In June, Hudson Whiskey took four international bartenders across to America to take part in an immersive work experience program at the brand’s distillery in the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Bartender Working Week was aimed at giving the bartenders the opportunity to experience and understand everything that goes into the production of whiskey - from milling, cooking and fermenting to distilling, barreling and bottling. The first Australian to take part ...

  Distinction Wines, Accolade Wines’ newly established on-premise distribution business, will nationally represent some of Australia, New Zealand and Italy’s premier fine wine brands from July. Brands include South Australian icons Hardys and Grant Burge Wines, Tasmania’s House of Arras and Bay of Fires, along with Leasingham from the Clare Valley and seminal Western Australian brands, Houghton and Brookland Valley. The New Zealand and Italian offering includes wines from Kim ...

The Drinks Industry Show has welcomed industry partner Australian Bartenders Guild (ABG) to the inaugural programme, held November 16-17 at Luna Park Sydney. A non-profit, non-union organisation with membership drawn from throughout Australia. The ABG is recognised by and affiliated with the International Bartenders Association (IBA). As an independent body, the ABG provides bartenders with the opportunity to compete on both National & International levels in various cocktail mixing championships. ...

Being U.G.L.Y. is a fashion statement in SA, with Erin Zeuner the first to sign up to be U.G.L.Y. at the Bridgeway in 2015! Long-time U.G.L.Y. Bartender, and Bridgeway Hotel VM Luke Somerville is right behind Erin’s U.G.L.Y. Cause, and the whole team at the Jones Group venue will be U.G.L.Y.-fying a host of fundraising events over October and November this year. U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year is the Leukaemia ...

Liquid Rewards, SouthTrade International’s annual trade competition, has returned for 2015 with an emphasis on bar teams collaborating to win a share in the $100,000 prize offering. Open to all Australian on and off premise venues, bars can now register online via www.liquidrewards.com.au. The program has been designed to incentivise venues and encourages consumer education on SouthTrade International’s portfolio. Brands involved this year include Patrón Tequila, Green Fairy Absinth, Alizé ...

Two well-established shopping areas in Victoria and New South Wale have added new on-premise venues to their ranks this month – Waterslide Bar at Melbourne’s Southgate, and The Village Road, located within Sydney’s fashionable retail destination, The Intersection in Paddington. It is believed that the additions will help promote both areas as “exclusively all-inclusive” precincts for locals and those traveling to enjoy a more enjoyable shopping experience. Waterslide Bar at Southgate ...

Mr. Wong, Merivale’s headlining Cantonese restaurant, has announced key staffing changes as the vision behind the group’s highly anticipated takeover of the Queen Victoria Hotel begins to take foot. The developments come out of the food sector with Michael Luo joining Merivale as Head Dim Sum Chef of Mr.Wong, while Eric Koh moves to a leading role within the Queen Victoria Hotel kitchen staff. Koh will sit alongside group alums Christopher Hogarth ...

The Northern Territory loves U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year. From the busiest trendy metropolitan bar to the iconic corrugated iron outback pub, the locals embrace their U.G.L.Y. Bartenders and that is the main reason why the Northern Territory have taken out the National title in the last 4 consecutive years. In 2014 the NT and National winner was Casey Cheal from the Palmerston Tavern.  Her team raised over $31,000, holding ...

Guests at InterContinental Sydney will be able to join its new exclusive after-hours Supper Club from Thursday. Situated on the hotel’s top floor, members of the Supper Club will enjoy sweeping views of Sydney, as well as a Champagne list of 27 brands from Taittinger, Duval, Leroy and Ruinart, to name a few, plus a cocktail and food menu inspired by local produce. The new club extends the hotel’s current ...

Now in its seventh year, the Leukaemia Foundation’s U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year campaign is gearing up to be even U.G.L.Y-ier in 2015. With the help of the wider hospitality industry and participating staff, this innovative campaign has raised $6 million over the past six years to help combat Leukaemia and provide accommodation for families traveling for treatment. U.G.L.Y offers those involved an opportunity to lift venue profile, show support ...