10am - 12pm

House of William Grant Hotel, gymnasium @ Little National Hotel

Join the conversation of health and wellness with specially curated experts to look at Where Next for hospitality. Our experts will also be sharing the tools to start making real changes for you and your staff and have a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Bartender Magazine Hottest 100 Aussie Spirits Countdown

1pm - 4pm

The Potts Point Hotel before Indie Spirits Tasting

The countdown is dedicated to recognising the hard work of our many local distilleries around the country. Since launching Indie Spirits Tasting back in 2015 we have watched the Aussie spirits category blow up and we now boast internationally renowned, top quality hooch across numerous categories. Tune in to check out the Top 100 announced live before the Indie Spirits Tasting.

1pm-4pm

The Potts Point Hotel

Indie Spirits Tasting Sydney 2021

Indie Spirits Tasting Sydney is back for its sixth year (following a hiatus in 2020) and will be moving to the Potts Point Hotel. The event will be staged over 3 levels.

The event is presented by Australian Bartender magazine, the country’s leading drinks mag for the bar industry, which gives you an inside track on the latest booze products to hit the market, direct from the backbar and the still, with a focus on handcrafted and locally-made hooch.

Indie Spirits Tasting Sydney will feature over 30 exhibitors showcasing more than 100 quality craft spirits from grappas to gins, amaros, mezcals and more.  Many of these are home-grown Aussie spirits, reflecting a boom in the Aussie craft spirits trade. There are also master distillers on hand to chat and free seminars hosted by Bartender magazine going deep into the world of indie spirits.

2pm-4pm

Venue TBC

De Kuyper The Works: Cocktail trends, techniques and tipples for the year ahead

This year De Kuyper The Works is coming to Bar Week! Industry leading experts will gather to discuss some of the drinks trends, techniques and cocktail experiences that have developed in the past 12 months and what to expect in 2022. Topics covered will include 'Harking back to the good old days', Around the World with a sip' and 'Flavour Bombs served simply' with cocktails served to showcase what they are all about. 

House of William Hotel Edition

5pm-7pm

House of William Grant Hotel, Rooftop Lounge

Little National Hotel, Sydney

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You guys labelled it “The party of the year” for three years, and it’s back on the schedule for Bar Week 2021! This year House of William Grants will take over the rooftop at Little National Hotel. Expect your favourite cocktails, drams, music and people. Ticketed event.

Bartender Boxing Organisation

8pm-11pm

Home Club 101/1-5 Wheat Road Darling Harbour

Tickets: 1st Release $25, 2nd Release $35

*$5 dollars of each ticket sold will be donated directly to the Black Dog Institute. With purchasing a ticket not only will you receive entry to one of the hottest Sydney Bar Week events, but you will automatically receive a raffle ticket on the night where there are some amazing prizes to be won.

The Bartender Boxing Organization is a US based industry health and wellness non-profit. We debuted in Australia at Sydney Bar Week in 2019 to a sold out house, headlining the Sunday night.

This year we’re back! And, we have never been more motivated to support the mental and physical health of our industry through the great sport of amateur boxing.

Jägermeister Event 

10pm-late

Venue TBC

Jagermeister Bar Week parties are the stuff of legend. We’re excited to welcome them back in 2021. Will there be snakes? Stay tuned to find out more.

Karu X Dulcies Indie Aftermath

10pm-Midnight

Dulcie's Kings Cross

It is time to celebrate the great Aussie Spirit Industry. Brand reps/Distillers featured at indie spirits will go head-to-head putting their skills to the test to create a cocktail with spirits from a fellow exhibitor at indie spirits. These will be judged by the featured spirits rep/distiller and a patron from the crowd.

Monday 20th September

Glenfiddich Where Next? – Wellness

10am - 12pm

House of William Grant Hotel, gymnasium @ Little National Hotel

Join the conversation of health and wellness with specially curated experts to look at Where Next for hospitality. Our experts will also be sharing the tools to start making real changes for you and your staff and have a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Bartender of the Year Exam 10am – 4pm (Rounds #1 & #2) 

10am - 4pm (approx.)

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Round 1: Ramblin’ Rascals for the written exam

Round 2: Little National Hotel for the blind tasting & mystery box

Australian Bartender magazine’s Bartender of the Year sponsored by Hendrick’s & Monkey Shoulder is the toughest test of bartending ability going around. The comp is open to all working bartenders, and if you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late. Simply email amy@spantonmedia.com to register your interest.

Comp is scheduled to happen during Sydney Bar Week 2021 – the first and second rounds (a written exam, followed by a cocktailing challenge and a blind tasting) will be held on Monday, 20th September and the Finals will be held on stage at the 20th Annual Bartender magazine Bar Awards on Tuesday, 21st September.

Here’s the big prize for the winner: a trip to Scotland to the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in 2022 to meet and mash minds with Lesley Gracie and her team. Amazing!

There is still time to register by simply emailing amy@spantonmedia.com.au.

Plantation Rum Cup Competition Final

12pm-2pm

Location TBC

Plantation Rum, the global rum brand infamous for celebrating the diversity of rum and terroir, has launched their first trade competition open to all members of the hospitality industry.

On Monday, 20 September, the finalists teams will compete against each other for the first major title of Plantation Rum’s kind, a luxury experience provided in the winners’ home location and Plantation Rum support to sponsor a venues’ ‘Welcome to Summer’ Party on 1 December 2021.

The 14th Annual Business of Bars Conference

11:30am-3:30pm

Restaurant Hubert Theatre

This year our Business of Bars Conference is returning to the tailor-made conference room at Restaurant Hubert. Following a packed-out event in 2019, we have ramped things up yet again, with cutting edge topics and both international and local bar industry experts.

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Topics for this year will cover the unexpected issues that covid has unearthed, staffing and recruitment, building a business and some TED talk style sessions. Leading operators from Jared Merlino, Natalie Ng, Hayden Lambert, Jason Williams and Sven Almenning (among many others) will be on hand. Check barweek.com.au for the full confirmed line-up.

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Guests will also receive drinks and snacks included in their ticket price.

Hosted and presented by Australian Bartender Magazine and Bar Week founder David Spanton, this event is now in its 14th year. Numbers are strictly limited so get in early. The Business of Bars Conference forms part of Sydney Bar Week.

Herradura Tequila Event

1pm - 3pm

Venue TBC

Join the team from Herradura Tequila who are back once again for a tequila-fuelled session which was packed out in both 2018 & 2019. More details, RSVP and info coming soon.

Engineering the Experience with Denver Cramer

2pm-4pm

Venue TBC

In their usual fashion, The Campari Academy will bring a truly immersive experience that’s not to be missed at this year’s Sydney Bar Week!  The team have partnered with Denver Cramer, one half of the pair behind Denver & Liely, an Australian based glass making powerhouse that have been enhancing drinking experiences around the world since 2015.  This masterclass will involve experiments, tastings & discussions surrounding all facets of Engineering the Experience for your bars!

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Tickets available soon!

Southtrade Event

3pm-5pm

Venue TBC

Join the team from SouthTrade International for an educational session and much more. More details, RSVP and info coming soon.

Johnnie Walker Highball Takeover

4pm-6pm

Burrow Bar, 96 Clarence St, Sydney.

An epic afternoon of aperitivo is coming to one of Sydney’s best small bars for this one-time-only Bar Week collab. Bop on down to Burrow Bar for an exclusive menu of Johnnie Highballs created by iconic small bars from the four corners of Australia. Enjoy the afternoon sipping beautifully balanced highballs paired with delicious bites from the talented chef team at Cash Only Diner. Perfect aperitivo sorted ✓

Fever Tree Event

5pm-7pm

Venue TBC

Join the team from Fever Tree Premium Natural Mixers for an educational session and much more. More details, RSVP and info coming soon.

The Scholarship Reunion

6pm-8pm

Invite Only

The Scholarship Program invites those who have participated in the 2021 program to date. This event is to bring together the community of likeminded professionals to share, inspire and create, and more importantly celebrate. A night to full of surprises, fun and great drinks!

House of William Hotel Edition

8pm-10pm

House of William Grant Hotel, Rooftop Lounge

Little National Hotel Sydney

You guys labelled it “The party of the year” for three years, and it’s back on the schedule for Bar Week 2021! This year House of William Grants will take over the rooftop at Little National Hotel. Expect your favourite cocktails, drams, music and people. Ticketed event.

SA Good Hey! (Never Never x PS40)

10pm-late

PS40, 40 Skittle Ln, Sydney.

Free entry, first in best dressed, 10pm start with a new cocktail list each half hour.

PS40, Never Never Distilling Co. and South Australia's best bartending talent will be showcasing some of the boldest  flavours in cocktails for one night only at PS40. Sample the most exciting Never Never cocktails from Maybe Mae, Memphis Slims, Hains & Co and Never Never Distilling Co. plus many more as special guests jump behind the bar to make their great state of South Australia proud. Of course, expect to see some cracking PS40 drinks served with that famous MC smile all night long.

Tuesday 21st September

Glenfiddich Where Next? – Wellness

10am - 12pm

House of William Grant Hotel, gymnasium @ Little National Hotel

Join the conversation of health and wellness with specially curated experts to look at Where Next for hospitality. Our experts will also be sharing the tools to start making real changes for you and your staff and have a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Bartenders Rum Lunch

12pm-2pm

Brix Distillery, 350 BOURKE STREET, SURRY HILLS

The Sydney Bartender Rum Lunch aims to bring together bartenders from the industry to discuss & taste their favourite spirit – RUM! Showcasing a variety of rums from around the world & held in Sydney’s only Rum Distillery, this lunch is a great opportunity for the industry to come together, discuss & taste rums & enjoy some great food from the Brix kitchen. Each brand Ambassador will give a short educational talk on their brand whilst bartenders sip & discuss the rum. Cocktails featuring each product will also be available on the day. ALL proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to OZ HARVEST. (If preference is to not have tickets sold, we will ask for a $5 pink note donation at the door).

Jack Daniels Event

1pm-3pm

Join the team from Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey for an educational session and much more. More details, RSVP and info coming soon.

Glenfiddich Where Next?  - Creativity

2pm-4pm

House of William Grant Hotel, Rooftop Lounge

Little National Hotel

Asking the question of Where Next? our industry relies heavily on creativity. Join an interactive session with some of the best creative minds in Australia from outside of hospitality industry. Chat with the people pushing boundaries in fashion, art, music and more to learn how they cultivate creativity.

20th Annual Bartender Magazine  Australian Bar Awards

5:30pm-11pm

Doltone House, Pyrmont

Join the leaders of the Australian bar industry for the most anticipated Bar Awards to date. Not only are we celebrating 20 years but we’re also coming together after a pandemic that has separated our industry for nearly 2 years. Finalists are in the July issue of the mag or online at australianbartender.com.au. So check it out and book your seats.