With new bar legislation looking like it will come into effect in March, Adelaide looks set to become the next Australian cocktail destination. Looking to lead that charge is The Collins, the new bar opening soon at the Hilton, smack bang in the middle of the city. We got a look at the bar last week and were impressed with what we saw — the decor is sharp and the back bar is taking shape.
New Bars
New Bars
For some 32 years or so, the space at 55 Riley Street (now home to the Parlour Group’s new bar, Riley Street Garage) was Frank Lowy’s parking space, said new owner Brody Petersen.
This week sees the opening of a new bar in the Speakeasy group’s stable: Bottleneck. Located in the space that the now defunct Art Lounge occupied in the Kirketon Hotel (and practically on Eau de Vie’s doorstep) the new bar from Sven Almenning and company…
Within a crowd’s roar of the MCG, the Mt View Hotel will no doubt provide much-needed refreshment for those heading to the cricket this summer. They’ve spruced up the offering upstairs on the rooftop, decking it out with craft beers and a new emphasis on cocktails.
Back in our June issue we brought you the news that this bar from Chris Denman (who placed 2nd to Jason Williams in the Bartender Magazine 2010 Bartender of the Year competition) and partner Stevie Wright would be coming. Its been open a few months now, and things are going well.
Beer is more important to Aussie bars than ever. Tippler’s Tap is testament to this – as manager Carl Rhodes describes it, Tippler’s “is a small neighbourhood bar with no pretense, no dress code and no crap beer.” Seems they’re clear about what they want to do with the place.
Gilt Lounge is tucked away above Gowings Bar & Dining in the quirky QT Hotel, Sydney. It is luxurious, it is exclusive, but don’t take that as bywords for a lazy bar program – this place has invested seriously in doing drinks and drinks service well.
It seems Bob Hawke is having a bit of a renaissance in the eyes of Australian drinkers – first, by christening the Workers in Balmain, and now as a part of the Print Hall venture that took over the The West Australian newspaper’s former headquarters (and including a $2.5m wine program). Bob’s Bar is adorned with the wise words muttered by the man himself: “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work today is a bum!”
The team behind Sydney’s successful Grasshopper bar – one of the first small bars to brave the CBD – have opened their second venue with wheels already in motion for a third. Boston as the café cum bar is called is nestled at the base of the Gateway building just a stone’s throw from Circular Quay.
Molecular mixology, modernist mixology – call it what you will, the fad became a trend which has now become a permanent part of a bartender’s repertoire. And at The Rabbit Hole, they’re doubling down on modernist techniques, which form the basis of a lot of their drinks.
The Honourable Julia Gillard MP finally has a local small bar and restaurant in which to drown her polling woes. The Botanist Kirribilli has just opened its doors in the old Milsons restaurant site thanks to owners Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts – the duo behind Bondi Hardware.
Though vinyl records have gone the way of the dodo, Walkmans, and car-phones, there will always be a place for intimate bars where you can get a good drink with good service. It’s not rocket science and Mojo Record Bar doesn’t over-complicate things.