Get into part two of our look at the best experiences the bar world has to offer.
Venues
Venues
Perhaps food and drink got too serious there for a while, too self-referential. The experience became less about the company you kept and more about food for food’s sake. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for grown up food and drink – pounding back tequilas and tinnies of beer is not for everyone, after all. And it’s to those folks that Cellar Bar, Melbourne is looking. The place is grown up, refreshingly lacking in irony, and is a whole lot of fun.
I got to thinking the other day about what have been my favourite bar experiences over the years and I wondered what other people might say was their all time best bar visits – excluding of course those places that they either own or work at. So I asked!
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.
The Local Taphouse concept has been one of the instrumental players in bringing boutique beers to the the palates of the drinking public. We took a moment to sit down with team responsible..
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…
Oysters have long been prized by foodies. Instagram is full of snapshots of latte art, glasses of wine framed by scenic views and oysters. Dozens upon dozens of beautiful bivalves.
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.
With a list put together by Matt Hewitt (ex-The Bowery, where he won Bar Manager of the Year in the 2007 Australian Bar Awards) cocktails are front and centre at this Brisbane bar.
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.