The 3 Best Bartenders Around Winchester

Skilled bartenders do more than mix drinks—they curate experiences, introduce guests to new flavors and keep the evening flowing smoothly. According to the United States Bartenders’ Guild, professional bartending elevates customer satisfaction scores by up to 30 percent, making the right pour as important as the perfect ambiance. Here are the Star Awards finalists shaking, stirring and serving in Winchester:

Kara Kenyon || Winchester Elks Lodge 867

Kara Kenyon tends bar in the Elks Lodge lounge, where members and guests gather for weekly trivia nights, karaoke and community fundraisers. The lodge’s website highlights its full‑service bar stocked with regional craft beers and seasonal cocktails. Kenyon is known for her signature “Elk’s Old Fashioned,” featuring locally distilled rye and a house‑made cherry syrup. She also manages the lodge’s fellowship events—coordinating beverage pairings for bingo nights and holiday dinners.

Greg Armstrong || Hideaway Cafe

At Hideaway Cafe, Greg Armstrong blends creative cocktails with the café’s farm‑to‑table ethos. The menu features small‑batch spirits and fresh‑pressed juices; Greg’s fall favorite is the “Apple Blossom Smash,” which marries apple cider, bourbon and cinnamon‑thyme simple syrup. He keeps pace with happy‑hour crowds by rotating guest beers on tap and teaching occasional cocktail‑making classes in the upstairs event loft. Armstrong’s attention to local sourcing reinforces Hideaway’s commitment to Shenandoah Valley producers.

Scott Randolph || Winchester Ciderworks

Scott Randolph guides patrons through Winchester Ciderworks’ nine ciders on draft, from crisp English‑style bitters to barrel‑aged dessert blends. The venue showcases a tasting room with communal tables and live‑music weekends. Randolph leads “Cider Flights & Bites” pairings—matching ciders with house‑made charcuterie and regional cheeses—and hosts seasonal release parties, such as the Pumpkin Spice Cider kickoff each October. His deep knowledge of fermentation helps guests appreciate cider beyond the standard sweet‑and‑tart profile.

Thanks, ChatGPT.