Entries are now open to the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge and island2island is calling on bartenders nationwide to enter and defend the global title previously won by Australian bartender, Mike Tomasic in 2014. Entering bartenders will be up for the chance to win AU$10,000 prize money, a 12-month contract as the Australian Angostura Brand Ambassador and a trip to Trinidad during Carnivale, where the…

Four inspiring industry professionals are now one step closer to winning a once-in-a-lifetime overseas work experience and a year’s mentorship with a local leaders as part of the 2015 Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship. drinks bulletin will bring you the announcement of the final winner and runner-up in June. Finalists that will go through to the next judging phase are: Damien Neylon, Sous Chef, Brae, VIC….

After two days of nail biting competition in Sydney, Jack Sotti, Bar Manager behind Eau de Vie’s newest venture, Boilermaker House, has be named this year’s Australian ‘Bartender of the Year’ – winning the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS National Final. Sotti beat out 24 of the country’s best bartenders in this weekend’s National Finals, with contenders drawn from a pool of over 343 total applicants. Finalists…

Eugenio Maiale, Ennio Di Marcos, Sandro di Marino and Luke Randall are the owners of Surry Hills’ new Italian bar and eatery, Besser.   Also the team behind A Tavola in Darlinghurst and Bondi; Eugenio, Ennio, Sandro and Luke have made sure that Besser, like their other two ventures, pays homage to their Italian routes. What they describe as “Italiano informale”, Besser offers consumers a relaxed Italian d…

With Bastille Day just around the corner, to celebrate, the team at Cru Wines has launched a number of promotions for the on-premise, partnering with three benchmark French producers. With the number of French wines on restaurant wine lists up another 19 per cent from last year, 2015 is a great year to celebrate Bastille Day (July 14). The celebrations will be particularly big in Sydney, where the BBR (Bl…

The Lion Hotel in South Australia will be the go-to bar for Adelaide locals over coming months; one of just 12 bars to have partnered with Tequila Herradura in a unique and first of its kind collaboration, which will see The Lion be the exclusive venue in the south to the ‘Australian Casa Select’ – a bespoke barrel of Herradura “Double Barrel” Reposado Tequila, later this year. Joining forces earlier in…

The global finals of this year’s BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition concluded last night at Sydney’s Town Hall with France’s Frank Dedieu crowned the winner for 2015. Dedieu’s chosen drink ‘Le Latin’ was a twist on the classic daiquiri, highlighting Bacardi Superior and with added white wine and brine olive to the traditional recipe. The BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition has quickly established itself …

Judges have announced the Top 25 finalists of this year’s Diageo Reserve World Class Competition. These lucky 25 will now go through to the Australian Grand Final in Sydney in May, the winner of which will win a round the world trip and entry into the Global Diageo Reserve World Class Competition. Selected from a pool of 343 entrants, the Top 25 were selected by judges for their unique cocktail that was s…

Bar Lafayette from Perth is one of just 12 select bars in Australia to have partnered with tequila brand Herradura this month in a unique and first of its kind collaboration. Joining forces earlier in April, Bar Lafayette and 11 of Australia’s top bars met with Herradura Master Taster and Global Brand Ambassador, Ruben Aceves in an opportunity to select and purchase their own exclusive barrel of Herradura…

The Liquor Stores Association (LSA) of NSW has begun a review into a recent report released by the Government body – NSW Bureau of Crime, Statistics & Research (BOCSAR). LSA NSW says the report’s findings on the impact of the 2014 lockouts and last drinks laws in the state are contradictory. The report – ‘Lockouts and last drinks: The impact of the January 2014 liquor licence reforms on assaults in NS…