Timetable
Day One
Sunday 16 June
The Blend Presents: Jim Beam Mentor “Speed Dating”
11.00am — 3.00pm, Sunday 16 June
The Alliance Hotel
320 Boundary St, Spring Hill
Final spots for 11am and 2pm sessions! Grab one of the last spots at Jim Beam Mentor Speed Dating. During the hour-long sessions, you'll learn from some of the industry's best BA's, venue owners, chefs and somms, one-on-one.
Who are your mentor "dates"? Nat Ng, Door Knock / Now and Then; Jason Williams (Widge), Housemade Hospitality; Jamie Fleming, Alba Bar & Deli; Aaron Clark, Ghanem Group; Cameron Pirret, Sales Manager; Lilly Heenan, Sommelier; Evan White, Chef.
Fever-Tree Bartenders’ Brunch
BOOKED OUT!
Rum State of Mind: An Exclusive Event by Proof & Company
2.00pm — 4.00pm, Sunday 16 June
Crystalbrook Vincent Rooftop
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City
Discover Rum Like Never Before! Immerse yourself in an evening dedicated to the rich and diverse world of rum. Explore the intricate nuances of terroir from regions spanning Barbados to our very own Caldera Coast. Dive deep into the history, production, trends, and future of this beloved spirit during a captivating 2-hour event. Sip and savour tastings of unique and new release rums from Planteray and Husk, before delving into an educational panel discussion led by Andy Young (Managing Editor of The Shout, Bars & Clubs), with industry experts Dre Walters (Old Mate's and Old Love's, Sydney), Kayla Reid (Kayla Made Consults, Melbourne), and Huw Griffiths (Union Electric and Lola Belle, Melbourne).
The Unexpected Cartron Tour Cocktail Competition
3.00pm — 6.00pm, Sunday 16 June
The Gresham
308 Queen St, Brisbane City
Seven top bartenders will gather at The Gresham and go head to head before a lively industry audience at the Unexpected Cartron Tour Cocktail Competition national final — come, enjoy complimentary drinks and cheer them on!
It’s agricole, Jim — but not as we know it: North Queensland’s Burdekin distillery
4.00pm — 6.00pm, Sunday 16 June
Dr Gimlette
109 Edward St, Brisbane City
Get stuck into a selection of French agricole-inspired cocktails, and learn about the history of agricole rums before jumping into five of North Queensland’s very own Agricola-inspired rums from Burdekin Distillery with distiller Jason Chan.
On The Card!
6.00pm — 9.00pm, Sunday 16 June
Multiple venues around Brisbane
Night one of the Bartenders’ Weekender is Brisbane’s night to shine. You’ll see some of Brisbane’s finest in action behind their bars, and experience them as they really are — no guest shifts, no takeovers, the On The Card sessions sees sponsor brand ambassadors welcoming guests to town and shouting a few drinks.
Starward at Antico (6pm - 9pm)
Moet-Hennessy at Savile Row (6pm - 9pm)
Fever-Tree at The Gresham (6pm - 9pm)
Never Never Distilling Co. at Dr Gimlette (6pm - 9pm)
Four Pillars at Maker (6pm - 9pm)
Jim Beam at Death & Taxes (6pm - 9pm)
Elijah Craig at Alice (6pm - 9pm)
Spirits Platform at Frog's Hollow Saloon (7pm - 8pm)
Let them cook! Clarence at Alba Bar & Deli
Get tickets
The Balvenie Bartenders’ Weekender Launch Party
9.00pm — 12.00am, Sunday 16 June
Frog's Hollow Saloon
26 Charlotte St, Brisbane City
A night with your new Balvenie BA (and your old one) behind the stick whipping up some of their favourite Balvenie cocktails alongside the Frog's Hollow team while Rob Libecans of Caretaker's Cottage takes care of the vinyl. No RSVP required — come on down!
Day Two
Monday 17 June
The Better Bars Summit presented by Glenfiddich Day 1
11.00am - 3.00pm, Monday 17 June
Elizabeth Picture Theatre
175 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City
Australia's most inspiring bar and drinks talks — get advice and tips to apply to your own drinks careers, whether it’s behind the bar, opening an industry business, or exploring new creative possibilities. Join Sam Bygrave and Ross Blainey as they host day of inspiring talks and drinks with Rob Libecans, Natalie Ng, James Irvine, Samantha Payne, Andy Young, Samuel Ng, and Hayden Lambert.
Teremana Tequila “Share the Mana”: It’s about people
2.00pm — 4.00pm, Monday 17 June
Soko Rooftop Brisbane
Level 14/7 Symes St, Fortitude Valley
An unforgettable journey where spirits mingle with souls, and glasses clink in harmony. The day marks the dawn of a new era, a celebration of camaraderie and the exquisite elixir known as Teremana tequila. RSVP as spaces are limited.
Oak, Grain, Terroir & People with Elijah Craig
2.00pm — 4.00pm, Monday 17 June
Alice Bar
195 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City
How do these things interact? Where does the journey start? How can we understand it better? Find out with Nate White & Yao Wong.
Four Pillars & The Collaborative Spirit
3.00pm — 5.00pm, Monday 17 June
Before + After
181 George Street, Brisbane City
Collaboration is defined as the act of working with someone to produce something and this is exactly how the Four Pillars story came to be. Join Nick Tesar, our Creative Drinks Director, as he explores what collaboration means for Four Pillars as our 10 year journey extends from humble beginnings in the idyllic country-side of the Yarra Valley, Victoria, and extends across not only Australia but across the globe to Germany, Sweden, Japan, Singapore and beyond. This is the story of how a small distillery's spirit is transformed by the relationships that feed it.
Starward presents the (New) Old Fashioned
RSVP HERE
The Boothby Best Bars QLD Awards Party
5.00pm — 8.00pm, Monday 17 June
Alice Bar
195 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
Which bar will be named number one? The second annual Boothby Best Bars QLD awards are here — join us for one big hospo party as we count down the 30 best bars in Queensland, and award the Person of the Year, All Time Great, Best New Bar, Best Cocktail Bar, Best Hospitality Team, and the number one Best Bar in Queensland.
Bar Bellamy at Before + After
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Monday 17 June
Before + After
181 George St, Brisbane City
Owner-operators Dani and Oska Whitehart from Melbourne's Bar Bellamy (number 3 on the Boothby Best Bars Victoria Top 50) — along with new recruit Alex Gondzioulis — come to Brisbane for one night only and bring their brand of high quality cocktails and warm neighbourhood hospitality to the intimate setting of Before + After.
Puffy Bois (Singapore) Pizza Party
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Monday 17 June
Stratton Bar
3 Stratton St, Newstead
Fresh Pizza. Crisp Cocktails. Good Times. All from Singapore's favourite neighbourhood cocktail and pizza joint, Puffy Bois. Presented by Puffy Bois Pizza and Sam Ng, with very special guests James Irvine, Nick Tesar and very special guest barback Thiago Frigene. No RSVP required — come down and party.
Apollo Inn & Goodwater at The Gresham
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Monday 17 June
The Gresham
308 Queen St, Brisbane
Two of Melbourne's best bars come to iconic Brisbane bar The Gresham for one night not to be missed. Apollo Inn (number 9 on the Boothby Best Bars Victoria Top 50) and newcomer Goodwater (opened by a Melbourne hospitality dream team) will team up with The Gresham and Elijah Craig for the evening. Nate White, Liv Kelly, and John Hallett will be bringing you some signature Goodwater serves including a methode traditionale bourbon & coke coined "The Champagne Old Fashioned". Cam Parish and Jack Wilson will be mixing up their Apollo Inn specialty, classic drinks with modern techniques applied, including their house fast double aged boulevardier twist. And The Gresham team will be whipping up their classic Sunnyboy with a bourbon twist. RSVPs are not essential but appreciated.
Old Love's at The Nixon Room
7.00pm - 10.00pm, Monday 17 June
The Nixon Room
Laneway 181 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley
Dre Walters and the team at Old Love's in Sydney are heading north and bringing the rum with them to join Tim Speechly at the stunning Nixon Room. Rum cocktails will flow and giveaways from our friends at Planteray and Husk will excite!
No RSVP required — roll on in!
Beneath Eagle Lane — Beneath Driver Lane at Brooklyn Standard
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Monday 17 June
Brooklyn Standard
Eagle Ln, Brisbane City
If it’s Monday in Brisbane, it’s Mariachi Monday at the award-winning live music bar Brooklyn Standard. Only that for this Bartenders’ Weekender, Melbourne’s own basement music bar, Beneath Driver Lane, will be coming to join them, too.
Moët Hennessy Party
9.00pm — 12.00am, Monday 17 June
LOS
46 James St, Fortitude Valley
Join the luxury houses of Moët Hennessy in an evening of cocktails and party vibes on us, brought to life by Hennessy, Belvedere, Volcan de mi Tierra and Glenmorangie. Get in touch with the Moët Hennessy team to get on the guest list.
All-Star Weekender
11.00pm — 1.30am, Monday 17 June
Savile Row
667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
6 All-Star bartenders Natalie Ng & Evan Stroeve, Danielle Whitehart & Oska Whitehart, and Shirley Yeung & Jacob Cohen take over Savile Row in teams of two to raise money for charity. No RSVP required!
Day Three
Tuesday 18 June
The Better Bars Summit presented by Glenfiddich Day Two
11.00am — 3.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Elizabeth Picture Theatre
175 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City
Australia's most inspiring bar and drinks talks — get advice and tips to apply to your own drinks careers, whether it’s behind the bar, opening an industry business, or exploring new creative possibilities. Join Sam Bygrave and Ross Blainey as they host day two of inspiring talks from Stefano Catino, Evan Stroeve, Pete Hollands, Shirley Yeung, Jason Williams, Trish Brew, Jacob Cohen, Alice Newport, Bonnie Shearston, Dani & Oska Whitehart, and Martin Lange.
Celebrating 300 Years of the House of Remy Martin
2.00pm — 4.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Death & Taxes
36 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City
For over three centuries, dating back to 1724, the House of Remy Martin has crafted exceptional Cognac. We invite you to commemorate 300 years of Remy Martin brands with us, including an exclusive luxury tasting to mark this historic milestone.
Grey Goose: The Art of the Martini
RSVP HERE
Jack Daniel's Bonded & Triple Mash Experience
4.00pm — 6.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Brooklyn Standard
Eagle Lane, Brisbane City
Sweet sips, soulful sounds, and Southern charm await! Immerse yourself in the spirit of Tennessee with a taste of Jack Daniel’s newest releases from the Bonded Series. Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash, a blend of three straight Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys - Jack Daniel’s American Malt, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Come down and enjoy genuine Southern hospitality, listen to live music that warms the soul, and be among the first to experience the latest edition of the Jack Daniels family of brands. Don’t miss this chance to gather with friends and celebrate the art of Tennessee sippin’. Get ready to experience the Triple Mash firsthand and hear all about it. We can’t wait to see you there!
Moister than an Oyster
6.00pm — 9.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Alba Bar & Deli
34 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City
Martinis, Snacks & Shellies with Never Never Distilling Co. Tickets are $50 and guests will receive a Shelly on arrival, three mini martinis all paired with a snack from the Alba kitchen, and further Shellies throughout the night!
Mix Haus All Star Female Bar Takeover
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Dark Red
694 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
Join Mix Haus for a night of shenanigans and good times as they host an all-stars line up party at Dark Red in Fortitude Valley. The all-stars line up will be showcasing some of Australia's best bartenders together for 1 night in Brisbane as they stir up a mess for a good cause. Come along and show your support!
The Waratah at Maker
7.00pm — 10.00pm, Tuesday 18 June
Maker
9 Fish Ln, South Brisbane
Two of Australia's best bars — The Waratah in Sydney, and Brisbane's Maker — come together for a one of a kind collaboration.
The Last Hurrah by Jagermeister
9.00pm — 12.00am, Tuesday 18 June
Alice Bar
195 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City
Experience an unforgettable evening as we raise a glass to cherished memories and unwind to the beats of industry, courtesy of Jacob Cohen on the decks. Expect a night brimming with prizes, delightful libations, all courtesy of Jägermeister. No need to rsvp — we'll see you there!
The 86 Club at Savile Row
11.00pm — 2.00am, Tuesday 18 June
Savile Row
667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
After the closing party it's the after party: Join The 86 Club as they close The Bartenders' Weekender in style — follow the call to the disco ball!