“This resistance to the normality of a cocktail bar and the ultimate strive for perfection is the reason I had to work with him. Another reason, for me at least, is that he has owned and operated an award-winning bar for five years now.”
Venues
Venues
With a range of over 100 tequilas and mezcal and an abundance of agave spirits, Sinaloa aims to showcase the diversity and depth of Mexican spirits through their bar.
“I don’t care about awards, who the chef is or how fancy the fit-out looks. The first thing I look for is ‘do they do what they say on the tin’?”
Memphis Slim’s is a Chicago-inspired cocktail den with pool tables and dart boards to keep you amused. Live music, with a focus on the Blues (as you’d expect) is the go on the weekends.
“The Piccolo Bar, is the oldest café in Kings Cross, dating all the way back to 1952. In 2020, I heard that it was about to be lost forever and so I felt compelled to take the plunge and try to save this iconic hospitality venue.”
Sixty Smith is all about the simple things in life: delicious food, good company and small acts of kindness. You’ll find seasonal food alongside handcrafted cocktails, local wines and regular community events.
‘The long-term fate for Frankie’s as we know it is out of our control, but our legacy as one of the world’s great Rock bars is set in stone. The people are on our side, and we are taking this opportunity to give them our very best while we still can.’
The concept of bringing the magic of the 1950s-style ‘hotel’ bar experience from Maybe Sammy into a premium hotel is something Catino and the team have been wanting to do for a while.
Eleven Bridges, South Brisbane’s own gin bar and distillery, ready and waiting for you to sample their Brisbane-inspired drops. The brainchild of Lyal Midgley, Rugby League legend Darren Lockyer and Mark Nightingale, Eleven Bridges Gin Bar and Distillery makes its home in the former Peel Street Tavern.
Taking over multiple cocktail lists, bartender training and relaunching a venue is no easy task. For reigning Australian Bartender of the Year, Alex ‘Gondz’ Gondzioulis, the new challenge has arrived, stepping into the Group Bar Manager role at Liquid & Larder.
The building was a dental surgery and hadn’t been used in 15 years. The idea to convert it to the cantina and cocktail bar was the perfect fit. “It’s tiny and we love it like that,” says Mark.
The drinks program at the venue is spear-headed by bar power duo Mikey Braun and Max Hart. According to Mikey the venue is all about being part of the local community. “We are Abbotsford born and bred, the name itself comes from the original stone mason façade,” he says. “To us, it reflects unique Aussie lingo and represents the area perfectly.”