Whisky Wanderer, Rum Diary Bar Sold, Demystifying Italian Amaro, Hangover-Free Synthetic Alcohol, New Cocktail Bars, Shiso Leaf Cocktails and more in our curated cocktail-related articles, local and international spirit and bar news, new bars and recommended reads.
Whisky Highball – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
The Rum Diary Bar Sold
The Rum Diary Bar in Melbourne has been sold to new owner Jacob Goss (formally from Penny Young) who will continue with the rum focus. The venue was opened in 2013 by Hamish Goonetilleke and later became the birthplace of Rum Diary Spiced Rum. The brand will continue to operate independently with now partner of the business and Brand Ambassador, Daniel Monk. Hamish & Dan are continuing to grow the business nationally and plan to open an Experimental Kitchen space as a test kitchen and interactive space in Melbourne’s CBD in the near future. Beneath Driver Lane is still operating as usual.
Whisky Season & Whisky Wanderer
- Now that whisky season is upon us, head on over to our Instagram and check out our highlights from The Whisky Show held over the weekend at Mascot.
- The Glenfiddich Whisky Wanderer is a 1972 vintage Leyland bus converted into a premium whisky lounge on wheels. Get on board the the bus with our insta stories and keep an eye out for it at the Good Food & Wine Show. More details here.
In the News
- If you’re looking for an unusual cocktail ingredient, give shiso leaf a go with these easy recipes (source).
- For a snapshot of Australian Distillers, take an in-depth look at our Meet the Distiller series which we launched this year. If you’re an Australian distiller and would like to be featured, feel free to contact us here.
- Looking for Martini inspiration? Our #fridaynightmartiniritual has been going strong and is nearing its first anniversary.
- The latest in the home bar bottle envy is this seductive bottle of Mermaid Gin from Isle of Wight Distillery (source).
New Bars
- Two late night venues have opened in the heart of Sydney. Take a look at the dark and moody Esquire Drink + Dine and its sister venue, Reign at the QVB where Champagne is the queen on the menu including its use in cocktails.
- Sydney has welcomed a new whisky bar with the recent opening of the Highlander Bar at Sir Stamford Sydney.
- Are micro bars the new trend? Following the opening of 20 pax bar Cantina OK! earlier in the year, Baraki Bar, an eight-seater Greek-inspired cocktail bar has opened adjacent to Alpha Restaurant in Sydney CBD.
- Chuck’s Bar in Sydney’s Darlinghurst has opened with the premise of cocktails and hip hop vibes.
- Jackalberry, a new hotel bar opening at The Hyatt Regency in Sydney promises to bring an inner city jungle. Stay tuned for more.
Recommended Reads
- Demystifying Italian Amaro: this informative article splits Italy’s signature bitter into Fruits and Vegetables, Barks, Beans and Pods, and Flowers, Roots and Herbs. (source)
- Remember synthethol from Star Trek? Hangover-Free Synthetic Alcohol Could Be Ready in Five Years. (source)
Opening a new cocktail bar soon? Contact us here.
