What’s On During Sydney Bar Week 2016

The programme for Sydney Bar Week 2016 has been released with a host of activities and events packed over a 4 day period.

Bar Week by Australian Bartender magazine runs from Saturday 17 September to Tuesday 20 September 2016 and culminates in the Bar Awards ceremony followed by the after-party. With so many events, masterclasses and parties, here’s a daily summary of what’s on during Bar Week 2016.

Saturday 17 September 2016

Kick off Bar Week at The Barber Shop in Sydney with Big Gin, Small Gin Seminar where Raj Nagra (Global Bombay Brand Ambassador) will be moderating a panel of Gin Experts. Topics discussed will include: Craft/Boutique vs Large Scale Distilleries, Botanical usage, Experimental Gins, Sustainability and more (2pm-4pm; $45).

Stay at The Barber Shop for Bar Week Launch Party hosted by ‘The House of Bombay’ with 2 complimentary cocktails served by Raj Nagra (Bombay Global Brand Ambassador), Loy Catada (Brand Ambassador), Sean Forsyth (Brand Ambassador), Mike Enright (The Barber Shop Director), David Nguyen-Luu (The Barber Shop General Manager). (6pm – 8pm; rsvp@thisisthebarbershop.com)

Sunday 18 September 2016

Start the day with Tio’s Bartender Brunch where Ghostboy Cantina will put on a share-style feast. (10.30am – 12.30pm; RSVP: Invite only, contact Tio’s).

Come down to Frankie’s for the Indie Tasting where more than 40 suppliers & 120 different artisan and independent spirit brands will be on show as well as 6 free seminars. (12pm – 4.30pm; $40; open to trade and consumers).

Embrace your inner Tiki at the Tiki Face Off Challenge held at The Cliff Dive where bar teams make the most outrageous tiki drinks, (4pm – 8.30pm, RSVP tom@thesocialspirits.com)

Running almost concurrently is The Aperitivo: An Italian Tale at Maybe Frank where a panel of experts in Italian Drinking culture discuss the history of the Italian aperitivo and the families and brands that made Italy great in the world. Carpano, Disaronno, Campari, Martini, Aperol, Fernet, Oscar697 & Montenegro. (5.30pm – 8pm, RSVP: matt.fabbris@gmail.com)

Whether you’ve been to the Tiki Challenge or the Aperitivo, don’t miss the Idiot Savant Prizes to celebrate the inglorious and unsung heroes of the industry. (8pm – late; more info to come)

Henrietta Supper Club is hosting a consumer session for the 28 Hong Kong Street takeover running  at 7-9pm & 9-11pm. Tickets available here

Monday 19 September 2016

Business of Bars Conference 2014

If you’re not taking part in Bartender of the Year Rounds 1 & 2 at Rambling Rascals, The Business of Bars Conference at The Whisky Room @ The Clock Hotel is the place to be. The topics are: Say it Right! Getting Results in the Media (I will be speaking on the panel); From Bartender to Bar Owner; To Theme or not to Theme?; and Running In-House Events at your Bar. (12pm to 4pm; $25 per session or $80 for 4. Book via barweek.com.au)

To celebrate the nominees for Australian Cocktail Bar of the Year, each nominee except Dead Ringer and Bulletin Place can submit their pitch for the best bottled cocktail in the country to be held at Dead Ringer. (12pm – 3pm; $20 – includes voting tokens and a beer; RSVP: to tim@deadringer.wtf)

From 2.30pm onwards, Coleman’s Academy Panel will be held at Hubert where you can listen to a collective of females across several industries discuss a broad range of issues ($10 a ticket).

Join the Bacardi Martini team for a tasting of the premium Facundo range at the Premiumisation of Rum & Exclusive Facundo Range Tasting held at The Lobo Plantation. (5pm – 6.30pm; RSVP by invitation only. Numbers are strictly limited.) The Top 8 of the Bartender of the Year will also be announced.

Simon Difford, author of the Difford’s Guide is hosting Disaronno presents: Simon Difford at the Champagne Room in the Winery where he will be discussing makes “great bars great”, what the “next style of mixing is going to be”. (6pm – 8pm; RSVP: mfabbris@spiritsplatform.com.au)

The Blend by Beam Suntory will present Bourbon Street at a location TBC where Bourbon St comes alive with live music, Bourbon delights, New Orleans inspired food. (8pm – 10pm; more info to come) .

The party isn’t over yet. Head over to Henrietta for 28 Hong Kong Street takeover for a true taste of Singapore with Maison Ferrand & Plantation Rum (10pm – 3am; free entry)

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Academy of Bartenders will be presenting four speakers talking about the world of Whisky, Rum, Tequila and Gin at Grain Bar. The guest speakers are yet to be announced. (10.30am – 4.30pm)

Over at Big Poppa’s, Tomas Estes will introduce Ocho Tequila’s new 750ml packaging and talk about the latest and upcoming vintages. (Numbers strictly limited. RSVP: Essential. Email andy@vanguardluxurybrands.com).

This is the big one…The 16th Annual Bartender Magazine Bar Awards are back at Doltone House where more than 600 of the industry’s leading professionals gather for the distribution of awards, as voted by the trade for the trade. This is where The final round of the Bartender of the Year Competition will be held live on stage. (5.30pm – 11.30pm; )

This year’s Bar Awards After Party at The Cliff Dive is themed Disco Fever, with a disco dance competition and a chance to be crowned Australian 2016 Disco Champ. (11.30pm till late; door charge $20 or can of food for City Mission. Dress: polyester)

NOTE: This article will be updated when more information comes to hand.

We look forward to seeing there!