARLA, we believe you ... maybe. “Ms. Kitty” is her convertible, and in our estimation, her combination of sexy and stiff — as in drinks, you pervs — makes Carla a purrfect bartender. Although she cut out the late-night hours at the Vortex a few years ago, the dark-haired mama with the tavern-tinged voice and sassy smile still serves ’em strong for the weekday regulars at the L5P location. less...

"It's the name of the car, not me!" Sure, CARLA, we believe you ... maybe. "Ms. Kitty" is her convertible, and in our estimation, her combination of sexy and stiff - as in drinks, you pervs - makes Carla a purrfect bartender. Although she cut out the late-night hours at the Vortex a few years ago, the dark-haired mama with the tavern-tinged voice and sassy smile still serves 'em strong for the weekday regulars at the L5P location. less...