WORLD BARTENDER DAY | FEBRUARY 24th
A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE CRAFT. A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE BARTENDER.
A DAY DEDICATED TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST PROFESSIONS
There are an amazing 130 finalists The Perfect Blend Cocktail Competition (2023/24): the biggest year yet!
Didn’t enter or make it to the Finals? No drama! Everyone in hospitality can be a part of the fun and festivities of World Bartender Day by supporting their local finalists from NOW until Saturday 24th February; (we thought one day wasn’t enough to celebrate this incredible industry!).
Each finalist’s venue is now serving their cocktail creation entered into this year’s Perfect Blend, granting them a ticket to their respective Regional Finals, responding to the submission brief of creating a cocktail centred around ‘Tradition’ or ‘Personality’. For World Bartender Day, you’ll now be able to show your support and order their concoction and experience the storytelling behind it for yourself (not just the judges!).
For World Bartender Day, you’ll now be able to show your support and order their concoction and experience the storytelling behind it for yourself (not just the judges!)
Some bartenders are adding their personal touch & tailoring to how they are celebrating, with some gifts, custom events and even donations to worthwhile charities relevant to them.
Which bartenders are representing your State? See below a few promotions and events that are happening around AU and NZ — make sure to check them out before Sunday, 25th February.
In no particular order:
NEW SOUTH WALES
Angus Power @Will’s:
Competition cocktail – “It’s called stemware for a reason.”
“Launching and running from Wednesday 14th until 25th February, for every cocktail sold at Will’s, a donation will be made to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. The choice of charity follows the same stream of personality. AMCS is a charity that is close to my heart and links closely with the community within Coogee. On World Bartender Day, the donation will be doubled! Come, pull up a barstool, try my drink and donate to a great cause.”
Jae Yeol Choi @The Rover: “For my venue – if a guest orders my The Perfect Blend cocktail, they will be provided with a raffle ticket. The lucky Winner will walk away with a bottle of an award-winning Beam Suntory product! Come try my drink, and you’ll be in the draw – available Feb 12th– 25th.’’
James Cooke @Now and Then:
“For the period of February 11th-25th, Now & Then will be promoting James’ The Perfect Blend Cocktail: ‘Lanterns’. ‘Lanterns’ was inspired by family and the ritual of gift-giving. Therefore, proceeds from his drink sales will also be donated to The Smith Family, an iconic Australian foundation that has helped families through times of hardships and displacement. Visit Now & Then and try his delicious drink whilst supporting a heroic cause”.
Nat Young & Thomas Nix @The Roosevelt:
THE SHOWDOWN: Get ready for a taste sensation and some serious fun! Buy two cocktails and cast your vote for your favourite.
Your vote puts you in the draw to win a Cocktail Masterclass for two – where you’ll learn the secrets to crafting these delicious drinks and score a cocktail gift pack to take home. Join the fun, vote for your favourite, and toast to winning some tasty delights! ??
Whose cocktail will win, come, and try it cast your vote and let’s see!
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NEW ZEALAND
Nick Widley Nick Widley & Swanny Monthuit @Kismet:
‘To celebrate World Bartender Day and TWO bartenders from Kismet reaching the NZ final for ‘The Perfect Blend’ we have an exciting couple of weeks coming up. From 11th February till 25th February, we will be promoting our cocktails in venue!
You will be able to sample what it takes to make it to this stage of a global cocktail competition. Nick, with his entry from the Professional category, ‘The Islay Hold Up’, and Swanny with her ‘Spring in Tokyo’.
This Valentine’s Day, these will be available for a special promotional deal, making it the perfect place to share a few special cocktails. Then, on Sunday, 18th February, Nick and Swanny will host a cocktail event like Kismet has never done before – closed to the public, there will be two sittings of just eight seats. Sit at the bar and sample 8 different cocktails from the Beam Suntory family matched with unique canapés from 3 of our favourite local restaurants. Nick and Swanny will share the story behind the drinks and give you some insight into one of the oldest professions around. We will wrap up the festivities with a special World Bartenders Day party at Kismet on Saturday 24th February from 7pm! ‘
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QUEENSLAND
Kieran Fleming @Full Moon Hotel:
Come and support and you can WIN!
‘WIN a full bottle of Maker’s Mark 46. Purchase the Goldy Looks Cocktail to enter the best colouring competition… for more details, pop in and see what this is all about!’
Rebecca Lynne @O’Skulligan’s:
‘We’re turning up the heat with the Bushfire Brew for World Bartender Day. Here’s the lowdown on the party:
- Cocktail Showdown: Grab yourself a “Bushfire Brew” at two of Fortitude Valley’s best dive bars – O’Skulligans and Bloodhound Bar – let’s see which bar will make the most sales and be crowned the winner!
- For the Firies: 15% of the profits will go straight to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service. Turn your good times into a helping hand!
- Birthday Bash: Yup, it’s my birthday too! So, expect extra cheers, laughter, and good times as we celebrate another trip around the sun.?Celebrate with me by buying a Bushfire Brew at Oskulligans on the 23rd and Bloodhound on the 24th.
- D&D Game Nights: Roll the dice with us at D&D game nights! Every order of the Bushfire Brew will score you an inspiration die to help you out in those tough combat sessions.’
Thomas Svensson @Boston Shaker Bar:
My signature serve, ‘Fluide Et Beau,’ will be available at Boston Shaker Bar from Feb 11th – 25th and include accessible content via my social media through Instagram highlights.
In partnership with The Perfect Blend and World Bartender Day, I will showcase my creation titled ‘Fluide Et Beau’ by sharing how to prepare specific ingredients and provide cocktail education on social media. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge through social media, ensuring that craft cocktail creation is more accessible, especially for queer and neurodivergent folk!’
One video has already been made for viewers in preparation for this event, which details how to create one of the ingredients used in ‘Fluide Et Beau’ which is the Monte Carlo jam biscuit liqueur:
View this post on Instagram
Check it out!
CHARITY:
50% of the proceeds of ‘Fluide Et Beau’ will be donated towards Trans Pride Australia: which is a non-profit organisation which protects the lives of trans and gender-diverse people across Australia.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Al Simmons @Maybe Mae:
A cocktail with a luxurious gift! My cocktail is served via hip flask, for $22, but for $40 you can keep the flask. It is hand-designed leather bound and personally tailored/ sewn and embroidered. Be quick; there is a limited amount!
Alexander Johnston @Memphis Slim’s House of Blues:
To celebrate World Bartender Day, I’m bringing together old & new; my family Sunday tradition of Sunday Roasts and partnering with my venue, starting a new Sunday Americana tradition of Hot Wings & Highballs!
- Sunday 25th, the day after World Bartender Day, Memphis Slim’s will host a Hot Wings and Highballs night with half-price wings and $10 Toki Highballs!
- Live Blues from Frankie & Savva and some Hospo shouts for you hardworking heroes in need of a healing hand! 7pm til late.’
My event is an extension of my theme of age-old traditions is to create new ones, just like how Suntory creates Toki whisky, age-old whisky making techniques to create a versatile, modern whisky perfect for highballs.
I was inspired to make Rosuto by my family tradition of a Sunday Roast. A big part of this aside from the food is bringing people together for a meal at least one time of the week.
So, my idea was to follow the same principle: bringing together our hospo family after a hard week for some food and a cheeky highball to destress and relax, whether they’ve got the day off or on a break to grab a quick snack and a Toki on us. What are you waiting for?
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VICTORIA
Ana Mitchell @The 18th Amendment:
In celebration of The Perfect Blend’s World Bartender Day, join us for an evening of artistic exploration, discovering the connection between senses, colours and the world of cocktails.
This paint-and-sip style workshop centres around how we use colour to communicate flavours, feelings, and ideas in our drinks.
- Ticket includes ROKU Gin and tonic on arrival, The Perfect Blend Finalist cocktail ‘Spectrum’ and nibbles
- Monday 19th Feb, 6 pm at The 18th Amendment Bar
- $20 ticket. Contact Ana for more details!
Emma Fayle @The Blacksmith:
The promotion plan during World Bartender Week at The Blacksmith, for my cocktail “Temae” is as follows:
- We will be hosting a GIVEAWAY where every person who purchases the cocktail goes in the pool to win first prize of a 1L bottle of Roku Gin, and second prize of a $150 tattoo voucher. Sip and ink, what’s not to love?
Eileen Zhang @Hazel:
Challenged to portray her personality through a cocktail, Eileen’s “Do-ryoku” is a hybrid between a whisky highball and a fruit cup. Showcasing Suntory TOKI Whisky, it’s described as sweet—but not too sweet, subtle, and nuanced…
For World Bartender Day, $2 from every serve of “Do-ryoku” sold will be donated to Common Ground Project—a regenerative farm and social enterprise focused on inclusivity, community, and collaboration.
Pop by Hazel Restaurant to learn more about Eileen’s drink and the initiative.
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TASMANIA
Joseph Howlett @Wrest Point Hotel Casino:
My cocktail, Wendy’s Tea, will be sold in the main Casino Bar at Wrest Point Hotel Casino from February 13th to 25th.
I will be personally donating $2 per cocktail sold to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), which my grandmother suffers from, who is the inspiration behind this drink. Come support a great charity while enjoying a flavoursome cocktail!
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sean Walker @QT Perth:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MANiA
A dynamite-filled night of pops for fanatics and casuals alike. Featuring an All-Elite line-up of local talent including live comedy, emcees and DJs spinning wrestle-centric tunes, WEDNESDAY NIGHT MANiA includes a ticket raffle for Elimination Chamber PPV seats, refreshing drink specials featuring competition finalist cocktails for the Perfect Blend 2023/2024 to support World Bartender Day, with vintage wrestling playing on screen.
Whether you’re mega hyped and looking for something do midweek, wanting to mingle with other like-minded diehards or simply catch some Raw local music, VINYL CAFE in LEEDERVILLE is the place to be on Wednesday night, February 21st!
FEATURING:
- Battle Roast Championship
- Bluntfield (Hip-Hop)
- Bowzer Destroyer of Worlds (Comedy/Rap)
- Dardy Dub Dip (Comedy)
- Diabetic MC (Hip-Hop)
- ‘Dude Where’s My Ring?’ (Feature Bout)
- “The Don” Michael Morleone (Former EPW/SHWA Heavyweight Champion)
- DJ Tim Preston (Mad Fap)
- Hayden Zenith (Appearing on the upcoming EPW Supershow)
- Sean Conway (Comedy)
- Turin Robinson (Blues)
- “The Nature Boy” Stick Flair PLUS Special Guests!
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Follow The Blend on Socials, for all the social content!
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WORLD BARTENDER DAY
Throughout the ages, several boundary-breaking bartenders have shaped the industry for future generations of mixology pioneers.
The way we celebrate occasions has been shaped by bartenders throughout history. History and antiquity are the evolution behind the liquid one so simply enjoys in venue, or at home.
Bartenders have shaped the ever-evolving industry throughout the years, whether it’s been a new trend, innovative and obscure cocktail recipes, or to today’s generation incorporating minimal waste methods to be kind to the environment.
The bartender is built from a ‘job’ that builds a thirst for knowledge (pun intended), immersed in a creative industry that places them in a career with a strong work ethic.
Everyone can be a part of the festivities of World Bartender Day by supporting their local finalist during the week of 11th Feb- 25th Feb. So, get amongst it!
Celebrate your profession. Celebrate your colleagues. Celebrate what it is to be a Bartender.
Love from The Blend Team.