Friday afternoon started like any other for longtime Powerhouse Pub and Scarlets bartender Joel Warn. He arrived for his shift, ready to mix up drinks and keep the good times flowing at the iconic Historic Folsom venue. But this Friday was different. Shortly after he stepped into the bar, a lively group dressed mostly in black came through the doors, some cameras rolling along with musician Bobby Dickson playing Johnny Cash tunes.
It didn’t take long for the secret to spill—Warn had just been named the winner of the 2025 Historic Folsom Bartender Challenge, a month-long competition that celebrated craft cocktail artistry with a Johnny Cash-inspired twist.
The challenge, which took over Folsom’s Historic District throughout February, saw bartenders from some of the area’s most beloved establishments crafting specialty cocktails in honor of the Man in Black. Visitors sipped, sampled, and cast their votes for their favorite, and when the final tally was counted, Warn’s creation reigned supreme. The inaugural competition was put on by the Folsom Historic District Association with Folsom Times and was a hit with the establishments and patrons alike.
Competing against a lineup of skilled mixologists from multiple venues, Warn’s win was a testament not only to his creativity behind the bar but also to the loyal following he’s built over the years. The winging cocktail, known as the “Man in Blackberry,” was a concoction containing a mix of Dereringer Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cherry Bitters and a splash of Mike’s Hot Honey.
See how to make the “Man in BlackBerry” on Folsom Times Instagram here.
“Joel has been with Powerhouse since the beginning, back in 1999, when he looked like a 17-year-old Elvis,” said Powerhouse founder Murray Weaver with a chuckle. “He started out running a small service bar we jokingly called ‘Joel’s Hole.’ Before long, it became the go-to spot for young ladies hoping for a chat with him, leaving the main bar to a bunch of grumpy guys.”
By 2005, Warn’s talents had outgrown his tiny corner, and he took the helm at the newly opened Scarlet’s, a high-end craft bar dedicated to specialty cocktails with fresh ingredients. From then on, he became the mastermind behind an ever-evolving menu of creative, seasonal cocktails.
According to Weaver, Warn’s meticulous approach to mixology is somewhat “legendary” among his peers. Not only does he create and curate Powerhouse’s craft cocktail program, but he also manages inventory across the venue’s five bars with what Weaver jokingly calls an “OCD-level” dedication.
“The staff and management often say if OCD is a disorder, then we all want a case of whatever Joel has,” Weaver said. “His attention to detail and nonstop research make for some of the best craft cocktails you’ll ever taste.”
That dedication—and a little Johnny Cash inspiration—paid off in a big way, earning Warn top honors in the 2025 Bartender Challenge. With a legacy of legendary drinks and a reputation for excellence, the longtime Powerhouse bartender has once again proven he’s the king of the craft in Historic Folsom.
Warn’s victory was hard-earned, as he competed against some of the best bartenders in town. The competition featured creations from top Historic Folsom establishments, including Sutter Street Steakhouse, Plank, Scarlett’s, Riley’s, Folsom Hotel, Samuel Hornes, Gaslight Co., Fat Rabbit, Scott’s Seafood, Folsom State Slickers, Sutter Club and others.
Folsom Times photos by Bill Sullivan
