Australian Bartender magazine

19/11/2024

If you’ve wandered past 195 Brisbane Street recently, you’ve probably noticed the flashy new digs where the old Harvison Gallery used to be. Once a quiet, empty block, it’s now been transformed into something that stands out—a cheeky, retro-styled bar with gold-foiled pin-up girls and hand-painted signs boasting “Cold Drinks, Warm Service, and Hot Bartenders.” Yep, that’s Bar Love, the latest and most exciting addition to the neighbourhood between Northbridge and Highgate.

A cheeky, retro-styled bar with gold-foiled pin-up girls and hand-painted signs boasting “Cold Drinks, Warm Service, and Hot Bartenders.” Yep, that’s Bar Love, the latest and most exciting addition to the neighbourhood between Northbridge and Highgate.

14/11/2024

Get your entry in now for your chance to win the Australian competition and head to Bologna in 2025. The challenge? Test their creativity and envision the world of cocktails 140 years from now.

Vero Bartender Competition 2025 Entries are now open! The Australian winner will head to Bologna for a trip of a lifetime. Get your entry in now.

06/11/2024

“My goal is to preserve the rich history of The Vanguard while making it an even more inclusive, vibrant space where artists and audiences can connect,” says new owner, Beau Neilson. “With a lush new look, upgraded sound and lighting systems, and excellent food and drink, we’re ready to embrace the next generation of performers, experimenters, and lovers of music, art, and expression.”

However, the spirit of The Vanguard refused to be extinguished, and now, under the ownership and management of Beau Neilson, the venue is back with a fresh sense of purpose and excitement.

30/10/2024

“Bar Tilda is all about enjoying a relaxed, luxury drinking experience,” says Jason Williams. “We’ve put together a vibrant mix of local drinks to show off what makes them special. Whether you’re just passing through Sydney or you’re a local looking to switch it up, the bar offers a lively spot to unwind and enjoy the best of what’s pouring in our backyard.”

House Made Hospitality (the folks behind Lana and Apollonia, among others) are responsible for a new four-venue precinct within the hotel.

29/10/2024

Sydney just got a whole lot spicier with the launch of Dan Dan, a new Asian-inspired bar and restaurant that’s shaking things up with a modern twist on the classics.

Dan Dan is the brainchild of the duo behind Sydney CBD’s beloved sandwich and cocktail bar Tiny’s, bringing their signature quirky charm and culinary flair to Pyrmont.

22/10/2024

Bartender Magazine Edition #283 is hitting bars and mailboxes right now!

With two covers it’s twice the fun! Check out the full wrap up of with all the Bar Awards Winners and socials snaps in one place.

Check out our interview with our brand new Bartender of the Year from .lounge

There’s also other great stuff with a deep dive into vermouth di torino with

There’s lots of new bars in this issue as well as a full profile of .sydney and .sydney

20/10/2024

The Blend crowns Richard Liu and Sanjeev Sharma winners of the House of Suntory DOJO ‘HAKUtini’ Competition.

Now off to represent Australia at the DOJO Global Forum in Japan, joining DOJO guests from a range of cities, Richard and Sanjeev will attend a series of exclusive seminars and masterclasses, as well as experience Japanese bar culture and Suntory’s Yamazaki & Hakushu distilleries.

17/10/2024

The Glendronach is set to captivate a new generation of discerning whisky fans with the introduction of an innovative new bottle design and creative direction. Honouring almost 200 years of sherry cask matured whisky expertise.

14/10/2024

Rohan Masssie the 2020 AGCC winner spoke highly of the competition, saying, “The Angostura cocktail comp is one of the most hotly contested cocktail competitions in the world because of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that it offers. Unlike some other competitions that are all about social media hype, this isn’t an Instagram comp. It’s not about who can post the most or promote the brand best. It’s about you as a bartender, the drinks you create, and whether you’ve got what it takes to truly represent the brand.”

The winner of the ANZ regional final will receive AUD/NZD $5,000 and be flown to Trinidad on an all expenses paid trip in May 2025 to compete against some of the world’s best bartenders in the global finals.

13/10/2024

The dust has settled on another Australian Bartender Magazine Bar Awards. We have sifted through hundreds of photos and have put together a gallery of some of our favourite shots which you can find right here!

11/10/2024

Sydney Bar Week is all about bringing the Australian Bar industry together for a week of parties, educationals and fun. It’s about celebrating all the hard work that goes into running all the amazing bars and licensed venues around the country. Once again, what makes the events really hum, is that fact that so many of you close your bars and head to Sydney and it’s what makes the week a truly national affair.

So thanks to everyone who showed up, to the sponsors who made the events possible and to everyone who opened the doors to their bars to host an event. What a week!

For the team behind Sydney Bar Week, David & Amy Spanton, this marks their final year as hosts of the event and they couldn’t be more proud of how it all unfolded. Here’s to seeing what happens in 2024… But for now, here is a selection of some of our favourite photos from the events.

For the team behind Sydney Bar Week, David & Amy Spanton, this marks their final year as hosts of the event and they couldn’t be more proud of how it all unfolded. Here’s to seeing what happens in 2024… But for now, here is a selection of some of our favourite photos from the events.

07/10/2024

Made from 100 per cent Australian ingredients, and previously part of the Signature Series, White Cane is the newest addition to the Archie Rose Fundamental Spirits range – and is for now, exclusively available to the on-premise.

Made from 100 per cent Australian ingredients, and previously part of the Signature Series, White Cane is the newest addition to the Archie Rose Fundamental Spirits range - and is for now, exclusively available to the on-premise.

03/10/2024

The O’Shea sisters, who’ve already won over Darlinghurst with Bar Nina, are stoked to make their mark on Kings Cross. “We’ve seen how food and drink can bring people together, and we’re excited to bring that vibe to a new part of Sydney!” says Rebecca O’Shea.

Launching in early August and open every day, Arms Length is taking over the well-known late-night spot, Dean’s Lounge with the energetic sister duo, Rebecca O’Shea (formerly with Rockpool Dining Group) and Rosie O’Shea at the helm.

02/10/2024

“Papi Katsu is like nothing we’ve done before. We’ve all been in the industry for years, and now we just want to have a bit of fun,” says co-owner Ben Tua. “The cheeky name, incredible menu, cyberpunk vibes, and top-notch service… we’re creating a spot where it’s all about enjoying yourself, no matter the occasion.”

“Papi Katsu is like nothing we’ve done before. We’ve all been in the industry for years, and now we just want to have a bit of fun,” says Tua. “The cheeky name, incredible menu, cyberpunk vibes, and top-notch service… we’re creating a spot where it’s all about enjoying yourself, no m...

01/10/2024

Since 2012, the iconic VASCO bar has been a staple of Sydney’s dive scene. Whether you’re hitting up the original Surry Hills spot or the new Newtown location, VASCO delivers a perfect blend of gritty charm and refined edge, striking the ideal balance between unrefined cool and polished sophistication.

With offerings in Surry Hills and now Newtown, you can get a double dose of rock ‘n’ roll with a side of Italian food thanks to owner Sid Chand

24/09/2024

Neil says, “We’ve designed Bobbie’s to be a spot where you can enjoy yourself any time of day or night – whether it’s for a martini and oysters in the afternoon, a nightcap and cheese plate on the way home, or a full evening of dining, drinking, and live music – the choice is yours.”

Located in the basement of the iconic Gaden House in Double Bay, Bobbie’s is a joint venture with the Perrys’ longtime mates, Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, known for their Dante bars in New York City and Los Angeles

19/09/2024

There’s a brand new hotspot that’s set to light up Sydney’s CBD this spring. Spread across two levels at 11 Young Street, Quay Quarter Laneways is now home to two fresh venues—Disco Pantera and Tigra—offering double the fun under one roof.

“We were inspired by our favourite places around the world, like Barcelona and Tokyo, where unexpected flavours and top-quality ingredients come together in a relaxed yet electric atmosphere,” says Ross Purnell.

19/09/2024

Whisky and Storytelling is a tradition as old as time, and it’s through storytelling that we find some incredible characters that shape amazing moments in time. At Balvenie we tell a lot of stories, and most of these are shared with a dram in hand and the heroes are our characters of Balvenie.

What makes The Balvenie so special is the people behind the brand that put so much passion and craftsmanship into their work. I had the pleasure of inviting some of my favourite characters from the Australian hospitality industry who hold a similar passion in their work to share a dram of The Balven...