Queensland bartender, Alissa Gabriel, will be representing Australia at the Global Finals of the BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition in May, after winning the National Finals last night in Melbourne. Gabriel, from The Manhattan Line in Brisbane, won the competition with her cocktail the Bouteiller. The winning cocktail was inspired by the relationship between Don Facundo Bacardi and José León Bouteiller –…

John Hemmes, Founder of Merivale Group, passed away last night, Sunday 2 March; losing his battle to cancer. Mr. Hemmes is recognised as one of the most successful pioneers within the hospitality industry. Since its foundation over 59 years ago, Mr. Hemmes and his family transformed the business from a fashion label in their Burwood home to a major hospitality group, owning a growing portfolio of more tha…

Last night, Bondi Hardware celebrated its third birthday with locals, media, friends and celebrities. Celebrations were themed after the surf movie Point Break, seeing guests dressed in board shorts and dresses, Hawaiian prints and leis; a couple of surfboards were spotted too. Bondi Hardware was originally named after the cluttered hardware store that had previously occupied the beachside Bondi venue. To…

Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) has produced a new point of purchase display for Asahi Premium Beverages’ brands – Asahi, Cruiser, Somersby and Woodstock. The universal floor trolley can shelve all average sized carton formats, while the design of the shelving and featured POS is interchangeable to feature a number of different designs and brands. The display is slimline and displays can be placed indivi…

After 6 years with Bacardi Lion as NSW On-Premise Field Sales Manager, Ben Hallett has made a start in his own company – Brand Pathway, specialising in brokering on-premise pouring contracts. “I realised that with my on-premise passion and 17 years management experience in both the venue and supplier sides of the industry, I was well placed to be able to broker pouring agreements that all stakeholders are…

Vintage House Wine and Spirits (VHWS) – the new distribution company of Angove Family Winemakers – will be distributing Hollick Wines nationally in Australia from the first of February. Hollick Wines is owned by Ian and Wendy Hollick, who concentrate on producing wines that showcase regionality, as well as vineyard and varietal characteristics, reinforced in its slogan “Pride of Place”. VHWS will be distr…

Merivale’s Coogee Pavilion opened its rooftop in time for New Years celebrations in Sydney. The opening now sees the venue expand over three levels. The rooftop overlooks Coogee beach and shoreline, and has four separate indoor and outdoor bars. Food is also available on the upper level. Since opening in July, Coogee Pavilion has become a favourite with patrons.