“My time in tapas and pintxo bars in Spain and the Basque country demonstrated how amazing the energy was in a smaller space as conversation and banter flowed between both sides of the bar. This synergy is created with the right style of shared food and the appropriate drops to accompany these dishes.” – Owner, Geo Tapia
“While a lot of spirits have an interesting history, there is something exciting about whisky that just sings to me. From how it is made, by whom, to the sense of provenance, and the way it has evolved over the centuries, from a community spirit to this spirit that is prized the world over.”
Head up the brightly painted staircase to Botanik and the real fun (for bartenders, at least) begins. A carefully curated selection of glassware and bar equipment would leave any reader of this magazine lusting
“My start in hospitality wasn’t unlike most others in the industry – it all began in fast food,” says Rachael Hand. “But what drew me to bartending was the culture. I was sold on the sea change by a friend’s tales of devoted work family, endless creativity and all the late-night parties.”
Bar Bellamy is the first foray into venue ownership from partners in life and business, Oska and Dani Whitehart. The name comes from the French ‘bel ami’, meaning good or dear friend, and I have no doubt this bar and its staff will become that to the whole neighbourhood, and those who come from further afield.
There are also advocates for simply salting your sugar syrup. Geoff Fewell, a long-time bar wizard who is currently working at Golden Age Cinema suggests using 1% salt to sugar, as well as 1% citric acid for citrus drinks to make them pop – your Daiquiri will never be the same again.
This idea of food and beer pairings underpins the concept for their recent expansion. While they have had a ‘brewery door’ on Wellington St since 2019, when the opportunity came up to take over the two adjoining spaces, Sandery saw an opportunity to fully realise his vision.
“There’s something magical and very cool (or maybe I’m just very simple!) about taking this absolute mess of a liquid and through the clarification/milk-washing process ending up with a silky and plush liquid that can be a finished drink or an ingredient in another drink. It’s also an easy way to wow your guests…” – Darren Leany, Capitano
A perfect example of this is the only spritz I ever physically crave, the Olive Spritz at Gerald’s Bar in Melbourne. Created by Gabriel De Melo Freire, a flavour fanatic, the saltiness of the olive syrup and the dryness of the apera leave you literally salivating.
It is generally accepted that Sour cocktails are essentially individualised versions of the progenitor of cocktails, the Punch, and the Fizz is yet another variation on that spirit/citrus/sweetener template, with the addition of, well, fizz, by way of soda water.
Being served by [Rachel] is always a pleasure – she has certainly retained the warm Southern hospitality honed working first as a hostess and busser, then waiting tables in Florida. It has been in Tasmania, though, that she has turned her attention to the bar.
It can be easy to point to the influx of drinkers and bartenders from the States during Prohibition, but cocktails were already part of Cuban culture. The natural bounty of the island lends itself to cocktails – fresh fruits galore and, of course, sugar cane (ergo, rum).