Abby Roennfeldt from Hades Hula House named South Australia’s best bartender by delicious

Looking for someone who understands your espresso martini obsession? We’ve found the best bartenders in the state – here’s where to get some top notch cocktails.

Paula Thompson, Jason Katsaras, Jessica Ball and Emily Jarvis

4 min read

June 25, 2021 - 5:39PM

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Semaphore cocktail bar owner Abby Roennfeldt was shaken and stirred at the news that she had been named SA’s top bartender.

In our latest best-of poll, Advertiser readers were asked to nominate and vote for the best bartender in the suburbs, city, country and Limestone Coast.

Abby, 34, took out the win for both the suburbs and the overall vote for the state.

With her love of Tiki bars, setting up Hades Hula House in Semaphore three years ago was a natural fit.

“I’ve been in hospitality all my life,” she said.

Abby had previously run a cafe at the Hades Hula House site.

Bartender Abby Roennfeldt at Semaphore's Hades Hula House on Friday June 25, 2021 – Picture: Michael Marschall

“Semaphore had plenty of cafes but it didn’t have a huge amount of night life at that point,” she said.

Wanting to create something new for the beachside location, Abby has set up a warm and welcoming bar and eatery.

While she had worked in food and drink for many years before opening Hades Hula House, she was new to the world of cocktail mixing.

But only seven months after learning the tricks of the trade, she went to Mexico to represent Australia after winning the Patron Tequila Perfectionist competition in 2018.

“That was definitely a career highlight,” she said.

Abby said she was “absolutely shocked and humbled” at the news she had won the best bartender vote.

“It’s lovely to be recognised,” she said.

When asked what makes a great bartender, Abby believes it all comes down to how you treat your customers.

Abby said she lives by the words of renowned US poet Maya Angelou – I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel – and said these words particularly applied to hospitality.

CITY

It’s a big jump to go from investment banker to bartender, but Jin Maekawa, 29, has no regrets about making the change.

Jin won the vote for best bartender in the city and has been working at Bar Torino on Hutt Street for the past four years.

“I moved to Adelaide four and a half years ago and before that I was working with an investment company in Dubai,” he said.

Moving to Adelaide to study for a masters degree in food and agriculture business, Jin needed a part-time job.

Picking up work with Bar Torino was actually his first job in hospitality and he fell in love with the work.

Jin said it was an honour to be named the best bartender in the city, especially against such stiff competition.

SA COUNTRY

Ben Shannon, 42, has been in hospitality for over 20 years, spending the last 16 at the Cleve Hotel, where he has won best SA country bartender.

Mr Shannon says his passion for customer experience at his family business has helped him create fantastic relationships with the regular punters.

“I’ve got a passion about the industry as a whole and I try to look after every single customer as best as I can,” he said.

Ben Shannon of the Cleve Hotel who won best SA country bartender. Picture: Supplied

“Being in a rural community and with everything that's happened of late, It’s as important as ever to have a good connection with your locals, We want people to walk away with a smile.”

Mr Shannon said while the hotel is currently listed the hotel for sale, he has no plans of leaving the hospitality industry and is passionate about trying new things in the space.

“Not being afraid to try something new is important, for example our craft beer range was a slow burn, but now we’ve got locals and tourists who come into our place to try new things.”

LIMESTONE COAST

After a stint as a hairdresser, Chloe Lennon found a new way to channel her creativity – concocting one-of-a-kind cocktail recipes.

Six years ago she got a job behind the bar at Metro Bakery & Cafe and now the Mount Gambier woman claimed the title of best bartender in the Limestone Coast.

The Limestone Coast's best bartender Chloe Lennon from Metro, Bakery and Cafe in Mount Gambier. Picture: Jessica Ball

Ms Lennon is often found mixing up the classics – long island iced teas, espresso martinis and margaritas, but it’s her unconventional twist on flavour combinations that makes her the best in the business.

Infusing her own spirits and not afraid to trial whatever combination pops into her mind, Ms Lennon said jalapeños, grapefruit and ginger was a surprising winner.

“I get the freedom to play with stuff in the bar and make up cocktails and experiment,” Ms Lennon said.

“I cut up chilli and put that in vodka, I put basil in gin, ginger in vodka and use that to make up cocktails or change up a classic like a chilli margarita.

“I like when people just ask me to make something up and I’ll just sort of look around the bar and just wing it and then they love it.

“I should really write it down when that happens.”