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Don julio

Get Ready to Drink Up, The World Class Cocktail Festival is Coming To Sydney


The World Class Cocktail Festival is coming in hot, set to kick things off next week in its much-anticipated return to the streets of Sydney from 9 – 18 September. The programme has doubled in size since last year, with new venues popping up left, right and centre, hosting incredible one-off food and beverage experiences, pop-up events and parties all over the city. Sound too good to resist? Find out what’s in store for the festival this year.

Related: These are the best bars in Sydney, according to us.

Tanqueray

Image: Tanqueray 10 | Nikki To

The festival is expanding from Sydney’s CBD and The Rocks into the ever-so-trendy streets of the Inner West for a mammoth few Why the TAB Everest Day is the World’s Richest Turf Race events taking over some of Sydney’s most-loved hotspots. The fun times will be kicking off in Newtown with Continental Deli where Sebastian Belsazar, the founder of Belsazar Vermouth, will be mixing up a tasty Aperitivo Hour. Next up is Newtown hotspot Earl’s Juke Joint, which is set to welcome Melbourne’s The Black Pearl with a drool-worthy menu featuring Don Julio tequila cocktails (above), snacks and tunes. Sydney’s most treasured hidden bar, Door Knock is also joining in on the fun for one night only as some of the world’s greatest female bartenders take over the tins.

In the CBD, you’ll find a swathe of new venues jumping into the mix. Whilst it all sounds like a rollicking good time, some of the events we’re most excited for include the intimate dinner at The Gidley hosted by one of Sydney’s favourite bartenders, Tim Phillips-Johansson. The World Class Global winner and Global Johnnie Walker Ambassador will take guests on a truly spectacular whisky journey with a perfect combo of personal and historical musings. Speaking of whisky, there’s plenty for lovers of that nectar of the gods at this year’s festival, with lots of bars offering unique experiences from the likes of The Singleton single malt Scotch whisky, as well as Talisker and Johnnie Walker.

Johnny walker blue label

Image: Johnny Walker Blue Label | Nikki To

And, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, this year’s lineup is also set to take things to the next level. You can expect plenty of Aussie favourites as well as lots of international talent. Some big names include ‘master of the martini’ Ago Perrone, the world’s most awarded bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, as well as London-based Monica Berg.

The options are endless when it comes to location; basking under the sun in Sydney Harbour or in an intimate, steamy bar in Newtown, set against the backdrop of good tunes, good food and – most importantly – good drinks. So, no matter what you’re into, whether it be sweet and salty margaritas, a decadent martini or a simple whisky on the rocks, there’s something suited to every taste and vibe at this year’s cocktail festival.

The World Class Cocktail Festival program takes place from 9 – 18 September and tickets can be found via the link below.

Check it out

Roy choi

Image: Roy Choi | Emari Traffie

Matt whiley 1

Image: Matt Whiley

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