The Time Out Sydney bar awards took place at Oxford Art Factory on Sunday afternoon (10 March), with the city’s Best New Bar, Bar of the Year and Legend Award winners all named.
The Sydney awards followed the Melbourne edition of the annual awards night, which was held the previous Sunday (3 March) at Transport Public Bar in Federation Square.
The awards had caused some controversy last month when the finalists of the Bartender of the Year were all male, but following the magazine’s apology and promises to make changes, hundreds turned up on the night to celebrate Sydney’s wonderful bar industry.
In Sydney, co-owner of Bulletin Place, Tim Philips – which won Best Cocktail Bar – praised Time Out during his acceptance speech.
“Time Out magazine is probably the most progressive company when it comes to supporting women,” Phillips said, before going on to thank his team for all the hard work they have done to help Bulletin Place win this award. The bar was also named Best Cocktail Bar at the 2018 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
The bar’s manager, Evan Stroeve also picked up an award after he was named as Bartender of the Year.
The Best New Bar went to Old Mate’s Place, and the bar enjoyed a double win on the night after it was later named as the Bar of the Year.
Other awards on the night also included Best Wine Bar – Wyno; Best Beer Bar – Odd Culture; Best Bar Food – Love Tilly Devine and Best Bar Team – Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern. Sarah Mycock of PS40 collected the Hot New Talent award, the People’s Choice award went to Redfern Surf Club and the Legend Award went to James Bradey and Warren Burns of Liquid and Larder.
In Melbourne, Fitzroy cocktail bar The Everleigh was announced as the Bar of the Year – with the team also taking home the award for Best Cocktail Bar in addition to the top gong.
Bartender of the Year went to Lewis Halls from Bad Frankie, while the Legend Award went to Tash Conte – who has helmed the juggernaut that is Black Pearl for more than 16 years.
Other awards revealed on the night included Best Wine Bar – Kirk’s Wine Bar; People’s Choice Award – Elysian Whisky Bar; Best Bar Team – Union Electric; Best New Bar – Clooney Kitchen and Bar; Best Bar Food – Congress, and the Hot Talent Award – Jessica Clayfield.
The awards night in Sydney also saw Michael Rodrigues, Managing Director of Time Out Australia, call on the city’s bar industry to get behind the Unite for the Night campaign, which is launching in venues this week.
Rodrigues highlighted the election scorecard which the Unite for the Night team has put together, which highlights the night-time policies of the major parties ahead of the state election taking place in New South Wales later this month.
