Kings Cross Distillery and bar to open soon, Sydney rum bar The Lobo changes its name, a new schedule for Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and more in this week’s industry news.
Kings Cross Distillery – Photo Supplied
Kings Cross Distillery & Bar
Kings Cross Distillery is set to open its doors in time for spring 2020. The venue will encompass a distillery and a bar located in what was previously a 1960s speakeasy and illegal gambling den followed by an adult book store in the 1970s. The bar will be serving Australian and international spirits and once COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted, the venue will accommodate 120 guests. Personalised spirit lockers where guests can keep their own bottles will be made available. The distillery’s first spirit has been released. Distilled in a pot-still known as “Miss Pottsy” by distiller and spirit architect, Odelia Potts, KXG Australian Classic Dry Gin combines traditional botanicals with fresh Sydney organic lemons and Australian native myrtles.
Shop 8, 127 Macleay Street, Potts Point, Sydney, NSW 2011
The Lobo Removes Plantation from Name
Sydney rum bar, The Lobo has removed the word ‘Plantation’ from their name. The move was in solidarity with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) in the Caribbean rum industry and around the world. In a statement made on their social media,
Though it was never our intent, we acknowledge that the word ‘plantation’ is offensive, given the history of plantations in the Caribbean and the US and the oppression and exploitation that happened around the mass production of sugar.
This decision was made after much thought and discussion about how we want to support the BIPOC community and create a venue and space where all guests, both national and international, feel 100% welcome at all times.”
In similar news, Plantation Rum has also announced that it will also change its name.
Australian Distilled Spirits Awards Rescheduled
The 2020 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) have been rescheduled with judging taking place from Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 August 2020. Head Judge Sebastian Costello, owner of Melbourne bar Bad Frankie, will lead a team of 25 industry experts across two days with a wide variety of Australian spirits and liqueurs set to be showcased and awarded. New in 2020 are trophies for Champion Victorian Distiller and Champion Victorian Gin that are supported by the Victorian State Government.
To enter online visit www.rasv.com.au/spirits before entries close Friday 31 July 2020. The awards will be presented on Thursday 10 September via online stream.
New Cocktails & Bars Spirit Articles
As we announced previously, and in light of our sister website Gourmantic ceasing publication, we have been migrating several spirit articles over to Cocktails & Bars, mainly whisky, gin, vermouth and interviews. The migration has now been successfully completed. This content is evergreen and a great addition to what we’ve already established on Cocktails & Bars since 2015. You can find it under the Spirits, Cocktails and People categories.
Opening a new cocktail bar or distillery? Contact us here.
