The Australia Coupe, The Cabana Rooftop Pool Bar, Burdekin Rooftop Bar, Sydney Bar Week 2021, Diageo World Class, New Archie Rose Distillery, Maybe Dean and more in the final edition of industry news for 2020.
Photo Credit: Burdekin Rooftop Bar
The Australia Coupe
The NSW heat of The Australia Coupe took place on Sunday 6 December at Dulcie’s cocktail bar in Sydney’s Kings Cross. The event marked the inaugural all-Australian spirits cocktail competition with Jade Oduro of Dean’s Lounge in Potts Point coming in first place followed by Shayde O’Casey of Bar Toto on the Central Coast. The judges were Lindsay Silcox of Gin Lane, Malcolm Gandar of Sweet & Chilli and myself. The finals will be held at Dulcie’s on Monday 14 December 2020.
The Cabana Rooftop Pool Bar
A touch of the French Riviera is coming to Sydney this summer with the opening of The Cabana Rooftop Pool Bar on Level 3 of the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. The space has been transformed into a blue and white oasis, surrounded by lemon trees for guests to enjoy as they lay on their very own cabana or lounge chair. In partnership with Citadelle Gin, The Cabana is serving Gin and Tonics, Gin and Lemonade’s, a signature Citadelle Martini paired with oysters and a range of summer cocktails.
The Cabana opens on Thursday 10th December from 6pm onwards and runs until March 2021.
Burdekin Rooftop Bar
The Burdekin Hotel in Sydney’s Surry Hills is launching its new rooftop bar on Friday 18 December. With sweeping vistas from its fifth storey level, Sydney-siders can sip on original and fun cocktails like the Slutty Mermaid, described as “a sugary hit of summer with a sharp and sexy slap” and the Ambra, “a dark and heady zen seduction” with Jack Daniel’s, Cognac, violet tea infusion, medjool date syrup and lemon juice. The launch coincides with a revamped food and drinks menu.
The Burdekin Rooftop Bar is located on 2 Oxford St, Darlinghurst and is open Mon-Thur:, 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm-12am and Sun: 12pm-10pm.
Sydney Bar Week Returns in 2021
Australian Bartender magazine has announced the return of Sydney Bar Week in 2021. The four day event will be taking place from 18-21 September 2021, including the 20th year of the Bartender Magazine Bar Awards, the Indie Spirits Tasting, the Business of Bars Conference and the Whiskey Roadshow, as well as other events not to be missed.
New Archie Rose Distillery
Archie Rose Distilling Co has announced the opening of a new distillery in Banksmeadow, Sydney, 4km south of the original Rosebery distillery.
The new site features a number of custom designed, and world-first production elements, enabling Archie Rose to transition to “cold distilled” botanicals for their gin & vodka ranges, as well as a highly innovative and patented whisky production process which has been in development for over four years.
The new distillery will also provide contract distilling services to other drinks producers, while the Rosebery site will feature an expanded cellar door, spirits education and events offering.
Maybe Dean?
Maybe Sammy owners have announced a partnership with Stefano di Blasi and Edoardo Perlo of Salt Meats Cheese and Eterna to open a multi-level establishment in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Two venues are set to open in December, La Costa Bar and Cielo Rooftop Bar. These will be followed by La Costa Restaurant and an all-day wine bar in January 2021.
The team has also announced that they will be opening a new venue in Sydney. Deans on 22 (working title) is set to open in early 2021, a partnership with TFE Hotels, located at the top of the new hotel on the corner of George and Hunter streets in Sydney CBD.
Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Returns in 2021
Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year is returning in 2021 with the winner to be crowned in a unique multi-format event hosted in Madrid, Spain from 5-8th July 2021. The move to Madrid for the 2021 Global Finals, from the intended 2020 host city of Sydney, allows the adapted event greater flexibility to work across multiple timezones. Instead, Sydney has been confirmed as the host city for the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals 2022.
From Our Socials
- Pacific Moonshine Collab Between Cape Byron Distillery and Stone & Wood
- Highlights of The Australia Coupe
- Highlights of the Sydney Gin Palooza
- Fever-Tree Soda Collection Launch
- Thanksgiving Old Fashioned with Westward
Annual Break
The time has (almost) come to bid farewell to 2020. As of Friday 11 December 2020, Cocktails & Bars will be on an annual break and will return on Monday 1 February 2021. During that time, we will be auto-publishing a new and exciting summer drink series. In the lead up to Australia Day, as with every year, we’ll be presenting our very own brand new and original Australia-themed cocktail.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for tomorrow’s article, Cocktail Trends 2020 & Predictions for 2021.
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and safe festive season and look forward to welcoming you back in 2021.
