By Clyde Mooney
In just its second year of operation, Sydney speakeasy Eau-de-Vie has won the coveted ‘World’s Best New Cocktail Bar’ at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.
The five-day festival is held in New Orleans and internationally recognised as the industry’s biggest and most influential awards, acknowledging talented individuals and establishments that are helping advance the craft of the cocktail.
Eau-de-Vie beat three other venues all from New York City in the finals for the top award, with big names Dram, 1534 and Painkiller all taking a back seat to the ‘extensive and intricately designed’ cocktail list from the Darlinghurst bar.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised on a global level like this, and the team and I are overwhelmed with the response we’ve had to Eau-de-Vie. We set out to create a small cocktail bar where quality of drinks and service are king… I hope that we’re helping to drive trends on a global level rather than just following what’s happening in London and the US, which have typically been seen as leaders in our industry,” said owner, Sven Almenning (here with wife Amber).
The awards are particularly gratifying for the venue as all nominations come from members of the cocktail industry, recognising the work and skill of the all-star team fronted by Luke Redington.
They were also in the running for World’s Best Cocktail Menu and World’s Best Drinks Selection against fierce competition from London, New York, St Louis and New Orleans itself, and one of only three bars in the world to achieve three nominations.
Eau-de-Vie have also announced they will be opening soon in Melbourne under the watchful gaze of industry heavyweight Greg Sanderson, formerly of Black Pearl fame.