Bar rides off with sweepstakes at Rhinestone Cowboy

Bossier Art Council’s Rhinestone Cowboy Fundraiser was a night of fabulous food, wild western wear, great music and magical martinis. The most magical of them all was Bear’s Bar, with their Spiceyeehaw concoction winning the People’s Choice, the Judge’s Choice, and, to top it all off, the most M’Artisanal! It is the first time in ARTini’s history that this has happened, and Bear’s owner, Colton Johnson, couldn’t be prouder.

“It means that we worked very hard and produced a product that fueled good times and happiness! We really enjoy what we do at Bear’s, and that’s creating a fun and safe environment with delicious drinks and food. It means that we contributed to the community’s happiness and that’s what we do best!”

Sharing in the celebration with Colton, were his wife, Rachel, and Bear’s bartender, Haley Wren Horne, who has been with Bear’s six years. “I am beyond grateful to have been a part of this competition for the past four years. Winning this year was very sweet for me because I have seen this competition grow over time. I’ve come so far since my first days of bartending. Winning meant I had perfected my craft. The drink fit the theme. It was so special to me that I even used my own garden herbs for everyone to enjoy. Getting to interact with the lovely people attending the event is always my favorite part!”

Colton Johnson took over as owner/operator of Bear’s in January 2017. “I got us back open in March of 2017. Rachel, my wonderful wife, bartended and helped me run our day-to-day operations until she became a full-time RN a couple years ago.”

Spiceyeehaw Martini 1-2 muddled jalapeño slices, add ice 1.5 oz. peach vodka 2 oz. peach, cardamom and thyme syrup .5 oz. lemon juice and a sprinkle of Tajin Best enjoyed rimmed with Tajin and garnished with a fresh peach and home-grown thyme, which was the secret key. The thyme was grown in Bear’s garden and picked fresh that morning for the competition.

ARTini has been a part of Bear’s success over the years. “The first year we entered,” Colton says, ”the Pop Art ARTini at SciPort was one of our favorite years, and we won most M’Artisanal. We always have a story, meaning or secret ingredient behind our drinks that makes them unique and adds a little something special.” Colton also appreciates the exposure ARTini provides. “It introduces folks that have never heard of Bear’s to see what we bring to the table first-hand. We also feature the ARTini cocktail for several weeks after the event. Heck, we came up the night of ARTini and made people the drink that night.”

While next year is right around the corner, they are happily basking in this year’s accomplishment. “Thank you to all of the artists, glass painters, the community, BAC, competitors and everyone involved with this event,” Colton adds. “It has always been a favorite of ours since it is heavily designed around art and cocktails. Thank you to everyone that voted for us to make this incredible and historical win possible.” And those three amazing awards? “We’ll hang ‘em up behind the bar,” Colton says. “They are works of art, and we treat them as such.”

Bears is located at 1401 Fairfield Ave., in Shreveport. Its hours are Mon.-Thurs, 5 p.m.-2 a.m., and Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m.-3 a.m. You can find them at bearsfairfield.com or on social media.