Snacks share a history in our bars and pubs. A complimentary bowl of chips or nuts for example, has become a measure of good hospitality in many venues. From the perspective of publicans and liquor retailers, snacks have also always provided an opportunity to increase margins by upselling and increasing basket size. Find out about a growing number of snack food brands targeted specifically at the on and o…

BACARDÍ has released the second episode of its three-part video series, Party Talks, which explores the state of Australian nightlife in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, shining a light on what keeps the country’s key cultural curators going and up at night. Watch the Brisbane ‘Party Talks’ here. The latest episode was shot around the recent House of Bacardi party in Sydney and features insights from some …

100Proof, Australia’s largest independent on-premise drinks specialist, has launched Menu Maker, a new service that provides venues with a one-stop shop for all products and insights to develop specialised wine, spirit, beer, and soft drink lists. Menu Maker is free to use and can create an entire menu in a single session with a 100Proof sales representative. What is 100Proof? How 100Proof plans to grow t…

In 2017, East London Dry Gin will bring a new cocktail competition to Australia. Working in partnership with its Australian importer and distributor, Savant Spirits, the brand will invite bartenders to enter a cocktail that heroes the gin for a chance to fly to London to meet the distillers at East London Liquor Company and tour its hometown. The competition is open to bartenders nationwide and of all lev…

NILWA GM, Jenny Hughes This week, drinks bulletin sat down with newly appointed General Manager of the National Independent Liquor Wholesalers Association, Jenny Hughes. Jenny has been with the business for ten years and during that period as National Business Manager, she worked closely with former CEO, Martin O’Mara. In May this year, Martin decided to move onto the Board as Executive Chairman and …

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation has announced a change to the delivery of the Responsible Service of Gaming (RSG) training course, starting 1 January 2017. The new standardised course will contain two modules, with the first required to be completed by staff before they commencement of work in a gaming venue, and the second within the following six months. Prior to the new cou…

4 Pines’ newest venue, 4 Pines Underground is now open, located underneath its existing BrewPub in Manly. The venue is open for breakfast through to dinner and has all the 4 Pines beers you could wish for on tap. Underground was one of three new venues 4 Pines announced it would be opening over the course of 12 months from August this year. The brewery is certainly undergoing a period of expansion with …

Merivale Group’s latest bar and restaurant venture, Fred’s and Charlie Parker’s, is set to open in Paddington, Sydney this week. The venues are led by Head Chef Danielle Alvarez and former Palmer & Co. bartenders Sam Egerton and Toby Marshall and feature inspiring menus crafted with sustainable ingredients supplied by local farmers. Inside Fred’s restaurant, Alvarez’s open kitchen creates fresh and se…

For the first time this year, Patrón Tequila is launching its Patrón Perfectionist Cocktail Competition in Australia. Following the competition’s success in the UK, Patrón will now call on Australian bartenders to enter their favourite Patrón based cocktail for the chance to become Australia’s Perfectionist Bartender for 2016. The competition seeks a bartender who resonates with the premium and hand craft…

Following six months of extensive renovations, The Paddington Inn is set to reopen on Thursday 8 September with a new dining room and bar, cocktail and drinks menu. The Paddington Inn is one of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs’ most popular venues in, owned and operated by family-owned hospitality group, Solotel. The pub has a long history of producing quality food and drinks, with the likes of Steve …