Lewis Jaffrey of the Swillhouse Group and The Lobo Plantation’s Jared Merlino will open the doors to their new late night dining restaurant and bar on Monday. Located on Oxford St in Darlinghurst, Sydney, Jaffrey and Merlino have transformed the former site of Hello Sailor into exactly the kind of bar they’d like to hang out in - think an eclectic mix of modern European cuisine, cheese and wine, and hip hop. ...

Tequila Herradura has unveiled the fourth release from its ‘house’ series, Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2015. The new tequila – Directo de Alambique – is crafted from 100 per cent blue agave and fermented with natural yeast. Bottled without any prior barrel ageing, the tequila is a reflection of its name, which translates to “Direct from the Still”. This makes for a crystal- clear spirit with robust notes of sweet agave, ...

Bartenders and bar owners from the top 50 bars globally have named their favourite spirit brands in a recent report run by Drinks International. The drinks magazine asked participating bars from Australasia, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to state which brands they love the most and simply couldn’t be without in the Bartenders’ Choice poll. For the third time in four years, it was Tanqueray which received bars’ ...

The winners of the 2015 AHA-Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence were announced at the Lion Gala Ball at Crown Perth on Monday, 17 November. The Ashby Bar and Bistro was named WA’s best retail bottle shop, receiving the Retail Bottle Shop Award. The awards recognise accommodation hotels, pubs, bars, dining and tourism facilities, as well as employees that demonstrate excellence within the industry. AHA(WA) CEO, Bradley Woods said on the ...

The Paddington on Oxford Street has reopened this week, under new management with Merivale. Located in the centre of the historic inner-Sydney strip, The Paddington (formerly The Paddington Arms) will serve a rotisserie-led menu by Executive Chef Ben Greeno, cocktails by Palmer and Co.’s Sam Egerton and Toby Marshall and wine curated by the award-winning Franck Moreau and Adrian Filiuta. Justin Hemmes, Merivale CEO, said on the opening: “We are ...

A new hospitality group, running under the name Goodtime Hospitality, has officially set up in Sydney this week. The group is co-owned by entrepreneurs James Bodel and Locky Paech, who made their mark with the opening of their first venue and renovation in the inner west on Monday (November 2). Formerly The White Cockatoo, the duo have reopened the Petersham favourite as the West Village, following three months under renovation. ...

A new boutique distributor has opened for business in Australia. Coined The Pisco People, the distributor is also a wholesaler and online retailer that specialises in importing piscos from South America. Currently The Pisco People is importing from four South American producers, including Viñasde Oro, Pisco Portón, De Carral and Cuatro G’s. Styles in the portfolio include single variety Quebranta and Italia styles, Acholado - a mix of two or more ...

Bartenders are invited to audition for the role of DRiNKS TV presenter. The auditions will take place during the Drinks Industry Show at Luna Park in The Crystal Palace from 1pm onwards on Monday the 16th of November. Candidates will be invited to make one of three classic cocktails, giving a brief background and making the drink while explaining the process to camera – all in 3 minutes. “We are excited ...

Merivale has announced that it will be unveiling eight new venues by February. Venues joining Merivale include the iconic Newport Arms Hotel, The Paddington, J&M, Queen Victoria Hotel, Fred’s, Sussex 1854, Wine bar, King Street and Chicken Shop. Justin Hemmes, Merivale CEO said: “This intense period of Merivale’s growth is such an exhilarating time for the group. It’s the excitement of diversity and a real need to feed the increasing appetites of Sydney-siders for interesting, ...

Teeling Whiskey Company has begun exporting Irish single malt whiskey from its new Dublin distillery; the newest distillery to be built in the capital of Ireland in 125 years. The new distillery was opened to meet growing demand as the category faces revival for the first time since the declines of the late 19th century. The opening will ensure that Teeling Whiskey Company has complete control over production in Ireland. ...