Nomads Music Lounge to Host Ozark Mixology & Arts Festival Opening Night

WORDS / ASHTON ELEY

Get ready for some crafty cocktails prepared by the next up and coming bartenders and mixologists of Northwest Arkansas. The Ozark Mixology & Arts Festival is back, and Nomads Music Lounge will house the opening night festivities starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13.

The Art in a Bottle launch party for this now three-day festival will feature live music by Jr. Box and Youth Pastor as well as the ceramic Ozark Mixology Decanter Trophy release created by Mikayla Hoffman, the lounge’s January featured artist and an University of Arkansas Alumni.

This marks the third annual mixology competition for Best in NWA and is the first year Nomads has hosted.

“Since we founded Ozark Mixology in 2013, we have used multiple venues for the competition and for educational events,” said Jeremey Brown, founder of Nomads and the NWA Mixology Competition. “But since Nomads open in 2015, we have had a home base to teach out of and create special events with 100 percent freedom.”

Hundreds of people from the service industry have turned out for both the 2015 and 2016 events. They are expecting between 600 and 1000 people between the five venues: Bordinos, Sideways, Cannibal and Craft, The Nines and Nomads. Brown said he is ready for the crowd.

“Nomads does about 300 events a year, so being able to do a packed house event is something they are used to,” he said. “Though the competition will have limited tickets, we are hoping the extra two days of tasting and educational events will provide an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the weekend.”

For the Art in a Bottle event, Brown, Nomads’ chef Brittany Cusanek and Jaydee Menchui of Arkan-Somm will be mixing the first ever Arkansas Bozal Mezcal along with Barritt’s Ginger Beer, Bacardi 8 Year, Havana Club Rum and BackYard Marry Bloody Mix, Brown said.

The weekend will end with the mixology competition where attendees can cast their votes for the next up and coming bartender. Tickets for Friday’s launch part are $6 and for Sunday’s competition are $14. The all-inclusive, three-day pass is $27 on eventbrite.com, though only a few tickets remain. The event is open to the public, but attendees must be 21 or older.