One of the biggest problems living in Melbourne is our bar scene. With our secret, hidden, downright cool bars, it’s impossible to know which one to head to for the first Espresso Martini of the night. #firstworldproblems
So, lucky us, Timeout have uncovered a list of best new bars, party bars, bar team and more!
Tonight the #TOBARAWARDS were held at the uber cool The Mill House (Flinders Lane), just down the road from On The List HQ, so a clear team favourite drinking hole! There were 11 categories and it’s the 4th year the event has been held. We knew if it was anything like the Time Out Food Awards we were in for an industry treat – that by the way the public can buy tickets to, so seriously keep an eye out for the next one!
However my advice would be to never go out on the same night at the #TOBarAwards because the absolute best bartenders in Melbourne are all in the same room, so unless you’re ordering beer, save the cocktails for another night.
We feasted on sweetbread popcorn, slow-cooked octopus, cured kingfish and quinoa and corn croquettes (I personally avoided the beef heart and tongue like the plague, jipes that freaks me out, but everyone else loves it). We smashed an old fashioned cocktail by Makers Mark and a White Rabbit beer!
Bar of the Year
EDV
Best New Bar
Boilermaker House
Best Cocktail Bar
The Everleigh
Best Wine Bar
Bar Clarine
Best Bar Food
Hihou
Best Bartender
Nathan Beasley – Black Pearl
Best Bar Team
EDV
Hot Talent
Luke Sanderson, Black Pearl
Best Party Bar
Heartbreaker
People’s Choice Award
Polly
Legend Bar
Gin Palace
While of course there were clear winners in each category tonight, we should probably head to each and every one of the nominee’s just to be super sure?! Join us?
The Time Out Bar Awards are an industry-recognised celebration of talent, voted on by independent editors and reviewers. Winners in last year’s awards included such bars as the Everleigh, Le Bon Ton, Black Pearl, Bar Americano and Harry & Frankie. Most of them were at least nominated again this year, cementing them as Melbourne’s best of the best!
We also got out hot little hands on the 2016 edition of the Time Out Melbourne Bar Guide which was launched tonight, and there are so many bars in there we are thankful we have the wholllllle of 2016 to get through them!
