The highly anticipated World Class Cocktail Festival kicks off today, bringing Sydney to life with 10 days of unmatched dining experiences, cocktail creations, and exceptional hospitality experiences unique to Australia. With more than 100 venues involved, food and drink enthusiasts will toast to some of the world’s best beverages thanks to Don Julio tequila, Tanqueray No. TEN, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Singleton single malt Scotch whisky, and more, alongside award-winning international talent such as Roy Choi, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Ago Perrone and Monica Berg to name a few.
The exciting festival program reveals its final additions as the event fast approaches; one of the latest not-to-be-missed curated by the one and only Maurice Terzini, celebrating the beauty of Tanqueray No.TEN. While Bondi’s legendary Icebergs Dining Room and Bar undergoes a revamp, Terzini’s team will be taking over his new hotel residency at The Bar (InterContinental Double Bay) for one night only, alongside giant of the cocktail world, international bartender Erik Lorincz.
Maurice Terzini said, “I’m a huge fan of Erik, the American Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London was one of my favourite bars in the world and I love what he’s doing at Kw?nt. Together we’re going to create some magic and welcome everyone in for Tanqueray No. TEN cocktails, tasty food and live jazz.”
The epic collaborations continue as sustainability kings Matt Whiley and Josh Niland join forces to create a limited edition Talisker cocktail available exclusively at Saint Peter throughout the World Class Cocktail Festival. Both pioneering ways of rethinking waste in food and drink, Whiley and Niland have developed a delicious salt and smoke-infused whisky cocktail that will transport you straight to the Scottish isles. From September 9-18, cocktail lovers can enjoy ‘Island Life’, a sustainable cocktail inspired by the taste of Skye (Talisker’s island home) made with Talisker 10 Year Old , salted blackberry vermouth, burnt oyster shell, and lacto fermented oats- only at Saint Peter.
Hickson House will also join the line-up as the soon-to-be-crowned World Class Global Bartender of the Year makes a winning appearance at The Rocks bar for an afternoon of Johnnie Walker cocktails made by the newly crowned world’s best.
Whisky and food lovers will also be in for a treat as acclaimed chef, Danielle Alvarez, collaborates with Asia’s best bartender, Bannie Kang, for a night of The Singleton cocktails and superb food at Shell House. Kang has created The Singleton cocktails for the evening, complementing a five-course dinner crafted by Alvarez and an extraordinary line-up of female chefs.
Bannie Kang says, “The Singleton cocktails have been influenced by Asian roots and designed using exceptional and innovative techniques. The cocktails for the evening will pair beautifully with Danielle and the team’s menu. Think bursting fruity and rich tones, with a touch of warmly spiced notes that will take your dining experience to the next level.”
As part of the broader World Class Cocktail Festival festivities, venues across Sydney will offer $15 cocktails and limited edition menu items. The World Class Cocktail Festival kicks off this Friday, 9 September – Sunday, 18 September. The program and tickets can be found at www.worldclasscocktailfestival.com
NEW TO THE PROGRAM:
Tanqueray No.TEN presents Icebergs at The Bar, Double Bay
With Bondi’s legendary Icebergs Dining Room and Bar currently closed for renovations, Maurice Terzini will be popping up the Icebergs Bar team for one night only at his hotel residency at The Bar, located in the InterContinental, Double Bay. Joining Maurice and the Icebergs team will be a giant of the cocktail world, Erik Lorincz, who will be making some exquisite Tanqueray No.TEN cocktails, delicious food and live jazz from The Intercontinental All Stars.
Friday 16 September, 5pm till late Entry is free
Talisker Takeover at The Doss House
Affectionately earning its name in the early 1900s, The Doss House is steeped in rich history as sailors would transit through The Rocks seeking it out to enjoy a dram of whisky and a safe space to sleep. Talisker is set to take over the cavernous sandstone space for an evening of tall tales, Talisker cocktails, jaffle cheese pairings, and an oyster tasting, alongside live music from Izzi Manfredi (formerly of The Preatures), and storytelling from Global Talisker Ambassador Ervin Trykowski and whisky legend Dave Broom.
Wednesday 14 September, 5pm-late Entry is free
The Ultima Don Julio Dinner at Cafe Sydney
Don Julio tequila and Cafe Sydney will collaborate on a series of exquisite dining experiences and luxury tequila pairings, with Don Julio’s Global Brand Ambassador, Karina Sanchez, hosting an exclusive lunch and dinner session from the iconic Cafe Sydney private dining room. Pairing Don Julio, the world’s most luxurious tequila with an exceptional Cafe Sydney dining experience, Executive Chef Sarahjane Brown has curated a three-course meal with arrival and dessert canapés, designed to perfectly complement premium Don Julio tequila cocktails. Guests will also be treated to tastings of Don Julio’s most prestigious liquids including 1942 and the newest member of the Don Julio familia: Don Julio Ultima Reserva.
Tuesday 13 September, 7-10pm
Talisker ‘Island Life’ at Saint Peter
Matt Whiley and Josh Niland share a passion for sustainability, with both pioneering ways of rethinking waste in food and drink in the hospitality industry. The two come together again for a limited-edition cocktail available exclusively at Saint Peter throughout the World Class Cocktail Festival. Inspired by the Isle of Skye (Talisker’s rugged home), Whiley has developed a delicious salt and smoke infused whisky cocktail that will transport you straight to the Scottish Isles. Enjoy ‘Island Life’ with Talisker 10 Year Old, salted blackberry vermouth, burnt oyster shell, and lacto fermented oats- only at Saint Peter.
Available 9-19 September
World Class Winner Takes On Hickson House
The newly crowned winner of the global World Class Bartender of the Year competition will appear at The Rocks, serving up their favourite Johnnie Walker cocktail to guests who drop by Hickson House Distilling Co. for a Friday afternoon beverage from the world’s best.
Friday 16 September, 5.30pm-late
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Don Julio Food Truck Fiesta with Roy Choi
Australia’s best food trucks unite for an epic food and drink fiesta.
Don Julio will bring the spirit of La Familia to The Rocks, assembling Australia’s best food truck purveyors for an epic outdoor Food Truck Fiesta. The line-up of the country’s best food trucks will be led by pioneer of the global food truck movement; Roy Choi, who is collaborating with pioneer of the Aussie food truck movement, Raph Rashid, to create a limited edition Kogi x Taco Truck menu. Beatbox Kitchen (Melbourne) Ricos Tacos (Sydney) and Taco Truck Dos are also in the mix with live DJs, large tables for communal dining and ice cold Don Julio margaritas by the team from El Loco.
Thursday 15 September – Friday 16 September 5.30pm & 8pm sittings Saturday 17 September, 12pm & 2pm sittings
$25pp includes your first cocktail and bite of food Tickets here
The Singleton Open House
For the love of taste, the Singleton and Shell House’s Joel Bickford and Aaron Ward will be Opening House, welcoming acclaimed chef Danielle Alvarez who has curated a line-up of extraordinary chefs for a culinary journey of seasonal, produce-first food, cooked with heart. For one night only, joining Danielle in the kitchen will be Trisha Greentree (Fratelli Paradiso + 10 William Street, Brae, Mr Wong), Analiese Gregory (Franklin, Quay, The Ledbury, Le Meurice), Jemma Whiteman (Ante, Pinbone, Billy Kwong) and Shell House’s own Rosa Scatigna (Shell House, ARIA, The Hand & Flowers). The collective will deliver a five-course menu that reframes Single Malts through a disruptively honest approach to high end dining made to be enjoyed with exceptional Singleton cocktails at Shell House’s elegant Dining Room and Terrace. Highly awarded and acclaimed bartender Bannie Kang from Singapore will join the line-up of talent, crafting five unique Singleton drinks to complete the five-course dinner, with each chef creating their own dish, a love letter to the world of whisky, once closed off and full of rules, now bravely transformed by The Singleton, cuisine and craft. An unforgettable evening, indeed.
Wednesday 14 September, 7-10.30pm
$375pp for five courses and five matching The Singleton cocktails Tickets here under reservations for 14 September
Tanqueray No.TEN Evening with Ago Perrone at Bennelong
Imagine sipping on the world’s best gin martini with the world’s best view. This September, you can.
For one night only, cocktail lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to Bennelong to experience a one-of-a-kind dining experience as legendary Ago Perrone of The Connaught Bar (London) partners with Executive Chef Peter Gilmore and Head Chef Rob Cockerill to take guests on a four-hour guided culinary journey celebrating Tanqueray No. TEN.
Friday 16 September, 7.30pm
$375pp for three-course meal with arrival and dessert canapés, and paired cocktails
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lyaness Supper Club at Quay
Be one of the few to enjoy delicious bites by Executive Chef Peter Gilmore and luxury Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails at Quay’s pop-up whisky lounge. The three-hatted fine dining restaurant will partner with luxurious Johnnie Walker Blue Label to unveil Sydney’s best Supper Club at the award-winning restaurant. The custom designed pop-up will serve signature whisky beverages and premium whisky cocktails curated by internationally renowned multi-award-winning bartender, Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr Lyan, who’s London venue Lyaness was recently awarded Best Bar in the World at the prestigious Spirited Awards by Tales of the Cocktail, with three dishes designed by Australia’s most celebrated chef, Peter Gilmore.
Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 & Friday 16 September, 6 & 9pm sittings
$170pp for three dishes and three paired cocktails
$15 COCKTAILS, SEPTEMBER 9-18:
Apollonia, Arthouse Hotel, Bar Mille, Bistecca, Blossom Bar, Cantina OK!, Cartel, Cruise Bar, Dean’s Lounge, Double Deuce, Frank Mac’s, Fortune of War, Grain Bar, Glenmore Hotel,Gin Lane, Grandma’s Bar, Harbour View Hotel, Hotel Palisade, Hotel Sweeney’s, Hyde Hacienda Sydney, INDU Dining, Kid Kyoto, Light Brigade Hotel, Mejico Restaurant, Orient Hotel, Paragon Hotel, Ryan’s Bar, Rocker, Ramblin’ Rascals, Shelbourne Hotel, Sydney Park Hotel, Sneaky Possum, The Doss House, The Mercantile, The Gidley, The Rover, The Baxter Inn, The Greens North Sydney, Tequila Daisy, Parlar, Porteno, The Grounds City, The Grounds Potting Shed, O’Malley’s Hotel, Woollahra Hotel, The Squire’s Landing, The Carter, PJ O’Brien’s, White Cockatoo Hotel, Whalebridge, Uncle Mings.