The stage is set, the players are in position, all that remains is for the curtain to go up on the first ever Manhattan Cocktail Classic, to be held this weekend at venues across the city.

The event has been organized to celebrate the life and times of the classic form of the cocktail, from its insemination in the early 1800's to its place in contemporary society. Coming together for the weekend are an astounding ensemble of pioneers and icons in the bar world, from Dale 'King Cocktail' Degroff, Sasha Petraske (of elusive, exclusive and down-right enviable Milk & Honey fame), and Doug Frost - one of only three people in the world to complete the Master Sommelier's course and become America's Master of Wine.

Over two days, guests have the opportunity to hear lectures on a variety of subjects, from the history of the American cocktail through the prohibition era, to an in depth look at the life and crimes of the agave plant.

While the two day extravaganza will most likely appeal only to those in the bar industry, or with a true desire to learn more about the art of the cocktail, the event does offer a little something for everybody. Stories From Behind The Bar is a chance for guests to visit a select few bars in the city (the Clover Club, Death & Co, Pegu Club), meet the professionals, and be regaled by their stories and anecdotes, while sipping on their signature cocktails from over the years.

This all sounds too good to be true, and unfortunately, it is. Each event is priced at $50 (that's each seminar, not the whole afternoon of seminars), and tickets are selling out at an alarming pace. Only the true cocktail lovers will be found here, and, with such small class sizes, it seems that the world of cocktails is a tight circle to break into.

There are still tickets available for the Sunday night closing party ($100), to be held at Astor Hall, the New York Public Library. A dozen bars will be set up, serving up iconic New York inspired cocktails from the past 200 years. The invitation states ' Fancy attire preferred. Dancing encouraged. Reveling mandatory.'

Tempting, very tempting...