The search for the 2016 Woodford Reserve Australia Cocktail Competition champion has begun. The event has grown considerably in size and popularity, following the successful launch of the competition in 2015, which was ultimately won by Thalita Alves. Bartenders can currently enter the competition by submitting their details and two cocktail recipes, both showcasing their skill and experience, via a dedic…

Building on the reputation of their popular laneway Japanese bar in Surry Hills, Sydney, Tokyo Bird General Manager Jason Ang and Bar Manager Yoshi Onishi are now preparing to open a second venue at the former site of Rozelle Tramsheds. The venue, Osaka Trading Co., is slated to open in September and will join some of Sydney’s best hospitality at one of Sydney’s growing food destinations at the new Tramsh…

Lewis Jaffrey of the Swillhouse Group and The Lobo Plantation’s Jared Merlino will open the doors to their new late night dining restaurant and bar on Monday. Located on Oxford St in Darlinghurst, Sydney, Jaffrey and Merlino have transformed the former site of Hello Sailor into exactly the kind of bar they’d like to hang out in – think an eclectic mix of modern European cuisine, cheese and wine, and hip h…

Tequila Herradura has unveiled the fourth release from its ‘house’ series, Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2015. The new tequila – Directo de Alambique – is crafted from 100 per cent blue agave and fermented with natural yeast. Bottled without any prior barrel ageing, the tequila is a reflection of its name, which translates to “Direct from the Still”. This makes for a crystal- clear spirit with robust note…

Bartenders and bar owners from the top 50 bars globally have named their favourite spirit brands in a recent report run by Drinks International. The drinks magazine asked participating bars from Australasia, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to state which brands they love the most and simply couldn’t be without in the Bartenders’ Choice poll. For the third time in f…

The winners of the 2015 AHA -Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence were announced at the Lion Gala Ball at Crown Perth on Monday, 17 November. The Ashby Bar and Bistro was named WA’s best retail bottle shop, receiving the Retail Bottle Shop Award. The awards recognise accommodation hotels, pubs, bars, dining and tourism facilities, as well as employees that demonstrate excellence within the industry. AHA…

The Paddington on Oxford Street has reopened this week, under new management with Merivale . Located in the centre of the historic inner-Sydney strip, The Paddington (formerly The Paddington Arms) will serve a rotisserie-led menu by Executive Chef Ben Greeno, cocktails by Palmer and Co.’s Sam Egerton and Toby Marshall and wine curated by the award-winning Franck Moreau and Adrian Filiuta. Justin Hemmes…

A new hospitality group, running under the name Goodtime Hospitality, has officially set up in Sydney this week. The group is co-owned by entrepreneurs James Bodel and Locky Paech, who made their mark with the opening of their first venue and renovation in the inner west on Monday (November 2). Formerly The White Cockatoo, the duo have reopened the Petersham favourite as the West Village, following three …

A new boutique distributor has opened for business in Australia. Coined The Pisco People, the distributor is also a wholesaler and online retailer that specialises in importing piscos from South America. Currently The Pisco People is importing from four South American producers, including Viñasde Oro, Pisco Portón, De Carral and Cuatro G’s. Styles in the portfolio include single variety Quebranta and Ital…

Bartenders are invited to audition for the role of DRiNKS TV presenter. The auditions will take place during the Drinks Industry Show at Luna Park in The Crystal Palace from 1pm onwards on Monday the 16th of November. Candidates will be invited to make one of three classic cocktails, giving a brief background and making the drink while explaining the process to camera – all in 3 minutes. “We are excited t…