This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is hosting its annual Set the Bar Cocktail event, served with a twist.

Instead of a large-scale one-day competition, it’s celebrating its 4th annual event for an entire week.

Co-founder and opening president, Michael Klauber says the pandemic is forcing them to use their creative hats to keep the 60 plus local restaurants operating safely.

“Our collective goal is to continue to welcome guests to our restaurants and this concept is going to allow guests to still be able to experience the creativity of these top locally-owned independent restaurants,” Klauber said.

Empty tables and closed doors. That’s how Sage Restaurant has been operating. They’ve been closed since March. The Cocktail Week will mark the restaurant’s grand reopening.

“To be able to reopen this way and then the opportunity to work The Originals, again, I think the bar team got more excitement than usual for reopening,” Sage Restaurant Marketing Director, Zach Dauth said. “And now we can be a part of something even bigger.”

Marketing director, Zach Dauth says it’s been difficult, but also very beneficial.

“There’s been no lost time,” Dauth said. “Everybody’s been on their toes and we’ve kept them educated as much as possible.”

Beverage Director, David Tlaiye, and the lead bartender have been holding classes twice a week to educate their staff on how to craft the cocktails.

“I always say we design cocktails, we don’t just throw things together and hope that it tastes good, or just kind of a flashy thing,” Tlaiye said. “We really design them and cater it to make sure every ingredient involved is in harmony with each other and also in harmony with our food.”

Tlaiye says he’s excited to generate the buzz and lift spirits on the Suncoast alongside the other 60 restaurants of The Originals.

“It’ll be really fun to see all the creativity that my colleagues and I will be presenting for the people of Sarasota,” Tlaiye said.

While it’s no competition, Klauber says they hope to receive support and positivity from the Suncoast.

“In this case, every cocktail counts,” Klauber said.

The 2020 Set the Bar Cocktail Week is planned for October 12th through the 18th.