A major new drinks show, championing premium brands and highlighting Australia's world-class bartending scene, launches in Melbourne in February 2014.
Top Shelf, created in association with industry titles bars&clubs, The Shout and Australian Hotelier, is aimed at trade professionals and discerning consumers alike and will bring together the industry's finest producers for two days of sampling, demonstrations and bartending contests. Time Out will be Top Shelf's consumer media partner.
Hundreds of the world's best spirits, craft beers and ciders, fine wines and cocktails will be showcased at the event, international speakers will educate and inspire, and pop-up bars, featuring mini-versions of Australia's best cocktail establishments, will highlight the talent and innovation that drives the bar industry today.
The show will open to the public on Sunday 23 February 2014 but includes a trade-only day on Monday 24 February 2014. It will take place at the Town Square Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale.
In addition, the two-day expo will act as a hub around which a series of satellite events will be built – tastings, masterclasses and talks, to be hosted by some of Melbourne's best bars in the days and nights around the show. As such, Top Shelf promises to be one of the most talked-about experiences of 2014.
To register your interest in attending the show and for more details, visit the Top Shelf website at www.topshelfshow.com.au
Suppliers interested in exhibiting and bars that want to be involved with the show should email James Wells, publisher of the Liquor & Hospitality Group at Intermedia, who will be overseeing the event's launch. James will be working with Sweet & Chilli, the bar consultancy and event company appointed as Top Shelf's creative consultants.
The show's concept and initial planning have also benefited from the contributions of Paul Wootton, the former editor of CLASS and Restaurant magazines in the UK, who has consulted on the event.
You can contact James Wells on 02 8586 6101 or by emailing james@intermedia.com.au