People 
Alcoholics Synonymous: when tasting drinks goes too far
By Nick Reed. A recent conversation with a difficult customer has been playing on my mind. The main point of contention with the woman in question was the fact that my head bartender was not straw tasting every one of his drinks as he sent them over the bar. She asked me whether he thought of himself as some sort of cocktail god. For the sake of conflict resolution I obviously did not justify this comment with an answer however what I really wanted to say went something like this. “No, I believe he’s just an accomplished bartender who can execute the same simple recipe over and over without tasting the drink every single time.” Oh if only.
How to start your very own spirits brand: we talk to the 86 Company’s Simon Ford
Simon Ford has worked at the big spirit companies, is known for bringing Plymouth gin to bartenders worldwide, and worked for a long time as an ambassador for Pernod Ricard. He’s traded all that in now for his own spirits company, The 86 Company, and his very own eponymous gin, Ford’s Gin. Bartender sought to find out more about where the market’s been and where it’s going.
Watch PDT’s Jim Meehan talk cocktail books
Who knew Google was so enthused about cocktail book archaeology? Last week they had Jim Meehan, owner of NYC’s PDT and author of his very own cocktail book, pop in to their offices to give a Google Talk. Meehan broke out the mezcal, making everyone a cocktail before launching in to a 45 minute talk that traced the history of cocktail books with a look towards their future.
Drinks With… Belvedere’s Claire Smith
One of the most respected authorities on vodka and mixology worldwide, Claire Smith, sits down with Bartender to discuss her ten year love affair with Belvedere Vodka, trends and her latest creations.
The night that was… Pacifico Go Go & Bartender’s 150th Issue Bash
It was an appropriately large evening to send off a bar that has had an inappropriate influence (in the best of ways) on bartenders around the country, and a fine way for Australian Bartender to celebrate its 150th issue. There was tequila, nudity, lay-backs, tequila, strippers, and then some more tequila. We’ve curated a few of the photos that were safe for publication in the gallery below.
Are you being served?
At the start of each year you come across articles in industry magazines or websites focusing on trends for the next 12 months that lay ahead. They normally ask some well known bartenders what they think will be “the big thing” and in the past we have seen molecular mixology, barrel aging, bottled cocktails, bourbon, rye, gin, rye again…. and so on.
Bar Profile: Alfred & Constance
There’s a lot going on at Alfred & Constance. In fact, there are four venues in one. And more drinks lists, food menus and nooks and crannies to peruse than one outing will allow. It seems the era of Brissie’s pumping super-nightclubs is coming to a close with patrons clamouring for more eccentric and intimate places to spend their downtime.
Industry vets team up for Drinks by Design
New bar consultancy, Drinks By Design, have just opened the doors on their first consultancy, a 600 seater restaurant at Sydney’s Moore Park, called Rum Fire and stocking over 100 rums. Drinks By Design is partnership between two industry vets, AJ Nathan Jones (formerly the general manager of Hugo’s Kings Cross) and event specialist par excellence Leeroy Petersen.
Manager Profile: Bar Americano’s Hayden Lambert
Australian Bartender got to know Mr Lambert, a two-time Bartender of the Year in Ireland and who previously ran the award-winning Merchant Hotel in Belfast, through his vocal and sometimes controversial opinions on Twitter (others would say he just calls it as he sees it). When Matt Bax tapped him to head up the bar at Melbourne’s Bar Americano, he leapt at the chance. Meet the talented Mr Hayden Lambert.
Ask an expert: Colin Scott talks Blended Whisky
What makes a great blended whisky? What’s the process involved, and is it a craft, art or science? We asked an expert – the knowledgeable Colin Scott from Chivas Regal – to find out more about blended whisky.
Mixologist wanted to lead ambitious new bar program
We’re proud to see the craft of the cocktail getting the attention it deserves these days. Venues with an eye to the future know the importance of quality drinks, incorporating them into their vision for their venues.
Mixxit Chronicles get rude and uncensored!
Mixxit Chronicles – winners of On Premise Training Program of the Year at last year’s Australian Bartender Bar Awards — is set to launch at the iconic 1806 next week 30th April & 1st May at 1pm, with a session titled “Scotch & Irish Whisky – un-Censored”! Led by Jason Crawley and Dylan Howarth, the lads are promising a fresh look compared with last year’s program, and best of all — it’s uncensored.
Introducing: Sebastian Cosmo Soto
One of the nicest guys going, Cosmo is cast from the old-school bartender mould: that means he know his drinks as well as the next guy but he’ll be the one talking to you rather than at you. No pretence, no need to be a startender, and a great ‘tache to boot.
More in this category:
- Belvedere & Glenmorangie come to town
- The Master of Mezcal visits Australia!
- Drinks With… Ben Davidson
- Dale DeGroff knows all about Mad Men, too
- A day in the life of… Grand Central Station’s bartenders
- Australian Made: Maidenii
- Meet 2012′s Rookie of the Year, Sean Chow
- Drinks With: Washington D.C’s Derek Brown
- Manager Profile: Ben Clark
- Tequilaworld steps back in time to… 2004
- Brisbane location frustration
- Tim Philips on cocktail lists and seasonal produce
- Ron Cooper coming to Oz
- Editor’s Pick: The Tequila Ambassador, Tomas Estes
- Cocktailian: For a pauper or a prince
- Introducing: James Irvine
- Hayden Lambert to helm Bar Americano
- Internationalist: On Charity
- Australian Made: The West Winds
- Introducing: Davide Bernacchia
- Operator Profile: The Local Taphouse gents
- Internationalist: On Ladies
- Australian Made: Tamborine Mountain Distillery
- Internationalist: think global, act local
- Operator Profile: Greg Sanderson
- Open your own bar!
- Drinks With… Ruben Aceves Vidrio
- Phil Bayly talks to Del Maguey’s Ron Cooper
- Introducing: Katherine Wasiel
- Drinks With… David Chang
- Drinks With: Laura Hay & Karel ‘Papi’ Reyes
- Operator Profile: Anton Forte & Jason Scott
- Drinks With: Salvatore Calabrese
- Operator Profile: Michael Delany-Korabelnikova
- Introducing: James Connolly
- Introducing: Peter Walker
- Bar & Venue Manager wanted – The Morrison
- Operator Profile: Bonnie Shearston & Tom Sanceau
- The Morrison – Positions Vacant
- QT Sydney wants you!
- Drinks With – Dave Broom
- Introducing – Mischa Bonova
- Operator Profile – Jaron Mitchell
- Drinks With… Dan Aykroyd
- Introducing: Perryn Collier
- Drinks With – Jason Crawley
- Drinks With – Jonathan Driver
- Introducing: Will Cabantog
- Operator Profile: Owen Westman & Paul Fitzsimmons
- Drinks With: Sean Muldoon
- Introducing – Fraser Campbell
- Natasha Conte – One of the industry’s leading ladies
- The Maestro Recreates History
- Drinks With: Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller
- Operator Profile: Karl Schlothauer and Christophe Lehoux
- Introducing: Tara Steele
- Manager Profile – Tim Philips
- Introducing – Finbarr Shaw
- Introducing – Jessica Arnott
- Operator Profile – Gary Beadle
- Operator Profile: Martin O’Sullivan & the Grasshopper team
- Introducing: Ben Hickey
- Gary Regan…Conversations with a contemporary cocktailian
- Introducing – Brad Dickman
- Operator Profile: Josh ‘Skipper’ Collins
- Drinks With…Joe Fee
- Introducing – Mitch Keane
- Record Turn Out for The Bartender of the Year Competition – Top 20 Announced!
- Duff Returns by Popular Demand
- Jose Cuervo Master Blender presenting at BarShow
- Introducing – Rob Uldis Libecans
- Drinks With…Philip Duff
- Introducing: Krystal Hart
- Operator Profile: Marco and Emily Nunes
- Operator Profile: James Miller & James Wirth
- Introducing: Gerald Faundez
- Justin Hemmes: Australia’s Most Influential Bar Personality
- 2nd to 9th Place Most Influential List Interviews
- Appleton Estate Tiki Mug Competition
- Tim Philips is World Class
- Introducing: Samantha Reed
- Introducing: Ian Riley
- Wayne Collins in Sydney for World Cocktail Week
- Tribute to Hayden Stefan Poczwa
- Discussing the Heavenly Spirit with Dan Woolley
- INTRODUCING: Andrew Knox
- Brisbane’s Bar Histories
- Dave Wondrich Confirmed for Sydney BarShow Week!
- An Interview with Hidetsugu Ueno
- Introducing Adam Petrie
- Drinks with… Eddie Tirado
- Mixxit Brings Professor Wondrich to Oz
- Introducing: Adam Brewer
- Mike Enright: Ivy, Group Bars Manager
- Sydney Bartender Tragically Dies in Motorcycle Accident
- Amazing Opportunity for Cocktail Bartenders
- Job Opportunities at Southtrade
- Drinks With: David Cordoba
- Mick Formosa Moves to Moet-Hennessy
- Canadian Club Brand Champion Wanted
- Martin Lange Bolsters Alchemy Program
- BARTENDER: Jordan Harris, Brisbane
- WANTED: Full-time & Part-time Writers to Join Editorial Team
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Elie Moubarak, Brisbane
- BARTENDER: Sarah Clare, Melbourne
- Jay Lambert joins Behind Bars Brisbane
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Vernon Chalker, Melbourne
- BARTENDER: Lee Potter-Cavanagh, Sydney
- Tim Wastell leaves Blue Diamond
- Alex Ross moves to Order of Melbourne
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Pierre Van Der Heyde, Melbourne
- The New Who’s Who at Byblos, Brisbane
- David Hobbs to manage Seamstress/Sweatshop
- BARTENDER: 2009 Bartender of the Year, Chris Hysted
- DRINKS WITH Morgan Guerra-Heuwetter – Anchor Distilling
- DRINKS WITH Jim Meehan, PDT, New York
- DRINKS WITH Dennis Potter – Maker’s Mark
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Paul Glen and James Hiller, Adelaide
- Pierre Fajloun joins Alchemy
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Michael Delany, Sorry Grandma, Melbourne
- Adi Ruiz joins Black Pearl Team
- Fred Booker Noe III – Great Grandson of Jim Beam and Family Distiller
- Merlin Griffiths – Global Brand Ambassador Bombay Sapphire Gin
- Copper Cup Ambassadors Announced
- Outstanding Contribution: Sven Almenning, Behind Bars
- DRINKS WITH Desmond Payne, Beefeater Gin
- INTERVIEW: Clint Hillery talks Wine Storage
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Bria Sydney, Braddon Cocktail Bar, Canberra
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Taj Hospitality
- DRINKS WITH Xavier Padovani, Hendrick’s Gin
- DRINKS WITH Max Warner, Chivas Regal
- BARTENDER: Nick Edwards – The Lark, Brisbane
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Andy Freeman and Michelle Mok, Luxe Bar
- OPERATOR FOCUS: Re:Love

