We’re gearing up for the third year of Bartenders’ Weekender, and the first year of the show in Adelaide.
The lineup is absolutely stacked.
There are over 33 events in the official schedule already — you can see the timetable at bartendersweekender.com here — which means this will be a Bartenders’ Weekender to remember. It’s a three day celebration of the bar and drinks industries, so make sure you’ve got your schedule cleared — we’ll see you there.
And one of the annual highlights of the festival is our Better Bars Summit presented by Monkey Shoulder. Hosted by Sam Bygrave — that’s me, of course — we’ve got eight smart sessions with 10 successful speakers planned across four hours, which means that’s four hours stuffed with insights and inspiration to help you become a better bartender and bar operator.
Tickets are just $20, and include drinks from our presenting partner Monkey Shoulder, snacks, and a copy of Boothby magazine, as well as the opportunity to network and rub shoulders with the best and brightest in the industry.
We’ve assembled some big hospo and bar brains to come and talk, and our emphasis is on getting the good information from them to you as quickly as we can. No overblown panels, no long meandering talks — just short, smart presentations and one on one interviews with people who have built big careers in the industry.
I can’t wait, and I hope to see you there.
You can get tickets right here, but hurry as space is limited. Take a look at the sessions below.
The Better Bars Summit presented by Monkey Shoulder
Monday 15 June, 2026 | 11am to 3pm | Adelaide
The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining with Rob Libecans & Matt Stirling (Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne)
They have two popular bars, one of which has been on The World’s 50 Best Bars list for the last three years. So why are they looking for problems in their business now?
How do spirits get gold medals, and what do they mean?
Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show chair of judges Stu Gregor on the spirits show judging process, how it works, what the medals mean, and why you should get involved.
How to Lose Friends and Influence People with Jenna Hemsworth & Alex Hooker
Australia isn’t behind because it lacks talent - it’s behind because it’s avoiding the conversations the rest of the world has already embraced.
So you want to be a consultant? Jason Williams, House Made Hospitality
Few people have consulted on more award-wining bars than Jason Williams. This session pulls back the curtain on bar consulting, exploring how projects can be structured, how consultants can price their work, what operators should consider before taking on clients, and vice-versa.
The keys to creating a lasting third space
Join Monkey Shoulder’s Rachael Bartlett, and a panel of speakers for advice on what makes a bar or a pub a third space — somewhere between work and one’s home — that is more than just a place with drinks, but rather somewhere the community lives, and a place set up for long-lasting success.
The three pillars Offtrack employs to grow a great bar business
Co-founder Aslam Zainal interviewed by Sam Bygrave about what makes the Singapore bar a favourite of bartenders from across the globe, music, and guest shifts.
How to build an international career with Harrison Kenney
From seeing Sydney bar Cantina OK! on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, to working in London, Paris, and travelling the globe, Sam Bygrave asks Kenney about the keys to building a rewarding, creative and global career.
How Michael Chiem built PS40 into a Sydney cocktail institution
10 years into PS40, Sam Bygrave asks Michael Chiem about what he’s learned through the tough times and the good times, and how he built PS40 to last.
