BARTENDER: Lee Potter-Cavanagh, Sydney

Introducing Victoria Room Bartender and one of the Top Ten in the 2009 Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition, Mr Lee Potter-Cavanagh…

Tim Wastell leaves Blue Diamond

The man we all affectionately know as Tim ‘God Damn’ Wastell and last year’s Bar Manager of the Year at the Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards is leaving Blue Diamond.

The Squire’s Bounty, Hobart

The Squire’s Bounty is the latest James Squire concept bar to open its doors and the first to make landfall in Tasmania. The venue opened mid-December 2009 and is located in iconic Salamanca Square with the aim in mind to provide Tasmanians with “premium craft beer and food matching experiences in a lively, convivial atmosphere.”

Alex Ross moves to Order of Melbourne

One of Australia’s favourite (and Most Influential!) bar personalities, Ms Alex Ross, has left Match Bar & Grill to work Mr Influential himself, Mr Vernon Chalker, at his venue, Order of Melbourne, kicking off next week.

El Jimador Upgrades to 100% Agave

El Jimador which hails from the Casa Herradura stable has recently been re-released in new packaging and even more importantly as a 100% agave Tequila.

New Guernica, Melbourne

New Guernica is the newest and certainly one of the most unique nightspots to open in Melbourne. Occupying the space that only months ago held FFour, New Guernica is an eclectic mix of Hansel and Gretel meets Alice in Wonderland with just a sprinkling of Beowulf thrown in for good measure.

Belvedere Hotel, Sydney

Opened early October 2009 saw the opening of The Belvedere Hotel – the latest offering from the J&J O’Brien Hoteliers Group behind such Sydney venues as The Marlborough Hotel; The Watershed Hotel; COHIBAR; Jacksons on George; and Jordons Seafood Restaurant.

Der Raum Summer Menu Edition 2010

We’re always excited to see what the guys at Der Raum are up to with their drinks. The guys are particularly excited about the new technique applied in the Velvet Fog, and promise they will be looking at further ways to develop this through the year with some more interesting stuff coming out for autumn & winter.

Zeta launches Cryogenic Sorbet and Cocktail Bar

Sydney’s multi-award winning Zeta bar will be transformed into a 50’s-style ice cream parlour each Friday evening until the end of March, to serve their iced cocktails in cones and cups from the new Cryogenic Sorbet and Cocktail Bar.

CLASSIC: The Florodora

I’ve always been a fan of a good story and of a good gin drink too. The Florodora (often spelt misspelt in bar books as the ‘Floradora’) is a great marriage of both these wonderful things and so is not to be passed up in these pages. Here’s how the story goes…