Native Yam Vodka, Rums of the Caribbean, live ceremony for World’s 50 Best Bars, top 500 bars, Scout London closes and more in this edition of industry news.
Rums of the Caribbean: Tom Bulmer (left), Loy Catada (right) – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
The World’s 50 Best Bars Returns with Live Awards
The World’s 50 Best Bars has announced that it will unveil the results as part a live awards ceremony on Tuesday, 7th December 2021, at London’s Roundhouse. The ceremony forms part of a two-day event programme, and the list will be based on members of The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy’s bar experiences across a voting period between March 2020 to September 2021. Three special award announcements will take place in the weeks running up to the ceremony:
- 18th November – Michter’s Art of Hospitality. This award is voted for by all members of The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, who are asked to name the bar where they received the single best hospitality experience during the voting period
- 25th November – Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. This award is voted for by the bartenders behind those bars on this year’s list, who are asked to name one peer who has done more to further the craft of bartending than any other, with reference to their work throughout the pandemic
- 2nd December – The extended 51-100 list. Five days before the virtual awards ceremony, 50 Best will reveal those bars ranked between 51st and 100th in the world on its website and social media channels
The countdown of the list and the awards programme will also be broadcast through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and YouTube.
Top 500 Bars
Top 500 bars has announced the new ranking of the most influential bars in the world from 500 to 300 using an algorithm. This year, the ranking involves 113 different cities (compared to 105 last year), 53 different countries (52 last year), with new cities like Istanbul, Nha Trang and Syracuse. Below are the Australian bars that made the 300-500 list:
- 308. Opera Bar (Sydney/Australia)
- 310. Employees Only (Sydney/Australia)
- 319. Grandma’s Bar (Sydney/Australia)
- 335. Shady Pines Saloon (Sydney/Australia)
- 336. Papa Gede’s (Sydney/Australia)
- 343. Gin Palace (Melbourne/Australia)
- 359. Maybe Mae (Adelaide/Australia)
- 364. Madame Brussels (Melbourne/Australia)
- 372. Palmer and Co (Sydney/Australia)
- 388. Lui Bar (Melbourne/Australia)
- 415. Beneath Driver Lane (Melbourne/Australia)
- 446. Romeo Lane (Melbourne/Australia)
- 458. The Barber Shop (Sydney/Australia)
Scout London Closes Permanently
Matt Whiley of London bar Scout has announced on social media the closure of the bar in an Instagram post citing the pandemic as the reason. “Permanently closed. Covid beat us. Thank you to everyone that came, enjoyed and supported over the last 4 1/4 years. Choose local, eat local, support local.”
From Our Socials and Recommended Reads
Native Yam Vodka
Seven Seasons Spirits has released Native Yam Vodka, made from wild-harvested yams from the Top End. According to Seven Seasons’ Daniel Motlop, it’s the first time native yams have been used to make alcohol. “I wanted to create a drink that was both distinctive and delicious,” says Motlop. “And I love the way the native yams create a creamy, warm and earthy flavour. It smells like fresh, wet dirt, but in a really good way, and reminds me of home.”
Earthy with a creamy mouthfeel and a hint of nuttiness, it goes perfectly in a dry Martini such as this one, garnished with finger lime.
Rums of the Caribbean
Rums of the Caribbean, a trade masterclass co-hosted by Loy Catada, Brand Ambassador at Bacardi-Martini Australia and Tom Bulmer, Director of The Rum Club Australia was an outstanding historical lesson covering the origins of rum in the Caribbean region along with various tastings. Held at Rosie Campbell’s rum bar in Sydney’s Surry Hills (prior to lockdown), a customised map of the region played centre stage to the masterclass, complete with small naval ship, flags and bottles of rum which added an exciting element to learning about this vast and often confusing category. The aim was to educate the trade audience to help them navigate the myriad of rums rather than focus on a singular brand. Take a look at some of the images here.
Getting Philosophical on Martinis
Alessandro Palazzi of Dukes Bar in London Gets Philosophical on Martinis (source)
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