Sam Bygrave

Sam Bygrave is the editor and founder of Boothby Media, where he writes, shoots, and talks about bars, bartenders and drinks online and in Boothby’s quarterly print magazine.

How Tom Opie took out the national final of the Stauning Drinks Kollektive

The talented bartender is off to Denmark for the global final.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 15 Aug 2024

Tom Opie at the Stauning Drinks Kollektive final. Photo: Supplied

Nine cities in two weeks: what I learned from bars around Australia

There are two halves to any glass, and one of them is mine.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 12 Aug 2024

There's real power in surprise — and mystery wine — at Leigh Street Wine Room in Adelaide. Photo: Boothby

10 years in: Nick Corletto on Maybe Mae’s longevity and upcoming tour

The best cocktail bar in Australia you haven’t been to — yet.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 7 Aug 2024

Maybe Mae turns 10 years old this month. Photo: Supplied

“It’s about the storytelling for us,” says new Balvenie ambassador, Joseph Chisholm

How Joey went from being a bartender — and a butler — to the brand ambassador for a favourite brand beloved by bartenders.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 31 Jul 2024

Joseph Chisholm, left, with Ross Blainey. Photo: Christopher Pearce

What to expect when Barry Parade Public House opens

A new bar from a Bartender of the Year is on its way; here’s everything we know.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 29 Jul 2024

Barry Parade Public House owners Lachlan Henry, Dan Gregory, and Brennen Eaton. Photo: Boothby

Five years in with NSW’s number one bar: Sebastian Soto on Double Deuce Lounge

It has been a big year: the bar turned five, and they picked up two trophies at the Boothby Best Bars NSW Awards.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 27 Jul 2024

Sebastian Soto celebrates the win at the Boothby Best Bars NSW awards in July. Photo: Christopher Pearce

The 2024 Boothby Best Bars Victoria awards are open for nominations

Which bars are making Victoria a better place to drink at? Who will be named Person of the Year?

By Sam Bygrave

/ 22 Jul 2024

Last year, Caretaker's Cottage took out the number one spot — who will it be in 2024? Photo: Dominic Xavier

Mentorship, colour-coded calendars: how Jake Down won Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Australia

Here’s what the talented bartender did to win the title in 2024.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 19 Jul 2024

Get all the photos from the 2024 Boothby Best Bars NSW awards

It was standing room only at an emotional awards night for the NSW bar industry's best.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 18 Jul 2024

A packed house celebrated the Boothby Best Bars NSW Awards on Monday night. Photo: Christopher Pearce

These are the 50 best bars in NSW in 2024

The Boothby Best Bars NSW awards are done for another year — here are the best bars in NSW as voted for by the bar industry.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 15 Jul 2024

These are the 50 best bars in NSW in 2024

Queensland’s best cocktail bar, Rosella’s has a new list — here’s how it happened

An interview with Jack Connor, fresh from picking up the Best Cocktail Bar trophy at the Boothby Best Bars QLD awards.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 12 Jul 2024

The winning team from Rosella's at the Boothby Best Bars QLD awards. Photo: Christopher Pearce

How Now & Then’s Bertie Boekemann took out the Unexpected Cartron Tour cocktail competition

Advice on winning cocktail comps, the crème de la crème way.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 11 Jul 2024

Bertie Boekemann winning the Unexpected Cartron Tour cocktail comp. Photo: Samantha Wooller