The bartender: they’re cocktail creators, counsellors and the unsung hero behind some of the world’s greatest drinks. On the first Friday of every December, people all over the world are raising a glass to the faces behind the craft and celebrating Bartender Appreciation Day by showing support to their local bars and bartenders in a year when the industry needs it more than ever.
To celebrate Bartender Appreciation Day in 2020, bartending talent across select IHG Hotels & Resorts has curated the top places to celebrate, meet the team and support their local with friends and family this Friday 4 December.
From an all-new Moët & Chandon vending machine on the iconic rooftop of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, to whiskey flights in Sanctuary Cove and or Hendricks Gin Pop Up Bath with low-waste concoctions at the new Crowne Plaza Hobart, guests will also uncover surprise and delights in each experience when they meet the team and greet with a thanks.
Find out more on where to celebrate this Bartender Appreciation Day on 4 December below. Selected experiences will also stay activated until the end of December for a summer of celebration.
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New South Wales
Moët & Chandon vending machine, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
Raise a glass to: Elie Aznavourian, Events Operations Manager
The limited-edition Moët & Chandon vending machine will pop-up in time to celebrate this summer, with the larger-than-life activation offering guests Moët Brut and Moët Rose minis on the iconic rooftop bar and pool deck. Plus, for guests who visit Elie this 4 December and purchase a bottle of Moët & Chandon Rose between 17:43 and 19:43, they’ll receive a complimentary grazing board to enjoy overlooking the yacht-dotted harbour. Elie says the time is a special nod to the date, 1743, when Moët was first established.
Tasmania
Hendricks Gin Pop Up Bath, Crowne Plaza Hobart
Raise a glass to: Eduardo Venegas, Hotel Services Team Member
For an elevated celebration, the all-new Crowne Plaza Hobart has launched a Hendricks Gin Pop Up Bath Bar on THE DECK: a sophisticated outdoor bar overlooking the city with kunanyi as a backdrop. Guests will indulge in the art of mixology with original creations from Eduardo to celebrate the day; highlights include the ‘Hendricks Highball’ featuring Hendricks gin, coriander root, lime, cucumber, rose water and soda. Eduardo uses the flavours of the coriander root, working with the kitchen team to re-save the root after it is often discarded and promote low-waste and sustainable sourcing. The pop-up gin bar will also be home to Eduardo’s Lavender Martini with lavender sourced from the hotel’s edible precinct garden and a Smoked Anise Negroni offering a theatrical experience as the anise is burnt with a smoking gun into a decanter.
Western Australia
Heno & Rey, InterContinental Perth
Raise a glass to: Stephen Dervin, Chief Bartedner
Bienvenidos! Heno & Rey is the spirited, Spanish tapas venue located on the corner of Hay and King Street in Perth’s CBD. Chief Bartender, Stephen Dervin, has created a new Sangria concoction in honour of the day, launching the watermelon, mint and rosé sangria as part of Heno & Rey’s Bottomless Sangria Lunches every Saturday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Plus, on Friday 4 December, if you raise a glass to Stephen, you’ll receive 50% off a nominated cocktail (that could be a $10.00 Espresso Martini to unwind into the evening!).
Queensland
Verandah Restaurant & Bar, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
Raise a glass to: Sebastian Bark, Team Leader & Melody Samuels, Bartedner
Renowned for its extensive library of the world’s rarest whiskies, Verandah Restaurant & Bar is home to multiple trios of tasting palettes created by resident bartender, Sebastian. Available from 12:00pm, the flights showcase the distinctive tastes of single-malt Scotch whisky and American Bourbon Small-Batch, including the “My Scotch Needs More Scotch” flight which features a series derived from malted barley, double-distilled, and aged in bourbon barrels for a minimum of three years. For $29, this flight offers 15mls of Highland Park, aged 12 years, Aberlour A’bunadh, and Laphroaig, aged 10 years.
Thaiti
Pop-up Pineapple Bar, InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
Raise a glass to: Turiki Rochette, First Bartender
Turiki, lives by his mantra: “The best job is to make a living from your passion”. To celebrate Bartender Appreciation Day with locals and visitors, Turiki will activate the Pineapple Pop-up Bar featuring four pineapple cocktails served in pineapple glasses and in the fruit direct as a zero-waste initiative. The bar will pop-up from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, and each guest who pops by to show their appreciation will also receive a special Tiare Tahiti (a local tropical flower) to honour the day. The flower is the French Polynesia’s national emblem and an important symbol in Polynesian life and culture. Plus, guests can get involved in making Tiare necklaces with many other flowers, a tradition that gets them ready to experience the Polynesian magic.
Bora Bora
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
Raise a glass to: Jules Inisan, Head Bartender
Parisian-born Jules Inisan is head bartender with a passion for art and travel that comes alive in his newest bar offering: the ‘Creation & Discovery’ menu. Launched now and available until 6 December everyday from 5:00pm, the menu is created by Jules and offers classic cocktails with a Polynesian twist. Jules says the principle is to allow guests to experience the power of local flavours with cocktails they’re familiar with, while leaving a few ingredients as a surprise to drive discovery. Creations include the ‘Little Mermaid’: a Pina Colada revisited with banana and Baileys, and the ‘Fresh Island’: a refreshing concoction with vanilla and passionfruit, and a shot of vodka and Perrier.
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