NOW EXPERIENCING:Everything you need to know about Sydney’s World Class Cocktail Festival 2022
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Everything you need to know about Sydney’s World Class Cocktail Festival 2022

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 10 Sep 2022

By
Lulu Morris

Cocktail takeovers, pop-up venues and a tonne of exciting events will be spread across Sydney this September.

Calling all cocktail lovers, home mixologists and alcohol appreciators! The world-famous Diageo World Class Cocktail Festival is coming to Sydney from Friday 9th to Sunday 18th of September. You got it: more than 100 bars and restaurants participating in 10 days and nights of pop-ups, events and cocktail takeovers spread around the city, celebrating the unbelievable talent our hospo industry has to offer and culminating in the prestigious Global World Class cocktail competition finals (being held in Sydney for the very first time). There’s an enormous line-up of international talent flying in for the occasion, collaborating with Sydney’s most exciting venues to deliver exceptional cocktail experiences, unique events, culinary creations and some of the best parties in town. While the actual competition is reserved for industry folk, the festival itself is open to us all. There’s plenty to choose from, but here’s our pick of the best events happening during the World Class Cocktail Festival:
Don Julio Food Truck Fiesta (15–17th September)

We’re excited about the Don Julio Food Truck Fiesta for many reasons – the opportunity to snack on grub from Beatbox Kitchen (Melbourne), Ricos Tacos (Sydney) and Taco Truck Dos (Melbourne) and more, while sipping on primo cocktails from the Don Julio cocktail bar and margaritas from Sydney greats Cantina OK! – but when we heard legendary LA chef Roy Choi was part of the package, we lost our minds. The godfather of the global food truck movement is here in Australia to join forces with local food truck pioneer Raph Rashid (founder of Taco Truck, Beatbox Kitchen, Juanita Peaches, All Day Donuts – the list goes on). Together they’re plating up a limited edition Kogi x Taco Track menu that we cannot wait to sink our teeth into. 

Get on down to Hickson Road Reserve on the 15th–17th of September for a pop-up like no other. Some of Sydney’s finest DJs will be producing the tunes, so you and your mates can have a boogie too. Tickets are $25pp, which includes your first cocktail and a bite to eat. But hurry, tickets are selling muy rapido.  

Ketel One ‘Garnished with Good’ on Clarence Street (13–17th September)In a world fist, local hospitality icon and waste-free crusader Matt Whiley is taking the Ketel One ‘Never Wasted’ concept from his award-winning venue RE and translating it into a week-long circular economy. What does that mean? A hit list of Sydney’s Clarence Street venues (The Barbershop, PS40, Old Mate’s Place and The Lobo) are coming together to transform the way the hospo industry looks at waste. Each will be utilising the others’ unwanted food and bar scraps (along with Ketel One vodka) to create inventive one-off cocktails. Pop into any of the participating bars (entry is free) from the 13–17th of September to be part of the environmentally friendly fun.
Bartenders to the stars take over Dean and Nancy’s on 22 (13–14th September)The fabulously luxe highrise bar Dean and Nancy’s on 22 will be hosting Bartenders to the Stars and former World Class Global Champions Charles Joly (USA) and David Rios (Spain) on the 13th and 14th of September from 6–10pm. The first night will celebrate the exquisite Tanqueray No. Ten Gin with Charles Joly, while David Rios will be taking us through all things European on the second night. It’s walk-ins only, so early birds get the worm. 
Johnnie Walker Blue Supper Club (14th, 15th and 16th September)If you’re looking for a phenomenal whisky experience, then the Johnnie Walker Blue Supper Club is the event for you. Peter Gilmore’s three-hatted restaurant Quay has teamed up with the prestigious Johnnie Walker Blue to unveil an exclusive pop-up whisky drinking experience. You’ll have the chance to eat small plates designed by Gilmore alongside beautiful whisky cocktails from the world’s most awarded bartender, Ryan Chetiyawardana. Given his London venue Lyaness was recently awarded Best Bar in the World at the Spirited Awards, this really isn’t one to miss. There’s two sittings a night from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th of September. Make sure you get your tickets quick because this experience is selling out fast. 
And a whole lot more!All your fave Sydney (and some Melbourne, NZ and Brissie) cocktails bars, bartenders and venues will be hosting or involved with the Festival, including these Sydney staples: Double Deuce Lounge, Fortunate Son, Continental Deli, PS40, Hickson House and Earl’s Juke Joint to name a few. We recommend heading over to World Class Festival's website to find the full itinerary of events. And remember to cheer on our mate, Nick Tesar, who will be competing against the world’s best bartenders during the festival. Go, Nick! We’re rooting for you!
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Lulu MorrisLulu is a writer at Dan Murphy’s who loves Pina Coladas, but hates getting caught in the rain.
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Hit ListCocktailsEventsSpirits
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