It’s that time of the year where we wrap up the year that’s been, and take a look back at the most popular stories on australianbartender.com.au throughout the year.
First up though, it’s worth acknowledging once again that the bar world lost one of its most influential bartenders early on in the year, with the passing of Dick Bradsell in February – read up on his influence here.
The most-read story of the year landed on February 1st with an open letter to men in the industry by Tim Philips, concerning women in the industry and the role that men have to play in equalising the genders. He wrote: “Like most professional industries, women have had to fight their way to be heard, to be paid the same, to be respected the same, to get the same opportunities. Men cannot empathise with what it’s like to be constantly judged on their looks, and to have to live up to the ‘boys culture’ that our industry is buried in, because they don’t live it.” It was an important message from one of the leaders of the industry.
It was a great year for new bar openings, too. The openings of Restaurant Hubert, PS40, Newtown’s Leadbelly, Big Poppa’s, and Townsville bar Hooch & Fellow all figured in the top 10 most read stories.
And proving that there’s just as much interest in what is going on around the world behind the bar, stories about the World’s 50 Best Bars, The Creators List 2016, and Seoul bartender Chris Lowder’s free offering of his 178 recipes to know all featured in the top 10, too.
Lastly, the announcement of the 2016 Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards finalists — itself a pretty damn fine proxy for the best guide to bars around the country — was another story figuring in the top 10 this year.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.
Lastly, take a look at one of our best – and most dapperly-presented — videos of the year below.