Anthony Albanese brutally rebuffed by barista in ‘embarrassing’ resurfaced clip

An awkward video has resurfaced of the moment Anthony Albanese was brutally rebuffed by a barista in a popular cafe.

An awkward video has resurfaced of Anthony Albanese trying to grab the attention of a barista in a Sydney cafe, only to be brutally rebuffed.

The CCTV clip, shared by iconic cafe Bar Italia, shows Mr Albanese at the Italian Festa in Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner west in October 2022, five months into his role as prime minister.

Dressed in a T-shirt, Mr Albanese walks into the busy cafe, flanked by press and photographers, makes his way to the barista behind the counter and waves his hand in the staff member’s face.

Anthony Albanese tried to grab the attention of the barista. Picture: Instagram

But the barista was too busy to notice him. Picture: Instagram

Turning his head away from Mr Albanese, the barista continues serving another customer, seemingly ignoring the Prime Minister.

The barista was unperturbed by Mr Albanese’s waving, but eventually briefly acknowledged a smiling Mr Albanese before returning to work.

Mr Albanese and his team laughed and turned around at the staff member’s disregard and began snapping a few selfies and smiling for the camera in the cafe as customers watched.

Mr Albanese eventually left the cafe, the swarm of photographers following suit, leaving the barista to continue serving customers.

Mr Albanese took a few selfies with customers at the cafe. Picture: Instagram

He then left the cafe and took the swarm of photographers with him. Picture: Instagram

The awkward video, which was shared on Wednesday, went viral, with some stating the “guy behind the counter just spoke for half the country” and another saying the clip was “embarrassing”.

“Man’s just doing his job,” a person wrote.

“Well done to the barista,” a third added.

A spokesman for Mr Albanese told NewsWire the clip was taken shortly after he finished handing out free gelato at Bar Italia, which was celebrating its 70th anniversary at the Italian Festa, and was not cutting in front of the queue.

Mr Albanese offered his services as Bar Italia celebrated its 70th birthday. Picture: Instagram

He served free gelato to attendees at the festival. Picture: Instagram

He is a long-time customer at the cafe. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Mr Albanese is a long-time visitor to Bar Italia, which is located in his electorate of Grayndler.

His first connection with the cafe dates back to the 1996 political documentary Rats in the Ranks, when he refused to be filmed, and has returned to the cafe on several occasions.

In February 2024, Mr Albanese took Member for Cooper and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney to Bar Italia for ice cream.

“Can’t think of a better way to cool down on a warm day,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

It is not the first time Bar Italia has shared clips from its security camera on social media, often sharing funny footage of their staff falling over and knocking over orders.

In February 2024, the cafe shared footage of Mr Albanese walking into the venue and giving the owner a hug.

NewsWire has contacted Bar Italia for comment.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese brutally rebuffed by barista in ‘embarrassing’ resurfaced clip