Sydney Eat Street: Get in the spirit with the World Class Cocktail Festival
From elaborate dining experiences to innovative foods and drinks, the World Class Cocktail Festival delivers the whole package over 10 spirited days.
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From elaborate dining experiences to innovative foods and drinks, the World Class Cocktail Festival delivers the whole package over 10 spirited days.
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THE SEEDLIP FISHBOWL POP-UP
It’s the perfect catch … when it comes to a pop-up collaboration: Fishbowl and non-alcoholic spirits company Seedlip.
For four days only, Fishbowl will offer a limited-edition menu to launch their new sustainable salmon bowls alongside Seedlip mocktails created by Matt Whiley, owner of RE-, a fully-sustainable bar.
A champion of the zero-waste movement, Matt not only uses every iota of produce and other ingredients that pass through RE-’s door, but even the furniture, fixtures, and decor are made with recycled materials.
It’s an ethos shared by Fishbowl, an Aussie take on Hawaiian poke bowls and Japanese raw seafood salads.
A Bondi success story, Fishbowl has grown from a tiny takeaway in 2016 to more than 30 outlets, a move that has allowed them to further their sustainable practice by swapping out cage-farmed Atlantic salmon for premium ocean-farmed King Salmon from Big Glory Bay, NZ.
“It’s just a really natural, good alignment,” Fishbowl co-owner Nic Pestalozzi said.
“Seedlip is the only brand that is focusing on non-alcoholic cocktails. And we’re obviously a brand in the health and wellness space … so coming together to showcase our sustainable salmon bowls is a perfect fit.
“They’re doing things differently in an old-school space. They’re shaking up the traditional ways of thinking about cocktails.
“They’re showing you that you can indeed do something differently. You can be innovative and still compete.
“And they’re shifting people’s perception of what it means to go out and socialise, and we like to think we’re doing the same”.
The Seedlip Fishbowl pop-up will run from September 14-17 from noon-3pm.
— 26 Playfair St, The Rocks; fishbowl.com.au
TANQUERAY NO. TEN PRESENTS ICEBERGS & ERIK LORINCZ AT THE BAR
Like everything that restaurateur Maurice Terzini puts his stamp on, The Bar is sure to become a must-visit destination.
His latest venture, one he’s undertaken while his iconic restaurant Icebergs Dining Room & Bar is getting a winter makeover ahead of its 20th birthday, channels the sophistication and glamour of cosmopolitan hotel bars in the ’20s and ’30s — not just in the rich burgundy and salmon-coloured marble-top bar, but also in the menu.
Indulge in a crystal-clear martini with caviar and blinis, a sprawling prawn cocktail, gravlax (graved salmon), and other classics by head chef Lewin White.
While the cocktail list is already a standout, during the World Class Cocktail Festival, for one night only, renowned bartender Erik Lorincz of the America Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London (which Terzini admits is one of his favourite bars in the world) will be mixing Tanqueray No. Ten cocktails alongside Lewin’s sophisticated menu, all with a backdrop of live jazz music. Friday, September 16, 5pm-late.
— The Bar, Intercontinental Hotel, 33 Cross St, Double Bay; thebardoublebay.com.au
DON JULIO FOOD TRUCK FIESTA
Considered a pioneer of gourmet food trucks, Roy Choi has even gotten the nod from late foodie Anthony Bourdain, who once said that Roy “elevated the food-truck concept from ‘roach coach’ to rolling restaurant”.
Roy began his journey to notability in 2009 with Kogi, a Korean-Mexican taco truck in Los Angeles, and now, more than a decade later, he is heading Down Under to collaborate with Raph Rashid, who is a forerunner of the Melbourne food truck scene (Taco Truck, Beatbox Kitchen) and create the limited-edition Kogi x Taco Truck Dos menu.
The pair will be joined by Sydney’s own Ricos Tacos, and, for the win, El Loco will be mixing up some seriously bueno Don Julio margaritas.
Tickets are $25pp (plus booking fee) and include a cocktail and bite to eat. Additional food and cocktails are available for purchase.
Sittings: Thursday, September 15, and Friday, September 16, 5.30pm-7.30pm & 8pm-10pm; Saturday, September 17, 11.30am & 2pm.
— Hickson Reserve, The Rocks; donjuliofoodtruckfiesta.eventbrite.com
BENNELONG
With accolades that include the title of World’s Best Bartender, Ago Perrone has also been credited with revolutionising the hotel bar scene, having turned London’s Connaught Bar into an approachable destination for creative cocktails and stellar service.
It’s fitting, then, that Ago is joining Quay and Bennelong’s executive chef Peter Gilmore, who is often recognised for changing the landscape of Australian restaurants, specifically as a proponent of artisanal products and local producers, for an exclusive dinner at Bennelong, the stunningly beautiful restaurant at the foot of The Sails.
Held over four hours, this bespoke dining experience starts with canapes on arrival, followed by a three-course meal paired with Tanqueray No. TEN Gin cocktails.
Once seated, guests will be served an entree of sashimi scallops, oyster cream, and pickled white radish, with Ago’s famous Connaught Martini, followed by a Wagyu fillet with wasabi emulsion, and, for dessert, Gilmore’s famous Chocolate Crackle alongside a Wattleseed Negroni.
Rounding out the evening will be a few more dessert nibbles and possibly another Tanqueray No. TEN drink.
Friday, September 16, 7.30pm-11pm; $375pp
— Bennelong Point, Sydney; bennelong.com.au
GRAIN BAR
Off the sun-drenched lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel and through an imposing wooden door is Grain, a chic and moody bar that will play host to whiskey legend, Dave Bloom for the launch of his book, A Sense of Place.
Available in October 2022, the book explores Scotch whisky through its relationship to landscape, history, community, craft and the culture that feeds and enhances the whisky itself.
On Thursday, September 15, he’ll be reading excerpt from the book alongside a malt whiskey tasting.
— 199 George St, Sydney; grainbar.com.au
SHELL HOUSE
There’ll be an impressive, not to mention tasty array of events held over four days across Shell House’s four venues:
The Singleton Open House
Executive Chef Joel Bickford will welcome Danielle Alvarez, as she takes over Shell House’s elegant Dining Room and Terrace, along with a team of esteemed female chefs to prepare a produce driven five-course dinner. The impressive meal will be accompanied by Singleton cocktails. ($375pp, Wednesday, September 14, 7pm-10pm).
Clocktower Bar
Hailing from Norway, Monica Berg, dubbed one of the most influential bar personalities in the world, will be subbing in at the bar to work her mixology magic for one night only, Wednesday, September 14.
Sky Bar
Taking top spot at Above the Clouds distillery in Guatemala, head distiller Lorenza Vasquez will not only be working the bar Wednesday, 14 September, but also holding a masterclass which includes cocktails and snacks. (Masterclass, 4pm-5pm, $50pp)
Menzies Bar & Bistro
Enjoy a night (or two) under the stars at The Singleton Bistroteca, Menzies Bar & Bistro’s, where from Wednesday-Saturday, September 14-17, there’ll be dining, dancing, and a Singleton Whisky cocktail list.
— 37 Margaret St, Sydney; shellhouse.com.au
KITTYHAWK
Reaching new heights in the gin market, Aviation Gin’s global ambassador will be overseeing bespoke Aviation cocktails (including a happy hour from 4-6pm) Thursday, September 15 and Saturday, September 17.
— 16 Phillip Lane, Sydney; thekittyhawk.com.au
CITY-WIDE COCKTAILS & COCKTAIL EXPERIENCES
Cocktails abound all around the city with over 150 different bars offering $15 bespoke cocktails, masterclasses, and guest bartenders:
Maybe Sammy
Crowned Australia’s Best Bar, it’s only fitting that Maybe Sammy will be welcoming some of the world’s best bartenders through Saturday, September 17. Keep an eye on their socials to see who’s doing what and when.
— 115 Harrington St, The Rocks; maybesammy.com
Kensington St bars
The trendy bars lining Chippendale’s cobblestoned Kensington St will not only be touting $15 cocktails through Saturday, September 17 but they’ll also be taking 10% off special events including Cartel’s tequila masterclass and Gin Lane’s Gin school.
— 2 Kensington St, Chippendale; cartelkensingtonstreet.com.au; 16A Kensington St, Chippendale; ginlanesydney.com.au
Saint Peter and Talisker
Not so much champions of sustainability as they are patron saints of repurposing – Josh Niland (Saint Peter) with food (particularly seafood) and Matt Whiley (RE-) with any and everything from cocktails to carpentry. For the World Class Cocktail Festival, the two have come together to create the limited-edition cocktail, “Island Life”. Inspired by the Isle of Skye (home to Talisker Single Malt Scotch whisky), this clever cocktail is made with salted blackberry vermouth, burnt oyster shell, and lacto fermented oats. (Available only at Saint Peter through September 19).
— 362 Oxford St, Paddington; saintpeter.com.au
WHAT’S FRESH: NEVER WASTED
Plan on making a few repeat visits to the small bars on Clarence St, from Tuesday, September 13, to Saturday, September, 17.
Matt Whiley, of RE-, will be bringing the Ketel One Vodka “Never Wasted” concept to four of his fave venues: The Barbershop, PS40, Old Mate’s Place, and The Lobo.
The challenge for these night-time hot spots is creating a Ketel One cocktail using each other’s waste, promoting Matt’s commitment to a circular economy.
— Clarence St, Sydney; worldclasscocktailfestival.com
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.