Time Out has revealed the dates for its annual Bar Awards, with the Melbourne awards taking place on Monday December 2 and the Sydney awards taking place on Monday December 9.
Time Out Melbourne’s awards will take place at the General Assembly, while the Powerhouse Museum will host Sydney’s awards. Awards will be given for Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year and Best New Bar among others, with nominees to be announced soon.
Speaking about the Sydney awards, Time Out Australia founder and managing director, Michael Rodrigues: “As Sydney’s nightlife commences a process of regeneration, we wish to celebrate the role that our bar scene plays in the cultural fabric of the city.
“The Powerhouse Museum is the perfect place for our awards this year because we recognise our best hospitality professionals not solely for their ability to make us feel better after a long day at work, but for the part they play within the context of the development of culture.
“When bars close, it takes people away from cultural institutions, restaurants, shops and hotels as well, affecting the entire going-out ecosystem.”
Asahi Premium Beverages is a major partner of the Time Out Bar Awards 2020 and John Kelly National On Premise Group Business Manager, Asahi Premium Beverages, said: “Time Out has been at the forefront of the movement to revitalise Sydney’s night time economy. Asahi Premium Beverages is proud to be partnering with Time Out through our Third Space hospitality platform which aims to deliver value to the industry beyond the traditional supplier/customer relationship.
“The Time Out Bar Awards plays an important role in promoting the independent bar scene in particular. In turn, Asahi Premium Beverages is excited to play our part in supporting these bars which bring colour and diversity to our cities.”
Time Out has played an important part in the establishment of the Night Time Industries Association, an advocacy group campaigning for positive change in Sydney’s nightlife, that is chaired by Rodrigues.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, welcomed Time Out Australia’s long-term support for Sydney’s night-time economy and recognised the important contribution that the Night Time Industries Association has made this year.
“Following the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Sydney’s night-time economy, I trust the NSW Government will be moving swiftly to introduce legislation to remove the lockout laws,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“This means that 2020 is a vital year for Sydney’s nightlife, as we all work together to fix the damage done by the lockouts and rebuild a safe and diverse Sydney nightlife that we can be proud of.
“It is especially important that we recognise the bar managers, bartenders, chefs and all hospitality workers who keep Sydney’s nightlife afloat, each and every night. The 2020 Time Out Bar Awards will be a wonderful opportunity to thank these hard workers for their tireless commitment to Sydney.”
Speaking about the Melbourne awards, Time Out Australia editorial director Cass Knowlton, said: “Time Out’s eighth annual Bar Awards are our way of sharing the best of the city with our readers.
“We’ve tasted our way around Melbourne, heading upstairs, down alleys and into basements to find the best bars the cities have to offer. And we’re excited to share what we’ve learned with our readers, who love going out as much as we do.”
The Bar Awards are judged by a panel of its independent critics, except for the People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by the public, and the Bartender of the Year and Rising Talent Awards, which are judged by Time Out critics with the consultation of an industry panel.
“Time Out’s reviewers visit old and new bars anonymously to keep an eye on talents, trends and changes in the industry,” said Time Out Melbourne food and drink editor Jess Ho. “This process helps identify venues and individuals who are rising above the rest. It’s a challenging but exciting process that keeps our finger on the pulse of Melbourne’s ever-changing bar scene.”