16 of the best bars from around the globe will be descending on Sydney from 12 – 19 April 2023 for the inaugural Maybe Cocktail Festival. Hosted by The Maybe Group and Public Hospitality, the festival will see bar talent from 12 of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 plus three from their 51-100 list present free bar events across Sydney.
Each bartender will take up residency at one bar for a high-octane, three-hour guest shift where they will showcase their bartending prowess, cocktail creations and hospitality.
The guest shifts will be spread over four of The Maybe Group’s venues – Maybe Sammy (awarded Best Bar in Australasia at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 as well as holds a current ranking of #29), Dean & Nancy on 22 (selected for The World’s 50 Best Discovery in 2022), Sammy Junior as well as the soon-to-open Mexican Bar, El Primo Sanchez, which Public Hospitality Group is also a partner in.
“I’m not sure I can think of anything more fun than being able to enjoy a cocktail experience from some of the best bars in the world every night, for a week. It’s not cheap to travel from Australia anywhere internationally so we are thrilled to be able to bring this amazing talent pool of bartenders to Sydney so we can have those experiences without the cost of a plane ticket.” – Maybe Cocktail Festival co-director Martin Hudak
In addition, Public Hospitality’s newest rooftop hotspot, The Strand Hotel Rooftop, will also host an event. As well as this series of free bar events which are open for anyone to attend, the Maybe Cocktail Festival will also be hosting industry masterclasses and panel discussions for the local bar community.
Maybe Cocktail Festival co-director Martin Hudak said, “I’m not sure I can think of anything more fun than being able to enjoy a cocktail experience from some of the best bars in the world every night, for a week. It’s not cheap to travel from Australia anywhere internationally so we are thrilled to be able to bring this amazing talent pool of bartenders to Sydney so we can have those experiences without the cost of a plane ticket.”
Part of the agreement for all attending international bartenders is they visit bars outside of The Maybe Group and Public Hospitality, during their time in Sydney.
“We want this applauded, well-connected group of bar folk to experience just how good our bars are here. It’s really challenging for Australian bars to get the same global awareness as bars in Europe and the Americas as it’s easier and cheaper for bartenders to travel between those continents. We hope this program of sending bartenders out beyond the bars within our two hospitality groups helps the local bar industry receive the exposure they deserve and cements new relationships with like-minded bars from overseas,” said Hudak.
Public General Manager – Hospitality, Anna Touhy, believes partnering with bartenders of this calibre is a huge coup for Sydney’s bar scene. “Part of being a truly global city is having an interesting and innovative bar culture that showcases the latest drink trends from across the globe but equally reflects the best that Sydney has to offer. We are excited to welcome some of the best bartenders in the world to showcase the latest and finest innovations in drinks and partner them with some of our favourite Sydney bars to create unique experiences for our drink connoisseurs,” said Anna.
The list of bars participating in the Maybe Cocktail Festival and their ranking in The World’s 50 Best Bars are:
- #3 – Sips, Barcelona (Spain)
- #10 – Alquímico, Cartagena (Columbia)
- #12 – Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
- #13 – Hanky Panky, Mexico City (Mexico)
- #14 – BKK Social Club, Bangkok (Thailand)
- #16 – Drink Kong, Rome (Italy)
- #21 – Café La Trova, Miami (USA)
- #27 – Tres Monos, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- #31 – Line, Athens (Greece)
- #34 – Overstory (USA)
- #37 – A Bar with Shapes for a Name (UK)
- #46 – L’Antiquario, Naples (Italy)
- #59 – Schofield’s, Manchester (UK)
- #74 – Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
- #94 – Sweet Liberty, Miami (USA)
- UNLISTED – Termini (UK)