Well known for his mega-venue, ivy, Justin Hemmes has again showed why he is the most influential personality in the hospitality scene by opening Palmer & Co. and The Fish Shop is successive weeks. Palmer & Co. is a certified cocktailing haven tucked under the iconic Tank Stream Bar.
News
The latest bar and bartender news.
Here are the finalists for what is billed as the most prestigious industry awards night on the Australian hospitality calendar, the Australian Bar Awards – it really is the ‘Oscars’ of the bar industry. Head to barweek.com.au for all the finalists.
In exciting news Paul Fitzsimmons and Owen Westman (l-r above) owners of the Collection Bar (Melbourne) have booked a stand at this year’s Sydney Bar Week so that they can show off their recently launched handmade syrups to thousands of avid drinks consumers and hordes of bartending professionals.
Chris Denman (Bartender of the Year Competition finalist 2011) and his partner Stevie Waite are some of Brisbane’s newest bar operators, with their Ann Street venue – Fourth Wall – pegged to launch by mid-June pending their licensing being approved. “The venue’s name taps into the old theatre concept of in imaginary wall that separates the actors from reality,” Denman explained. “We want to create a space that will let you escape from reality for a few hours and enjoy a venue that is intimate in what it offers, comfortable and fun.”
We are looking for a talented barkeep who has got as much flair with the pen as they do with a jigger to join our team a few days a week at our Sydney office.
You must have previous publishing experience and a good work ethic.
Nestled behind an actual basement record store on 73 York Street, Sydney, Mojo Record Bar is set to be a new home for fans of 60s, garage, surf and stoner rock. The venue, which opened early this month everything going to plan, is brought to you by Daniel McManus, John Ruttan and Natalie Ng (ex-Hugos Bar Pizza and Café Pacifico) who will also be managing the 120 capacity venue. “We’ll be playing a bit of cheesey stuff too with a splash of Neil Young and more modern groups like the White Stripes,” adds Ng.
After a recent trip to Brissie, Bartender heard that some local lads were blending up their own whisky at the Laneway, so we chatted to Perryn Collier about what he was up to. “Blending whisky is by no stretch of the imagination a new idea,” Collier stated. “We decided to blend our own in house whiskey as a way of offering our patrons an interesting whisky experience that is unique to our venue, something that is unattainable elsewhere.”
You’ve heard of pop-up bars, but what about pop-up menus? Well the team at Lui Bar lead by David Nguyen-Luu (ex-Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney & Perth) and consulted by cocktailian extraordinaire Sebastian Raeburn have unveiled plans for their new look menu.
Are you a Sydney bartender? Just create a cocktail using Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur and a complimentary canapé, for the total set price of $20 per person.
David Broom is a man whose business it is to get around the world of whisk(e)y and he recently launched theworldmasterclass.com so that he might share his vast knowledge with those who dare. “The aim of The World Masterclass of Whisky is simple,” Broom told Bartender. “To educate people around the world about spirits! And whisky is just the start!”
It’s an encouraging sign when any operator can open one bar in any state or suburb, let alone two. However Perth entrepreneur Tony Tricarico (Malt Supper Club and Duchess) is on the verge of a small empire with his third venue, Lost Society, set to have just launched.
You don’t need to be a wizard to see that Mexican themed bars and agave spirits are on the rise in Australia. With Touché Hombre opening recently in Melbourne, El Publico in Perth and Tio’s Cervecería in Sydney, never has Australia had a better selection of joints to sip on a tequila e sangrita.