The time has come, folks: Sydney Bar Week (September 17-20 2016) starts tomorrow, and here’s your big timetable of events.
It’s just not September in Sydney without Bar Week, the annual event that brings the Australian bar industry together to celebrate, party, network and learn.
To book tickets and RSVP to events, click here to check out the full Sydney Bar Week timetable at barweek.com.au, and take a look at what’s happening the next four days.
Saturday 17 September
Big Gin, Small Gin Seminar — BOOKED OUT
2pm – 4pm, September 17, 2016
THE BARBER SHOP, York Street, Sydney
The Barber Shop is a finalist for the title of Gin Bar of the Year this year, so it makes sense that owner Mike Enright has lent their talents to the Big Gin, Small Gin Seminar that kicks the week off. Moderated by global ambassador for The Bombay Spirits Company, Raj Nagra, and including South Australia’s Brendan Carter (of Applewood Gin), Jason Chan of WA’s The West Winds Gin, and Sydney’s own Griffin Blumer of Poor Toms Gin, it’s a look into the world of the juniperous spirit that you’ll not get the chance to have elsewhere. They’ll discuss the importance of distillery size (does it really matter?), craft gin, what botanicals (and how many) makes the perfect gin, and much more. It’s an in-depth look at a spirit which is surging in popularity from the perspective of the people who make the stuff. Tickets are $45.
This event is booked out.
Bar Week Launch Party hosted by ‘The House of Bombay’
6pm – 8pm, September 17, 2016
THE BARBER SHOP, York Street, Sydney
They’ll be celebrating all things juniperous at The Barber Shop, a finalist this year for Gin Bar of the Year, with a stellar team of bartenders behind the stick: Raj Nagra, (Global Brand Ambassador, The Bombay Spirits Company), Loy Catada (Brand Ambassador), Sean Forsyth (Brand Ambassador), and The Barber Shop’s own Mike Enright and David Nguyen-Luu. There’ll be complimentary cocktails being served up, and you can RSVP now via the email below.
Email rsvp@thisisthebarbershop.com for tickets.
Sunday 18 September
Tio’s Bartender Brunch — BOOKED OUT
10.30am – 12.30pm, September 18, 2016
TIO’S CERVECERIA, Foster Street, Surry Hills
Sydney Bar Week is always made better by a good, old fashioned bartenders’ brunch, and this year the fine folks from Tio’s Cerveceria — a finalist for the Phil Bayly Award for Tequila Bar of the Year — are putting on a spread to soothe your sore heads. It’s all happening on day two of Bar Week, at 10:30am Sunday the 18th of September. They’re working with Ghostboy Cantina on a feast — 10 bartenders to a table indulging in a few whole beasts with Bloody Maria’s flowing freely, and a great chance to swap stories (and tell a few lies) with your bartending pals from across the country. For more information contact the always happy Alex Happy Gilmour via email on happy@tios.com.au.
RSVP: Invite only, contact Tio’s and visit the Facebook page here.
Indie Tasting Sydney
12pm – 4.30pm, September 18, 2016
FRANKIE’S PIZZA BY THE SLICE, Hunter Street, Sydney
Come down to Frankie’s and check out more than 40 suppliers & 120 different artisan and independent spirit brands. With 6 free seminars and tickets for only $40 online, this event is not to be missed. Open to both trade and consumers.
Book your Indie Tasting tickets here — limited tickets available.
Tiki Face Off Challenge
4pm – 8.30pm, September 18, 2016
CLIFF DIVE, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
The Rum Club Australia presents Tiki Face Off Challenge. If your bar team thinks you have the pineapples to challenge for the tastiest and most outrageous tiki drinks, then this is the competition for you. Give Tom Bulmer a holler at tom@thesocialspirits.com if you want to get involved.
The Aperitivo: An Italian tale — BOOKED OUT
5.30pm – 8pm, September 18, 2016
MAYBE FRANK, Bourke street, Surry Hills
Join the most incredible panel of experts in italian Drinking culture discuss the history of the Italian aperitivo and the families and brands that made Italy great in the world. Oh, forgot to mention, drinks are on us! Kindly brought to you by Carpano, Disaronno, Campari, Martini, Aperol, Fernet, Oscar697 & Montenegro.
RSVP: matt.fabbris@gmail.com
Idiot Savant Prizes
8pm – late, September 18, 2016
Where: THE UNICORN, 106 Oxford St, Paddington
Celebrating the inglorious and unsung hero’s of our industry for the fourth year, join us while we praise and persecute some of our dearest and most talented colleagues, our Idiot Savants of the industry
RSVP info: click here to vote by midnight Saturday. No Vote, No Entry.
Monday 19 September
Bartender of the Year Rounds 1 & 2
Round 1 – 10.30am – 1pm; Round 2 – 2pm – 5pm, September 19, 2016
RAMBLIN’ RASCAL TAVERN
Head down to Ramblin’ Rascal for the written exam followed by the mystery round of the Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by Bacardi and De Kuyper. More than 100 bartenders will be whittled down to 8 who will compete live on stage at the Bar Awards. Email sam@spantonmedia.com if you haven’t entered.
Business of Bars Conference — BOOKED OUT
12pm – 4.30pm, September 19, 2016
THE WHISKY ROOM @ THE CLOCK, SURRY HILLS
The annual Business of Bars Conference has gained a loyal following over the years and repeatedly sells out. Join bar industry professionals and operators and discover the secrets of running a successful bar business. Tickets on sale — click here to get yours.
Inaugural Bottled Cocktail Invitational
12pm – 3pm, September 19, 2016
DEAD RINGER, Bourke Street, Surry Hills
The team at Dead Ringer is hosting the Inaugural Bottled Cocktail Invitational, when seven of the finalists for Cocktail Bar of the Year at the Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards will bring the best of their cocktails to town for all to taste in the one place. Under the one roof at Dead Ringer you’ll taste the skills of Brisbane bars Maker and The Bowery; Perth’s The Dominion League; Melbourne bars Eau De Vie Melbourne and The Everleigh; Adelaide bar Maybe Mae and Sydney bar The Lobo Plantation.
Entry on the day: $20 – includes voting tokens and a beer.
RSVP: to tim@deadringer.wtf or 0430 820 220 by 26th August if you want to be a part of the event.
Coleman’s Academy Panel — BOOKED OUT
2.30pm onwards, September 19, 2016
RESTAURANT HUBERT, Bligh Street, Sydney
Launched in 2015, the Coleman’s Academy is a mentoring program where women in the hospitality industry come together once a month to communicate, inspire and educate. The doors will be open to both women and men to listen to a collective of strong females across several industries discuss a broad range of issues – both gender related and not. Guests are welcome to become a part of the discussion during the Q&A following the panel’s discourse. Tickets will be $10 a pop — click here to get yours.
Premiumisation of Rum & Exclusive Facundo Range Tasting
5pm – 6.30pm, September 19, 2016
THE LOBO PLANTATION, Clarence Street, Sydney
Join the Bacardi Martini team for a tasting of the premium Facundo range, with an emphasis on some premium drops such as the Bacardi Grand Reserva Ocho Anos which was previously reserved for the Bacardi Family. The Top 8 of the Bartender of the Year will also be announced here.
Here, you’ll delve deep into the reasons why the premiumisation of rum is taking off, sip some Bacardi Grand Reserva Ocho Anos (which was reserved for the Bacardi family up until 1996), and have the rare opportunity to taste the range of Facundo rums from Bacardi. It’s a rare opportunity to sample the super-premium range, which includes Facundo Neo (a blend of rums aged up to eight years and their colour filtered), the Facundo Eximo (with rums of a minimum age of 10 years), Facundo Exquisito (a blend of rums aged 7 and 23 years old from the Bacardi family private reserve), and Facundo Paraiso (a blend of the finest rums aged up to 23 years old in the Bacardi family’s rum library).
RSVP by invitation only. Numbers are strictly limited.
Disaronno presents: Simon Difford — BOOKED OUT
6pm – 8pm, September 19, 2016
THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM @ THE WINERY, Crown Street, Surry Hills
Simon Difford, author of the Difford’s Guide, is the world’s most famous bar critic. Join him and the Disaronno team in discovering what makes “great bars great”, what the “next style of mixing is going to be” and meet the most promising drink offering from the winners of the Mixing Star program 2016.
RSVP: mfabbris@spiritsplatform.com.au
Bourbon Street presented by The Blend by Beam Suntory
8pm – 10pm
September 19, 2016
Location: TBC
Bourbon St comes alive, Live music, Bourbon delights, New Orleans inspired food matched with a night of bartending shenanigans.
The event is all about the Bourbon Shakedown — get along to the party to watch seven top bartenders (Max Greco, Sunnie Frain, Josh Nicholson, Ella Rhodes, Nick Cozens, Dale Schoon, Matt Follent, Kate McGraw, and Charlie Lehmann) take on seven ambassadors: Matt Barnett, Erica Richards, Michael Nouri, Dan Woolley, Bill Bewsher, Luke Hanzlicek, Brendon Rogers, Rory Donnelly, and Kenny Ariaens.
RSVP: Check out the Facebook page to RSVP ASAP.
28 Hong Kong Street at Henrietta
10pm till 3am, September 19, 2016
HENRIETTA SUPPER CLUB, Victoria Road, Darlinghurst
Maison Ferrand & Plantation Rum are proud to present the team from 28 Hong Kong
Street in Sydney for one night only! Join the 28 HKS team at Henrietta Supper Club (nominatedfor Bartender’s Bar at this year’s bar awards) for a true taste of Singapore!present the team from 28 Hong Kong Street in Sydney for one night only! Join the 28 HKS team at Henrietta Supper Club (nominated in for Bartender’s Bar at this year’s bar awards) for a true taste of Singapore!
Entry is free. RSVPs are limited to the first 100 people, after that it’s one in and one out on the door. Email admin@neatspirits.com.au to RSVP your place.
Tuesday 20 September
Academy of Bartenders 2016 in association with Bartender Magazine — BOOKED OUT
12pm – 4pm, September 20, 2016
GRAIN Bar, George Street, Sydney
Academy of Bartenders is proud to present our first ever conference as part of Sydney Bar Week. In association with Australian Bartender Magazine, we’ll be presenting some of the bar industry’s best speakers from Australia along with some very special international guests. Click here to join the waiting list.
Tequila and Stories from South of the Border by Tomas Estes
2pm – 4pm, September 20, 2016
BIG POPPA’S, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Internationally renowned Tequila aficianado, Tomas Estes will introduce Ocho tequila’s new 750ml packaging and talk about the latest and upcoming vintages. Accompanied by a cheese matching from Big Poppa’s larder. Numbers strictly limited.
RSVP: Essential. Email andy@vanguardluxurybrands.com
Bartender of the Year Final Round, 7pm – 11pm
September 20, 2016
DOLTON HOUSE, Pyrmont
The final round of the Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by Bacardi and De Kuyper will be held live on stage at the 16th Annual Bar Awards. Eight of Australia’s finest bartenders will have to prep two signature drinks in front of 600 people. Fasten your seatbelts!
16th Annual Bartender Magazine Bar Awards — BOOKED OUT
5.30pm – 11.30pm, September 20, 2016
DOLTON HOUSE, Pyrmont
Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the bar industry, more than 600 of the industry’s leading professionals gather at Sydney’s Doltone House in Pyrmont for some general congratulations, a lot of mingling and of course, the distribution of some pretty important awards, as voted by the trade for the trade.
Bar Awards After Party – DISCOTHEQUE
11.30pm till late, September 20, 2016
CLIFF DIVE, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
The Dark Lord — some of you may know him as Andy Penney — and the Cliff Dive are bringing you one heck of an after party, simply titled: DISCOTHEQUE. It kicks off at 11:30pm on Tuesday 20 September, and you can expect banging drinks, ‘The World Class Bartending Disco Dancing Championship’, tunes from DJs Nick Van Tiel and Turbo, and be warned: there will be glitter. It’s always a big night when The Dark Lord gets involved, so make sure you get there early — entry will cost you a can of food (which is being donated to City Mission) or $20.