The 2014 Bartenders Ball was held on October 19 at the Copacabana on West 47th Street. Attendees enjoyed cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing, and open bar.
Honored at the ball were bartender Frankie Cocktail; Justin Buchanan and Hardware and Pieces, the bars he co-owns with Eric Einstein; playwright and “icon” Anthony Wilkinson, author of “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” and other works; and entertainer Gusty Winds.
Lois McIntosh, who passed away earlier in the month and was the co-founder of Cherry’s at the Bay, in Cherry Grove, with longtime life partner Meryl Facterman, was fondly remembered here by her friend and colleague Johny Pool, while the song “The Way We Were” played in the background. Celeste Belletti played and sang “Wind Beneath My Wings” in Lois’ memory.
Celeste also provided music during much of the rest of the evening.