Joel Vazquez Rivera has consistently distinguished himself in the world of mixology by competing in and triumphing at numerous premier bartending competitions both in Puerto Rico and internationally. His accolades span from local achievements to representing Puerto Rico in prestigious events across the globe, including competitions in Peru, Finland, Las Vegas, the Caribbean, and Central America. Fueled by a passion for the craft, Rivera is now pioneering the creation of strategic events aimed at enhancing the skills of bartenders and fostering a spirit of camaraderie within the industry.

Since the early 1990s, we have been at the forefront of curating bartender competitions, such as Showtenders, Searching for the Legend, Christmas Flair, Flair Master, the IRSI Bartender Challenge, US Flair Open, and newly introduced events like Mixo Madness and Speed for Tips. These competitions have been pivotal in uniting the finest local bartenders, challenging them to excel and earn their place in a grand finale with the potential to win substantial prizes, including cash awards exceeding $5,000.

Acknowledging the evolving landscape of mixology, Joel Vazquez Rivera—a visionary in competitive event planning—recognized the urgent need for transformation and unity within our craft.

Our long-standing commitment to orchestrating bartender competitions has always aimed to push the boundaries of mixology and propagate the richness of cocktail culture, fostering a robust and interconnected community.

The entire industry was grounded when Puerto Rico was devastated by a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, leading to the unavoidable cancellation of our eagerly anticipated competition. However, the spirit of our competitors, who had already qualified for the finals, and those who intended to journey from afar to showcase their talents alongside our local mixologists, remained undaunted. In a stirring display of solidarity, they proposed redirecting the competition's prize fund to a charity supporting victims of the hurricane.

This remarkable gesture marked the inception of the Pig & Rum Bar Family United initiative—a testament to the resilience and collective heart of the bartending fraternity.

In the wake of this disaster, Joel Vazquez Rivera, aligned with the Crafted Barrel Group (CBG), forwent the prospect of a grand stage he was accustomed to. Instead, he channeled his efforts into a new venture, La Casita de Rones. This establishment is more than a bar—it is a beacon, a place designed to convene the industry's finest in a collective space to rebuild, inspire, and rise stronger together.