Hey bartendery types! On this episode of Drinks At Work, Sam Bygrave speaks to Kayla Saito and Yao Wong about what it taks to put on guest shifts in foreign lands, working only with the ingredients you find when you're there.

Hey bartendery types! On this episode of Drinks At Work, Sam Bygrave speaks to George Curtis about what it takes to open not one but two Brisbane bars, why food is so important in the industry right now, about Bartenders' Weekender, and loads more.

Hey bartendery types! On this episode of Drinks At Work, Sam Bygrave speaks to two Brisbane bartenders — Charlie Hunter and Jacob Cohen — about what makes that scene tick, about Bartenders' Weekender, and loads more.

Hey bartendery types! On this episode of Drinks At Work, we're doing things a little differently. Host Sam Bygrave is joined by Sebastian Cosmo Soto to unpack the last few weeks in bars in Australia, talking about the Maybe Cocktail Festival, the benefit of takeovers, Sorry Not Sorry, and new wine and cocktail joint, Bar Demo, before putting together a list of iconic bars you must visit — whether or not they make good drinks today.

Sam Bygrave speaks with Daniel Waddy and Finn Sugrue from Satan's Whiskers in London, your favourite bartender's favourite bartenders' bar.

Sam Bygrave speaks with Sebastian Tollius, the beverage director New York’s Clemente Bar and Eleven Madison Park. We discuss the evolution of cocktail culture, the importance of creating unique bar experiences, and the collaborative nature of crafting cocktails that pair beautifully with food. Sebastian shares insights into his journey from Boston to New York, the challenges of maintaining high standards in a fine dining environment, and the significance of community in the bartending world — as well as what makes a great bar and what he looks for in a bartender.

At Maybe Sammy here in Sydney, I talked with John Galiatsatos (Group Advocacy Manager, Suntory Oceania), Valentine Maguire (Design Manager, Club Suntory),

Rhi Lucas (Maker’s Mark Diplomat, Australia & New Zealand), Alice Newport (James B. Beam Distilling Co. Ambassador, Australia & New Zealand), Ella Jones (Brand Activation Specialist, NSW/ACT), and Sophie Smallwood (Event Manager, Club Suntory).

In the chat, they get into a little of the history of Club Suntory and talk about its significance over the years, the program’s focus on inclusivity and talking to bartenders outside the big metro areas to address what John says is an insularity creeping into the bartending world.

We also get an idea of what to expect when they bring Suntory Cup back, too. The cocktail competition has a rich history and big emphasis on fun, something that can be forgotten every now and then in competition bartending space.

Learn more at club.suntory.com or on Instagram @clubsuntoryoceania.

There are many cocktail competitions in the bar world, but there isn’t one quite like Speed Rack. Speed Rack is the US-based high-speed bartending competition designed to highlight women and femme-identifying people in the bar industry, all the while raising money for charities supporting breast cancer research — and putting on one big party.

And in 2025, Speed Rack is returning to Australian shores with the assistance of William Grant & Sons.