By James Atkinson
About 500 bar industry people and Time Out Sydney readers attended the fifth annual Time Out Sydney Bar Awards yesterday on Cockatoo Island.
The cream of Sydney’s bar scene – from industry legends to hot up-and-comers – enjoyed drinks on the harbour and clinked glasses with readers.
Rock act the Rubens headlined, playing a one-off gig fresh off their latest sold-out tour just for Time Out.
Sneaky Sound System’s Angus McDonald presented the Hall of Fame Award to Icebergs’ Maurice Terzini. [continues below]
Some of the Time Out Sydney Bar Award winners
Whisky den the Baxter Inn took home Bar of the Year, while tequila slosh house Tio’s went away with Best New Bar. People’s Choice, an award voted by over 2,000 Time Out readers, was given to Mojo Record Bar. Best Bar Food went to Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill.
“Time Out awards the best of the best. It’s independent, and refreshingly agenda-free," said Time Out’s chief food and drink critic, Myffy Rigby.
"The only thing we’re interested in at these awards is celebrating our quality Sydney bar scene."
The Midnight Special, Enmore’s favourite little record bar, left the island with the award for Best Entertainment while Best Design went to Hinky Dinks.
For the first time ever, Time Out gave over the reins to ten of Sydney’s most respected bartenders, asking them to each elect their picks for Hot Talent. The award went to Black Bar’s Michael Chiem, while Baxter Inn’s Lewis Jaffrey picked up the award for Best Bartender.
Best Wine Bar was won for the second time in three years by the Wine Library, while newcomers the Hazy Rose took out Best Small Bar. Late-night speakeasy Palmer and Co brought it home with Best Cocktail Bar, while the Local Taphouse did craft beer proud winning Best Pub.