Stratford bartender wins his first-ever cocktail competition

Relic Lobby Bar's Logan Johnson walks away with first place win at his first ever bartending commission in Kitchener.

When Logan Johnson walked into the November Willi-Brawl Cocktail Competition, he wasn’t expecting to win – mostly because he’d never competed before. But by the end of the night, the Stratford bartender walked away with first place and a big moment for the Relic Lobby Bar.

The regional competition brought together bartenders from across southwestern Ontario in a fast-paced, high-energy event, with proceeds supporting Community Fridge KW. Third place went to Sammson Ruby of Odd Duck in Kitchener, second to Joshua Cuellar of Grand Trunk Saloon, and first to Johnson.

At Relic, the excitement was immediate. Owner Ulises Sanchez said the win felt like a team celebration.

“We try to work together as a team to create an environment that promotes excitement and craftsmanship,” Sanchez said. “We push our bartenders to go to competitions and perform to the best of their abilities. Seeing the win means we’re encouraging that energy – helping them grow, learn new things and feel proud of what they do.”

“Bringing a win to Stratford – it’s kind of fun!” he added. “I’m excited for Logan, but also excited for what this brings to our staff and to our community. It’s nice to keep the cocktail culture alive here.”

The final round of the competition included a “mystery box,” where bartenders had to create something on the spot using a surprise ingredient. Johnson crafted a twist on the classic Clover Club: Willibald pink gin, Lillet Rosé, cherry vanilla syrup, lemon juice, egg white and a bitters garnish, earned him the top spot.

“I don't have too much experience working behind professional bars,” Johnson admitted. “I got my start making cocktails at home when I turned 19. Coming into the competition, I was really nervous, but once I made it to the second round, the confidence kind of kicked in.”

His experience downstairs at the Lost Key – where cocktails are made entirely based on the customer’s preferences – ended up being the perfect training ground.

“We don't have a cocktail menu downstairs,” he said. “We talk to customers, get a feel for what they like, and build something around that. So I was pretty well prepared for that part of the competition.”

Working alongside the Relic team, Johnson said he never felt alone in the process.

“Having someone like Ulises is great. He gave me so much good advice and helped me prepare. I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.

Johnson’s love for cocktails started long before he ever stepped behind a bar.

“I was into the James Bond movies when I was younger, so watching them make cocktails always looked cool to me,” he said. That interest grew after seeing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character regrets drinking too many whiskey sours. “I was like, what’s a whiskey sour? So I learned how to make one at home – and it snowballed from there.”

He first came to Stratford two years ago to watch Rent. After a not-so-good martini at dinner, he searched for a bar that could redeem the experience. That search led him to Relic – and to Sanchez.

“When I walked through the doors, I was absolutely blown away by the back bar,” Johnson said. “I thought, this spot is for me. I have to work here one day.”

He ordered an “obscure classic cocktail” that Sanchez hadn’t heard of at the time. Sanchez tasted it, came over to chat, and a couple of years later, Johnson joined the team.

Johnson isn’t slowing down. He plans to enter an Instagram-based cocktail competition with a grand prize trip to France – and he’s hoping for more wins for Relic along the way.

To follow his cocktail journey, find him on Instagram @ljmixology, and follow Relic @thereliclobbybar.