Don Julio tequila and CÎROC vodka come to Sydney for a five-day pop-up cocktail festival this April and May 2021.
Just in time as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, from Wednesday 28 April, Sydney will see the World Class Cocktail Festival pop-up in the CBD for a five-day tippled extravaganza.
Hoping to reignite Australia’s outstanding hospitality, quality dining and award-winning cocktails, the World Class Cocktail Festival will be shaking up drinks until Sunday 02 May 2021 in hopes of bringing our nations best bartending talent to light once more.
Featuring seven of Australia’s award-winning late-night venues which have made its place in the World’s 100 Best Bars list, the World Class Cocktail Festival boasts an extraordinary and equally exciting schedule of events and unexpected partnerships to give the world a glimpse of what to expect in cocktail competition Global Bartender of the Year which is set to come to Sydney in 2022.
In partnership with Paramount House which will be used as the official ‘main stage’ of the festival, the five-day cocktail pop-up will see Sydney’s CBD and Surry Hills come to life with one-of-a-kind experiences every day.
Joined by the likes of Don Julio tequila and Ketel One Botanical vodka, other famed world-renowned spirits such as Tanqueray No. TEN London dry gin, Belsazar vermouth and CÎROC vodka will be partnering with unlikely contenders for pleasurable ‘get in my mouth now’ moments.
So what can you expect? Jam-packed with a tippled array of things to do, the World Class Cocktail Festival will have something for every type of taste. Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of the five best World Class Cocktail Festival events you must attend this year:
Photographed by Ken Leanfore.
Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Mexico’s Golden Age Cinema
Why go to Mexico when Mexico can be brought to you! This World Class Cocktail Festival Don Julio will be transporting Sydneysiders to Jalisco at Paramount House for a feast of the senses. Running from Wednesday 28 April through to Saturday 01 May, Paramount House’s hole-in-the-wall cinema will be showcasing some of film’s favourite Mexican film directors at the Golden Age Cinema. Paying homage to Mexico’s best, you can expect the likes of Desperado, Like Water For Chocolate, El Mariachi, Brimstone & Glory and Pan’s Labyrinth taken to the screen once more. And to ensure you’re tippled with a concoction, you’ll be able to sip on a contemporary Don Julio tequila cocktail too.
Photographed by Andre & Dominique.
Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Butter x CÎROC
Australia’s favourite fried chicken and cult burger brand, Butter, has teamed up with Luke Whearty from Byrdi (number 80 from World’s Best Bars) to create a limited-edition Dirty Byrdi cocktail. Considered a meal in itself, this never-been-done-before cocktail will see a jaw dropping mix of Butter’s fried chicken fat wash coagulate with CÎROC vodka for a dirty and delightfully satisfying martini you just have to try. Available only throughout the duration of the festival. Be sure to try the Fried Chicken & Donut ($18) whilst you’re here.
Image supplied.
Pamela’s x Don Julio Night Brunch
There’s no denying that Sydneysiders love their late-night feeds. So, to help you start next-day festivities early, Pamela’s has partnered with Don Julio for a two-night special this World Class Cocktail Festival. Kicking off at 10pm, guests are welcomed to enjoy performances from some of Sydney’s best drag queens whilst enjoying a mouthwatering bacon sandwich with a side of spicy Don Julio margarita to down. We’ll sing to that.
Photographed by Anna Kucera.
Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Simon Johnson x Ketel One: The Truth About Caviar
To help celebrate Ketel One Botanical vodka, Sydneysiders will be able to fish into an afternoon of delights thanks to The Truth About Caviar event. A pairing brought to you by the team from Simon Johnson, Purveyor of Quality Food will offer an educational tasting for guests as their understand more about the history of this luxurious ingredient. Alongside bumps of caviar, guests will be treated to Ketel One vodka martinis for a tasting experience like no other. Don’t swim around, this is one event not to miss.
Photographed by Dick Sweeney.
Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Maybe Sammy – Maybe Sevilla
To help close the World Class Cocktail Festival, Maybe Sammy – 11th on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars – will be hosting a theatrical and must go-to event on Sunday 02 May. Starting at 4pm, the team at Maybe Sammy will be transporting the Harrington Street venue into a Spanish-style haven with Tanqueray No. TEN & Tanqueray Sevilla cocktails at the forefront. With live Latin music, this closing celebration will also see off the new Australian Bartender of the Year to compete against the rest of the world as part of the global finals.
Keep up to date with latest events and learn more about the World Class Cocktail Festival via their website.
Looking to experience more of Sydney’s best cocktails? Start by ticking off these 10 best cocktail bars in Sydney you must visit in 2021. Or, if you’d rather pick-up and enjoy it later, shake up happy hour at home with Sydney’s first-ever cocktail drive-thru. Looking for more inspiration? Why not try some of our delicious featured cocktail recipes – from Sailor Jerry Whipped Cream Birthday Cake cocktails to these two alternative Cointreau margarita recipes.
