The Crown’s Jewel Shines

James Packer (chairman of Crown), Shane Warne and Joe Hachem recently launched Melbourne’s ultra-exclusive night spot - Club 23. The opulent venue is set to set the standard for high-end tippling and with stunning panoramic views to boot it will be hard to top this venue when it comes offering a touch of luxury.

Salt to Season Chinatown Nightlife

Maz Salt, Director of Melbourne’s Office of Public Works (behind Section 8, Baba and Southpaw) has unveiled plans for a new cocktail bar that should be serving up well-chilled drinks by the time this magazine arrives in your lap.

Ferdydurke, as the venue will be named, is located directly next to Section 8 on Tattersalls lane in Chinatown. At present Salt isn’t giving away a lot about his new venture though he is letting us know it will be an artistic driven venue

Perth’s El Publico set to take a page from Tio’s style

Perth is continuing to hot up with El Publico set to be up and running by the time this issue is doing the rounds. The new contemporary style Mexican venue is a collaboration from Paul Aron (ex-Greehouse), Michael Ford (ex-Der Raum & Catina 663) and Alex Cuccovia (ex-Cantina 663) and will look to bring a fun, up-tempo

Dave Beatty takes on National Role

Dave Beatty recently took on the role as National Brand Ambassador for Ketel One vodka, his appointment announced during Ketel One Global Ambassador Justin Smyth’s (pictured above left with Beatty) recent Australian visit.

Smyth was impressed by the local industry, stating: “Australia’s bartending scene is inspiring, on-trend and with a local spin.

2011 Bar of the Year - closes its doors.

Match Bar (Bar of the Year Australian Bar Awards 2011) has closed its doors after a three year tenure. “We would like to thank you all for your patronage and friendship for the last three years,” said bar manager Russ McFadden, and the Match team, when confirming the news recently.

Bondi Crew Expand

It was a bit early to get the name - there were a few floating around - and ideas for the menu were not yet nailed down, although ’south of the boarder’ down Central America way was the idea. “Creole, gumbo and an open Taco station with hand pressed Tortillas,” Mills suggested. Despite these miner details the duo seemed relaxed about the proposition of another bustling Bondi venue to manage.