I think I’ve made over three thousand of them during my years as a bartender. It’s a simple and delicious cocktail that somehow became top of mind, probably thanks to bars like Shady Pines Saloon and The Baxter Inn.
“What’s special about hospitality in Sydney is owner-operated venues, and this was the case at Porteno; it was and still is the coolest mother fuckers I’d ever seen working their arses off to make their dream venue come to life, which really drew me in.”
Al Robertson from Sonny in Hobart stocks hard-to-find and surprising Japanese wines, while in Sydney, you can sip on Sake to a vinyl soundtrack at Ante or tour Japan’s finest whiskies at Bar Besuto.
The inspiration behind the venue is former Rugby League great Tommy Raudonikaus, the quintessential Aussie larrikin whose personality resonates through the room.
Bitters are a concentrated infusion of herbs, roots, and spices that were traditionally used as medicines. Today, they play an integral role in the world of cocktails.
The French 75 is named after a badass gun that was used in World War One to shoot the crap out of tanks and aircraft. It was a mechanical pipe dream used in the war against Germany.
“A friend hooked me up as a barback at Icebergs. Those initial shifts blew my mind! I hadn’t anticipated the level of difference and the concept that the more you learn, the less you know. It was one of the best summers of my life.”
Back in the glory days of The Baxter Inn, Jackson commanded the bar with his incredibly speedy service, his obsession with perfect drinks and his down-to-earth country-boy smile. He’s just taken on the role as General Manager of Bare Bones Ice Co.
The Garibaldi, a simple concoction of Campari and freshly juiced orange, is named after the great Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Situated in the semi-heritage-listed basement of 222 Clarence Street, you can expect an ode to both past and present drinks with a concept that lends itself to all things great about hospitality. “We’re hoping to connect the dots on Clarence Street and extend the precinct,” says Lochy Paech, Owner-Operator.
“The idea was to create what we think would be the first tiki bar with the introduction of exotic flavours, like pineapple, papaya or guava. They probably didn’t have the silly shirts or the ridiculous glowing neon lights and wild garnishes. We’ll still have that element of fun, but we’ll peel back that kitsch element that it’s been associated with.” Dre Walters, Owner/ Operator
The pub will feature two televisions playing a variety of sports with one dedicated to classic 90s action films highlighting the golden age of Civic Video. “[The Magpie] will be a tiny sports bar celebrating all things Australiana with all the quirks,” says Wijesena.