Good Bar Mooloolaba’s Tristan Waller voted as best bartender on the Sunshine Coast

It took less than a year for a Sunshine Coast bartender who was voted the best in the region to hone his skills and make a lasting impression on regular customers.

Sunshine Coast worker Tristan Waller has made his mark in the bartending world after being voted the best in the region.

The Good Bar Mooloolaba employee shook up celebrity chef Matt Preston’s quest to find the best bartender, securing a majority of the votes out of the Coast employees in the running.

After less than a year in the industry, Mr Waller was shocked he received the crown.

Tristan Waller has been voted the best bartender on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods

“I’m just really thankful for all the people that voted for me,” he said.

“I’ve only been in the bar game for under a year and the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met has just been second to none, it’s been unreal how nice the Sunshine Coast is.”

Meeting new customers and contributing in a positive way to their nights out were Mr Waller’s favourite parts of his job.

“It’s about making everybody happy in the end and that’s why I really enjoy it, to show that I’ve made someone’s night,” he said.

Tristan Waller has been voted the best bartender on the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Waller said bartenders often had to think on their feet as several customers called on their drinks knowledge when making an order.

“People come in and they just say ‘make me something, whatever you want’ and you just try to tailor it to everyone and make everyone enjoy their drink,” he said.

Mr Waller said great bartenders were able to get a feel for what customers wanted.

“I think that’s what can make a good bartender from a bad bartender, just balancing drinks and understanding what the customer wants,” he said.

“ (It is about) Having a great personality and being able to interact with the customers in a friendly way so that they’re happy with their experience.”