Kicking it in Kentucky! The Bourbon Trail, Aussie-style

This trip to Middle America was something I always wanted to do over the past 12 years of publishing Bartender magazine but never had the balls to just book it and go myself.

Bar Awards Voting Closed!

Voting for this year’s Australian Bar Awards has come to an end - so once again a big thank you to all who participated.

Australian Bar Awards 2011 - Voting Open March 1

It’s hard to believe - but it’s coming to that time of the year once more; time to get your vote on for the only national awards night dedicated to our beloved bar industry.
As of March 1 voting will be open for the Australian Bar Awards at www.barshow.com.au so head there soon to check out [...]

Copper Cup Finalists Announced!

The past week has seen 45 bartenders put through their paces at the annual Smirnoff Black Copper Cup Semi Finals. Held across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, this year’s educational component was hosted by Agusti Vidal; a freelance perfume consultant from Spain.

DRINKS WITH Jim Meehan, PDT, New York

Jim Meehan, co-owner of New York’s worst kept secret - the speak-easy style cocktail bar Please Don’t Tell - lays it on the table at Sydney BarShow 09

Australia’s Best Bartender!

The 2009 Australian Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition (sponsored by Club Suntory) brought out the best of Australian bartending talent in a competition that tested their knowledge of the backbar with a gruelling written exam, their ability to serve a custromer, their savvy at identifying the ingredients in a cocktail in a blind tasting and their skill at presenting and creating two signature cocktails to a panel of esteemed critics.

Council Restricts Sugarmill’s Alfresco Drinking

Last year, the Sugarmill Hotel was granted a trial outdoor licence by the Council to put a beer garden in the mall which is an alcohol-free zone. At a council meeting at the beginning of the month, the licence was extended by 12 months but with some severe new restrictions in response to residential complaints.

Australia Finds World Class Bartender

Tuesday saw the long anticipated Australian final of Reserve Brands’ World Class bartending competition with Adrian Ruiz-Avila (Adi Ruiz) from Melbourne’s Seamstress/Sweatshop taking out first place after an arduous day of competition.

Slick Start for Ultrapour’s Professional

On Tuesday this week Ultrapour, Suntory Australia’s premium division, celebrated the final of their inaugural Ultrapour’s Professional competition at Kit & Kaboodle in Kings Cross

OPERATOR FOCUS: Taj Hospitality

Interview by Simon McGoram

Photography courtesy of venue
“You are your own greatest competition, create your own handwriting and combine your business sense with your gut instincts.”  - Kevin Singh

Hello. First of all who is Taj Hospitality?
SS: “Taj Hospitality is the team behind The Red Hummingbird and new venue The Emerald Peacock. The team [...]