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Better Know Your Bartender

7 bar openings and 3 bartenders to watch in 2023

The bars and bartenders to watch in 2023 (it's gonna be a good year).

By Sam Bygrave

/ 28 Dec 2022

Evan Stroeve is set to open The Waratah in 2023. Photo: Supplied

These are the 10 big bar and drinks stories you cared about most in 2022

The end of the year approaches; it’s time for a look back.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 21 Dec 2022

These are the 10 big bar and drinks stories you cared about most in 2022

Luke Whearty on how he puts together an award-winning drinks list

The bartender-owner of Byrdi in Melbourne on menu structure, and why “it’s hard to be surprised these days.”

By Sam Bygrave

/ 14 Dec 2022

Luke Whearty on how he puts together an award-winning drinks list

The key to a great hotel bar, says Adam Lau, is to make it a neighbourhood bar

What do hotel bars do differently to other bars?

By Sam Bygrave

/ 27 Sep 2022

The key to a great hotel bar, says Adam Lau, is to make it a neighbourhood bar

Behind the list: how Brianna Aboud created Ramblin’ Rascal’s latest cocktail list

These three Ramblin' Rascal recipes are playful and delicious, packing in flavour.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 24 Aug 2022

Brianna Aboud at Ramblin' Rascal Tavern in Sydney. Photo: Boothby

“It’s my family away from home.” How Kalisha Glover won her first cocktail competition

It's a comp we'd love to see more often: one for rookies to cut their teeth and gain valuable experience.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 19 Aug 2022

Kalisha Glover during her comp-winning presentation. Photo: Lauren Barbato

How you can back a one of a kind bartending book (and help bartenders along the way)

It's not every day that a 1924 Japanese bartending book is resurrected and translated.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 17 Aug 2022

How you can back a one of a kind bartending book (and help bartenders along the way)

Emma Bernardi talks dream weaving and the Bar Planet experience

“It’s just the little things that you do for people that make them feel valued.”

By Sam Bygrave

/ 29 Jul 2022

Emma Bernardi talks dream weaving and the Bar Planet experience

“Back yourself.” How hosting prepped Sarah Mycock to manage one of Sydney's best bars

The Old Mate’s Place manager on how hosting prepared her to work the bar at one of Sydney's best.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 5 Jul 2022

Sarah Mycock at Old Mate's Place, Sydney. Photo: Boothby

“It’s an evolution.” Alex Gondzioulis on The Rover, and overseeing drinks at 4 venues

As The Rover — nee The Wild Rover — approaches its 10th birthday, Alex Gondzioulis sheds light on how they revamped the drinks, and how he’s tackled the move from managing three people to 40.

By Boothby Staff

/ 28 Jun 2022

Alex Gondzioulis at The Rover in Surry Hills, Sydney. Photo: Boothby

“People are getting back to that pre-Covid idea of normality,” says Matt Portillo

The Brisbane bartender talks Dawn, being a people person, and the city's bounce back.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 24 May 2022

Matt Portillo at Dawn in Brisbane. Photo: Sam Bygrave

“It’s still where I come on my day off.” Bar Rochford’s Liv Kelly on Canberra’s exciting, youthful bar scene

Bar Rochford's bar manager talks about Canberra's vibrant scene, and what to expect from one of Australia's best bars.

By Sam Bygrave

/ 17 May 2022

Liv Kelly from Canberra's Bar Rochford. Photo: Supplied