Edmonds bar owners settle October cocktail rivalry by one vote

Kelnero in Edmonds secured first place in the October Battle of the Bars by a single vote. The monthly competition pits the two bars owned by Kali and Kris Kelnero against one another. They are located less than a mile apart on Main Street and 5th Avenue South.

The final score for the October round, which featured the Zombie cocktail, closed as Halloween weekend ended. Patrons voted on their preferred rendition during the four-day event. Each vote also entered participants into a raffle for a prize.

A third competitor, Calypso Edmonds, joined the fray this month. Despite the added rivalry, Kelnero took the top spot. The venue has maintained a strong record in the competition since it began about two years ago. Vinbero has since closed the gap, with both locations winning roughly half the time.

Kris Kelnero said the event allows a different bartender each month to experiment with classic recipes. The goal is to add artistic flair while keeping the base spirit recognizable. For the October Zombie, the bars focused on the fruity, rum-forward profile that dates back to the 1930s tiki bar era.

The Kelnero couple opened Kelnero in 2019 with a focus on serious cocktails. They followed with Vinbero in 2021 in the former Cheesemonger’s Table space. Vinbero serves an all-ages crowd with a European aesthetic and a natural wine list.

Kali Kelnero noted that the two bars often arrive at similar innovations independently. In September, both locations included miso in their Painkiller versions. This shared approach reflects a modern take on classic builds like the margarita or the sour.

Billy Farrow, the bar manager at Vinbero, said the primary aim is to create a unique riff that tastes good. He observed that regulars often order a second or third drink from the winning venue. Farrow also emphasized the importance of sourcing wines that align with the bar’s vision.

The next Battle of the Bars begins on Nov. 19 with the Old Fashioned. Before that, Vinbero hosts its Supper Club fine dining pop-up on Nov. 13 and 14. Kelnero remains open at 545 Main St., while Vinbero operates from 203 5th Ave S #1.