Sydney cocktail culture gets some global kudos

Congratulations to The Speakeasy Group, which has been nominated in five categories in Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards, the biggest and most influential bar industry awards globally! 

We've been to and enjoyed a drink at the seriously hip bar Eau de Vie in Sydney (that's it pictured - we've featured it in 'The Scene' in our next issue of Holidays for Couples!), so it's great to hear it is up for the 'World's Best Cocktail Bar' award, alongside these others:

• World's Best Drink Selection - Eau de Vie Sydney
• World's Best Cocktail Menu - The Roosevelt
• International Bartender of the Year - Max Greco, Eau de Vie Sydney
• Best Bar Mentor - Sven Almenning (owner of Eau de Vie, Eau de Vie Melbourne and The Roosevelt)

Proving the awesome bar and cocktail culture of Australia sits alongside New York and London as being home to the world’s best bars! 

For a full listing of awards and other nominees, check out the Tales of the Cocktail website. The winners will be announced in June at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Good luck guys!

An interactive cocktail experience at Zeta Bar, Hilton Sydney

A few of us from the Holidays for Couples team are headed to Sydney this week, so I've been on the look out for some things to see and do in the evenings. At least one night out is going to start here I think: The Zeta Bar at Hilton Sydney. Check out the eclectic selection of innovative new cocktails on its menu ... a round of drinks at Zeta is more like a science experiment! 

Reinforcing its reputation as one of the most cutting edge cocktail bars in the Southern Hemisphere, Zeta Bar's Mixologist and international bar consultant Grant Collins continues to pioneer the most prominent global bar trends. Collins’ latest quirky and interactive cocktails are inspired by market fresh ingredients, quality spirits and progressive interpretations on timeless classics. His creations for summer/autumn 2012 include; Gunpowder Plot, Champagne & Strawberry Martini, DIY Old Fashioned, Apple Absinth Nitro Punch and Very British G&T.

Access to Zeta is via glass elevator at the Hilton Sydney entrance on George Street, and you will find us sipping on a cocktail (or a few!) on the outdoor terrace overlooking the iconic Queen Victoria Building. Or maybe if we're lucky, in the VIP lounge ... Zeta sounds like one of the CBD cocktail bars to be seen in!