Rules

Requirements of Mr. Anvil Phoenix:

Male-identified individual 21 years or older as of January 1, 2025
Be a resident of Arizona within 50 miles of the Anvil Bar
High resolution photos, to be provided by Contestant, or taken by the photographer
Must have no felony/misdemeanor convictions for crimes of fraud or deception
No competing, current title holding responsibilities or obligations

Expectations:

Promote the Mr. Anvil Phoenix contest locally and regionally
Represent Anvil Bar at International Mr. Leather in Chicago in May, 2026
Participation in all Anvil Bar event specific to the Mr. Anvil Phoenix travel fund (3 or 4 travel fund events, minimum, are planned)
Consistent participation in AML Club Night events involving additional travel fund fundraising (ex: Club Night 50/50 raffles designated for travel fund)
Willingness to participate in other Anvil Bar events to promote his title and the bar
March as an honored guest of AML at the Phoenix Pride Parade during his title year
Attend and assist in the 2026 Mr. Anvil Phoenix contest, including title step-down
Maintain good standing in the community by representing himself with integrity
Maintain a high level of professionalism while wearing contest sash, back patch, and/or other title affiliated attire (ex: avoid excessive intoxication, no inappropriate public nudity, etc.)
Avoid creating or promoting any competing contest/weekend event without the consent of The Anvil Bar and the Arizona Men of Leather

Scoring:

Contestants will be scored on how well they represent themselves in their judges’ interview, Bar Wear, Pecs And Personality and Image in Leather presentations as well as their Closing Statement. On stage you will be judged with regard to stage presence, personality, their interpretation of leather, and grooming.

The full break-down of scoring parameters is as follows:

Saturday, April 12 – Contest Day

Judges’ interviews – Individual interviews at a location and time to be disclosed to the Contestants; this portion is not open to the public. Contestants will meet with the full panel of Judges. This interview will take place in private without any audience. Select attire that you feel is appropriate (think ‘Leather Casual’) Judges questions often cover knowledge of the leather community; its leaders and history; the Contestant’s community service and personal questions about the Contestant.
This is a judged activity accounting for 40 points (20% of the overall score).

Saturday, April 12 – Contest Night
BAR WEAR – Contestants will appear in their choice of leatherwear (aka what you’d normally wear out on a regular bar night). Contestants will have a 1-1/2 minute opportunity to introduce themselves: a brief biography and an item or two they’d like to share with the judges/audience (interests, community service, hobbies, kinks, fetishes, turn-ons, something they’re passionate about etc.) This should not be why you would make a good Mr. Anvil Phoenix as that is theme of the Closing Statement. Contestants should be able to speak without notes and may be asked a follow-up question at the emcee’s discretion. This will be judged for a maximum of 40 points (20% of the overall score).

INTRODUCTION OF JUDGES AND TALLY MASTER – At the conclusion of the Bar Wear portion of the contest, Contestants will return backstage to change for the next portion of the contest. During that time, our Judges and Tally Master for the evening will be introduced and thanked.
JOCK STRAP/PECS AND PERSONALITY – Each Contestant will appear onstage in a jock strap of their choice. This segment is not a ‘body competition’ or ‘fashion show’ but a celebration of our leather lifestyle. Judging emphasizes attitude, stage presence and confidence rather than athletic shape. This portion will include on-stage questions asked by the judges and emcee. This will be judged for a maximum of 40 points (20% of the overall score).

RECOGNITION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS – Contestants return backstage for wardrobe change.
IMAGE IN LEATHER – Contestants will dress to display their ‘visual image of leather’, this can be anything from Sam Browne belts, uniforms, hats etc. This is where you dress to impress.

This will be judged for a maximum of 40 points (20% of the overall score). Contestants will remain in formal leather to deliver closing statements and announcement of contest winner.
CLOSING STATEMENTS – Each Contestant will deliver a 1-½ minute speech to the community stating why they would like to be Mr. Anvil Phoenix 2024. Although microphone will not be turned off after two minutes, point deductions may be incurred if statements go longer than two minutes. Audience reactions (i.e. applause, cheering) will not be counted against the Contestant’s allotted time. This is judged for 40 points (20% of the overall score).

Travel Fund:

The Winner of the Mr. Anvil Phoenix 2025 contest is guaranteed a minimum of $2000 to offset his basic IML contest costs. Included in these costs (but not limited to) are airfare for the IML contest in May of 2026, hotel and contest entry fees. These costs will be administered in conjunction with the Arizona Men of Leather. During his title year, the 2025 Winner will be afforded many opportunities to participate in fundraising events that will be designated as “benefitting the Mr. Anvil Phoenix Travel Fund” and will enjoy the support of the AML club brothers in organizing, advertising and operating these events. This $2000 guaranteed minimum is already raised and on deposit in the Arizona Men of Leather’s account.

Upon winning his 2025 title, the next $2000 raised is “paid forward” towards Mr. Anvil Phoenix 2026 title contest (to be held in April of 2026). Any additional money raised during the 2025 Winner’s title year will be awarded to him on top of the guaranteed prize monies and can be used towards supplemental needs including leather attire or additional IML-related events, in coordination with the Arizona Men of Leather contest committee.

Funds raised during AML-sponsored events will be administered by Arizona Men of Leather.