BLOG: It Pays to Read by Adi Ruiz

A journey into cocktail lore…
By Adi Ruiz

“Giddy with anticipation to get down to the bar I was taken aback further still, when reading on soon after, to discover “martini’s” cocktail.”

Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m quite easily distracted. Because of this fact I’ve been known to go off on a tangent at times [...]

The Bitter Truth Releases Elixier

Always looking to the legends and forefathers of the bartending craft when creating new classics the Bitter Truth have now invoked the work of the ancient alchemists, with their latest creation Elixier: “a digestive liqueur that blurs the lines of conventional wisdom.”

elBulli to close for two years

Ferran Adrià has announced he will be taking a sabbatical in 2012-2013 and that El Bulli will not be opening for either season. So the world’s number one restaurant will be closed for two years.

Ban on Pool Cues in Queensland Pubs

The Courier Mail reported on Wednesday (27 January) that Queensland paramedics want pool cues and glass ashtrays banned at pubs and clubs to reduce the risk of being attacked by drunks.

The Laneway, Brisbane

Leading Queensland architecture and Interior design firm, Arkhefield, have contributed their designs to one of the first laneway transformations in Brisbane City as part of the ‘Vibrant Laneways and Small Spaces’ program. The venue, aptly named “The Laneway”, and co-incidentally run by ex-The Bowery bar manger, Ryan Lane, is part of the well renowned and award winning Urbane restaurant…

Vic Government eases Laws for Live Music Venues

Following the closure of The Tote in Collingwood and outcry in the press about the dismal outlook for live music venues , Liquor Licensing Victoria has opened the doors for such venues to have costly security conditions eased, reported the Geelong Advertiser (28 January).

Havana Club Masterclass: Day #5

The lucky winners of the Havana Club Rum Masterclass are hitting the Plaza de Revolution, smoking some Cubans and trying to ignore the fact that their tour is coming to a close…

Black Pearl Staff Strip Down for a Good Cause

Head to Black Pearl on Sunday, 31st January and buy a nude calendar of the Black Pearl team. Yep, that’s right, the boys and Tash have all stripped off to create a 2010 calendar to raise some funds for Prostate Cancer Research.

The New Who’s Who at Byblos, Brisbane

Last year, Byblos in Brisbane took out the Best Drinks Selection Prize at the Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards. This year, General Manager Gareth Eden has been recruiting a team of new staff to inject some new life and a new perspective into the mix.

Liquor Laws threaten Melbourne’s Live Music Scene

What is happening to Melbourne’s vibrant live music scene? A recent report in Melbourne’s Herald Sun charts the success of some of Australia’s best known music acts who’s careers were fuelled by the plethora of pubs willing to showcase their talents. Think AC/DC, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and more recently The Whitlams, who started out playing at pubs on Sunday afternoons.