A three* day weekender for bartenders and the drinks industry.
Bartenders’ Weekender is a three day weekend for bartenders and drinks enthusiasts — and last year’s biggest celebration of bar culture is back in Brisbane this June.
*With events on both the Saturday before, and the Wednesday after!
The timetable
Saturday 14 June 2025
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Exclusive MONIN lunch for The Scholarship
The Bartender's Weekender & MONIN vibe check ahead of an amazing week. A long lunch hosting 2025’s Scholarship winners is a great start to something. Exclusive to Scholarship winners.
Sunday 15 June 2025
10.30am to 12.30pm
Vanguard presents: House of Flavour
Bartenders Brunch
Join Jason Crawley and Vanguard Luxury Brands for a Bartender Brunch and a sneak-preview of the House of Flavour—a bold, hands-on bartender training platform bringing colour, flavour, and true hospitality back to bars through real skills and fresh thinking.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
William Grant & Sons Lunch
More information to come.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Starward x Byrdi Masterclass
@ Supernormal, 443 Queen Street, Brisbane
Join Carlie Dyer, Starward Head Blender & Distiller and Luke Whearty from Melbourne’s Byrdi (#35 The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024) for a flavour masterclass.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
The Scholarship bartenders’ takeover
@ TBA
More information to come.
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Never Never Rooftop Reve(a)l
Kick off your Bartenders’ Weekender in style at the ultimate rooftop cocktail soiree and discover Never Never… like never before.
6.00pm to 8.30pm
Spotlight on Brisbane bars
Multiple locations
There are some great bars in Brisbane — now’s the time to get around them.
6.00pm to 8.30pm
The Gresham Greenhorn Cocktail Competition
@ The Gresham, 308 Queen Street, Brisbane
The Gresham Greenhorn cocktail competition is an event that shines a spotlight on the up and comers of the Brisbane bar industry to showcase their unique creation and further develop their presentation skills.
6.00pm to 8.30pm
Pearls, pinot & cocktails
@ Barry Parade Public House
More information to come.
8.30pm to 10.30pm
Angel’s Envy heads to the Wild, Wild North — Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern x Frog’s Hollow Saloon Opening Party
@ 26 Charlotte Street Brisbane
Saddle up because Ramblin Rascals is taking over Frog’s Hollow for one rowdy night of whiskey-fuelled chaos, cocktails and mischief — proudly sponsored by Angel’s Envy. Expect banging drinks, loud tunes and a damn good time. Dust off your boots and ride in.
10.30pm to late
Old Mate’s Place (Sydney) Takeover
@ Cobbler, 7 Browning St, West End
More information to come.
Monday 16 June 2025
10.00am to 3.00pm
Better Bars Summit Day One
Featuring speakers Sam Bygrave, Rachael Bartlett, Kayla Saito, Yao Wong, Eduardo Conde, Jacob Briars, Andy Young, Jacob Cohen, Alex Boon, Darren Leaney and more.
10.30am to 12.30pm
Green Ant Breakfast Martinis with Seven Seasons
Come join us for a unique experience at the Green Ant Breakfast Martinis with Seven Seasons! The founder, Larrakia man Daniel Motlop, will introduce you to the unique native Australian ingredients, bringing you a taste of the world’s oldest new flavours.
10.30am to 12.30pm
The Bartenders’ Reset by Fever-Tree
@ New Farm River Walk, behind Ciao Papi Restaurant, Howard Smith Wharves
Join Fever-Tree for a refreshing wellness Pilates session to reset after a big Sunday! Expect a beginner-friendly flow in a relaxed setting, exclusive fitness merch, followed by refreshing drinks and a relaxed breakfast.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Jack Daniel’s Bartender Brunch
@ TBC
Returning in 2025, the Jack Daniels Bartender Brunch. Bringing back the Old School Jack Daniels vibes to Brisbane with music, giveaways and cocktails.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Patrón lunch to celebrate the craft
@ TBC
Join us for a long lunch celebrating the prestige of Patrón tequila. Indulge in a refined afternoon as you sip and savour El Cielo and El Alto - two ultra premium expressions that embody the height of craftsmanship. 100% additive free, naturally perfect tequila.
3.30pm to 5.30pm
The Bourbon vs Rye Smackdown with Heaven Hill
@ Barry Parade Public House, 122 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley
Get ready to sip, savor, and pick your favorite in this ultimate battle of the barrels. Recommended for Bartenders who would like to deepen their whiskey knowledge, taste like a pro (with some special liquids), and master the smackdown.
3.30pm to 5.30pm
A Re'al world of flavour!
@ The Boom Boom Room, 49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane
Jacob Cohen & Jenna Hemsworth join us for an education session on all things RE’AL Syrups. Discover a world of flavour and everything you can do with RE’AL behind the bar!
6.00pm to 8.00pm
The Boothby Best Bars QLD Awards
@ Alice, 195 Elizabeth St, Brisbane
We’ll be counting down the Boothby Best Bars QLD Top 30 on Monday 16 June at the rock and roll boozer that is Alice.
8.30pm to 10.30pm
"The Magnificent 7: After Party Showdown" sponsored by Kaibutsu, High West, 78 Degrees & Aquafab @ Brooklyn Standard, Eagle Ln, Brisbane
A post-awards whiskey-fueled clash of Cowboys & Samurai, where Brisbane’s best bartenders trade their trophies for highballs and high scores. Inspired by The Magnificent Seven, this arcade-meets-whiskey event at Brooklyn Standard blends the precision of Samurai, the grit of the Wild West, and the threat of a good time!
8.30pm to 10.30pm
Dis is the taste of La Dolce Vita
@ Savile Row, 667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
Disaronno brings the taste of la dolce vita to Saville Row, celebrating timeless Italian style and flavour since 1525. For one night only, four surprise guest bartenders from Brisbane’s vibrant cocktail scene will take over the bar, serving up exclusive Disaronno cocktails.
10.30pm to late
Old Love’s Takeover
@ Antico, 48 Burnett Ln, Brisbane
More information to come.
10.30pm to late
Sorry Not Sorry Takeover
@ TBC
Delicious drinks. Progressive service. Real conversations. Sorry Not Sorry isn't just a takeover, it's a movement pushing hospitality forward from the inside out.
Tuesday 17 June 2025
10.00am to 3.00pm
Better Bars Summit Day Two
Featuring speakers Sam Bygrave, Rachael Bartlett, Dre Walters, Martin Lange, Aaron Clark, Katharine Johnson, Pete Hollands, Alexandra Percy, Campbell Nicol and more to be announced.
10.30am to 12.30pm
Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition Final
@ The Prince Consort, 230 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
Join us at The Prince Consort as four finalists showcase their creativity and skill in a high-stakes showdown celebrating Australia’s best behind the bar.
10.30am to 12.30pm
Supporting The Industry: Mix Haus & The Burnt Chef Project @ TBC
More information to come.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
The Art of Lark: A Whisky and Culinary Journey
@ The Boom Boom Room, 49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane
An immersive afternoon dedicated to the artistry of Lark Whisky. Guests will explore the depth and complexity of Lark’s premium whisky range, thoughtfully paired with refined Japanese cuisine from one of Brisbane’s top culinary talents.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Finest Call Flair
@ Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, 30 King St, Bowen Hill
More information to come.
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Sailor Jerry Bartender Bowling
@ Wintergarden, 171-209 Queen St, Brisbane
More information to come.
3.30pm to 5.30pm
Four Pillars Pre-Gala Aperitivo Hour
@ Milquetoast, 199 Elizabeth St, Brisbane
More information to come.
6.00pm to 9.00pm
Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala
@ Fiume Rooftop, Crystalbrook Vincent, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane
The Drinks 100 Australia is a new celebration of the 100 people who are shaping the drinks culture in Australia in 2025, presented by Bartenders’ Weekender and Boothby.
9.00pm to late
William Grant & Sons After Party
@ TBC
More information to come.
9.00pm to late
Espolon After Party
@ TBC
More information to come.
Wednesday 18 June 2025
11.00am to 1.00pm
StrangeLove presents: Drinks for drinks' sake
Discover a frenzy flavour with StrangeLove Mixers and Lo-Cal Soda's. Join us for simple, yet elevated Highballs and share a drink for drinks' sake.
The Drinks 100 Australia awards are open
Who are the 100 people shaping drinks culture in Australia in 2025?
This is a new celebration of the 100 people who are shaping the drinks culture in Australia in 2025, presented by Bartenders’ Weekender and Boothby.
Unlike other lists, the Drinks 100 Australia is no popularity contest. Instead, it aims to be a considered look at those people who are working to make the drinks industry in Australia more meaningful, more exciting, and more creative every day. Regardless of one’s social media following or clout, we want to celebrate those people who do great work — the people who we can all look to for inspiration.
And here’s the important thing: this is about the wider Australian drinks industry, looked at from the perspective of the bar, which is still the best place to showcase the creative and delicious work of the distillers, operators, bartenders, communicators, designers, and ambassadors who make the Australian scene one of the world’s best.
We’ll be showcasing the full 100-strong list of people in the winter issue of Boothby magazine, with each person on the list invited to the inaugural Drinks 100 Australia awards gala on Tuesday 17 June in Brisbane on the last night of the Bartenders’ Weekender.
For now, it’s time to have your say — tell us who you think the Drinks 100 Australia should feature, and who you believe ought to win one of the 12 awards on offer.
Apply for The Scholarship
An all access pass to learn, connect, and create in Brisbane.
After a successful launch in 2024, the Bartenders’ Weekender Scholarship program is now open and ready for entries. To enter, hit the link here, and give @bartendersweekender a follow on Instagram. Entries close March 31st.
This year we’ve upped the number of places available to eight, and added an extra night of accommodation thanks to our partner, Monin.
Here’s what the Scholarship recipients will receive: return flights to Brisbane and four nights accommodation at the five star Crystalbrook Vincent on the Brisbane river, and $500 in spending money; access to an exclusive welcome event on Saturday 14th presented by Monin, a two day ticket to the Better Bars Summit, invite to the Boothby Best Bars QLD awards, and tickets to the Drinks 100 Australia Awards gala ceremony on the Tuesday night.
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