The Bartenders’ Weekenders will be a celebration of all things bar-related taking place in Brisbane next month featuring international bar collaborations, immersive hands on workshops, industry tastings, parties, panel discussions and events.
The weekend showcase Brisbane bars and producers to Australia and the world, and the team behind this bar extravaganza – Penny Sippe and Sam Bygrave – have named the recipients of the six scholarships, to take them to join in and learn in Brisbane.
Penny said: “We have created a scholarship program and are looking for the five most promising bartenders to bring to Brisbane and encourage the next generation of passionate industry professionals to become leaders in their home cities.”
The original plan was to award five scholarships, but after receiving 169 applications from bartenders across Australia, the decision was made to award six scholarships.
- The six winners are: Elisa Rodrigues, bartender at Maybe Mae in Adelaide
- Jac Landmark, bar supervisor at Frisk Small Bar in Perth
- Judith Zhu, bar manager of Doorknock in Sydney
- Liv Kelly, front of house manager at Goodwater in Melbourne
- Riley Landini, bar manager at Hanky Panky Lounge in Darwin
- Samuel Cocks, bar manager at RE in Sydney
The scholarship will provide flights, accommodation, spending money and an all-access pass to our six recipients to learn, connect, and create in Brisbane and is an exciting part of the program.
Over 30 events across three days are planned, with bartenders from across Australia invited to get involved, collaborate with like-minded interstate and international peers, learn, network and celebrate. Bartenders’ Weekender is inviting drinks professionals — whether they’re from Australia’s big capital cities, the regions, or from across the seas — to come and discover what’s making Brisbane the next big thing in drinks. Act of Treason, Balvenie, Burdekin Rum, Elijah Craig, Fever-Tree, Four Pillars, Jack Daniel’s, Jagermeister, Jim Beam, Joseph Cartron, Moet Hennessy, Never Never, Proof and Company, Remy Martin, Saint Felix, Starward, StrangeLove and Teremana Tequila, are all on board to deliver memorable experiences for the hospitality industry.
A hero event of the Bartenders’ Weekender schedule is The Better Bars Summit presented by Glenfiddich which will provide Australia’s most inspiring bar and drinks talks. Guests will receive advice and tips to apply to their own drinks careers, whether it’s behind the bar, opening an industry business, or exploring new creative possibilities. The two days will be a mix of presentations by individual speakers, panel discussions and one-on-one interviews with Sam Bygrave – all packed with ideas and inspiration.
Confirmed speakers include Alice Newport (Beam Suntory), Andy Young (The Shout, Bars & Clubs), Bonnie Shearston (Happy Fat), Dani & Oska Whitehart (Bar Bellamy), Evan Stroeve (The Waratah), Hayden Lambert (Above Board), Jacob Cohen (Savile Row), James Irvine (Merivale), Jason Williams (House Made Hospitality), Martin Lange (Dr Gimlette, Antico, Death & Taxes and Cobbler), Natalie Ng (Doorknock, Now & Then), Peter Hollands (Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Alice, The Alliance), Rob Libecans (Caretaker’s Cottage), Ross Blainey (William Grant & Sons), Samantha Payne (Wine writer, sommelier), Sammy Ng from Singapore (Puffy Bois), Shirley Yeung (Haus Made), Stefano Catino (Public Group, Maybe Sammy) and Trish Brew (Fever-Tree).
Early bird tickets are available now and can be purchased here.
