This hotly anticipated festival isn’t only for bartenders. Here’s the events that everyone can enjoy.

The most exciting week in a bartender’s calendar is finally here and you all better be ready. If you haven’t heard of Sydney Bar Week, you may not have spent as much time slinging drinks behind the bar as this writer right here, but that’s okay because this is a good time everyone can get behind. From masterclasses, tastings, parties and more, there is heaps to see, do and (more importantly) taste during Sydney Bar Week. While a lot of the activity is crafted with hospo and bar staff in mind, here’s a list of things all the best things non-bartender types should attend.

Indie Spirits Tasting

Let’s start with the obvious fave – the Indie Spirits Tasting. There is no cooler feeling than being on top of drink trends. It means you’re in the know, that you’re “one” with the bartender – a very covetable position if you ask us. The Indie Spirits Tasting gives you exactly that – the chance to taste all the up-and-comers, rare whiskies, new gins and the in-betweens – all there for you, the consumer, to have a go at.

There are a bunch of cool producers showcasing their new stuff this year – 40 exhibitors showcasing more than 100 craft spirits to be exact – with many master distillers on hand and heaps of great seminars to attend. If you’ve never been to an Indie Spirits Tasting, this is a good one to start with as all our fave producers are coming out with their new Aussie whiskies: Brookies/Cape Byron Distilling, Manly Spirits and Archie Rose, to name a few.

This year the event is back at the Potts Point Hotel in Kings Cross on September 4th and runs from 1pm to 4pm. The tickets sell out really fast, so if you reckon this is something you’d be interested in attending, it’s better to buy your tickets now or face the dreaded FOMO later.

Amaro masterclass

If you want a real intimate affair, there’s also a brilliant amaro tasting taking place at our fave Kings Cross staple, Piccolo Bar, with David Spanton and the team. It’s a super casual session to discuss and taste different Italian amari styles (light, carciofo, rubarbaro, alpine, mediterranean and fernet) straight from the Piccolo Bar menu. David helped us give you a breakdown of amaro recently, but now’s your chance to have a go at these tasty brands: Braulio, Averna, Cynar, Zucca Rubarbaro, Nonino Amaro and Fernet Branca.

David and the team will also be chatting through and tasting different aromatised wine styles (think vermouth, quinquina, Americano, Chinato and more) alongside some light snacks (crisps, olives and nuts). The seats are super limited so, if you’re thinking of going, buy your tix here.

PS40 Takeover Tuesday: Bar Week edition of SA GOOD HEY! feat. Alba Bar and Deli

This is a fun one for the foodies out there. If you’re a Sydney local you might know that PS40 has been doing something known as “Takeover Tuesday” for some time now. SA GOOD HEY! is a very special Bar Week edition of those pop-up events. Run by PS40, the team at Never Never Distilling and Alba Bar and Deli, the event will see cocktails that featured in the ‘Step into the Never Never’ cocktail competition paired with some rad dishes cooked by Alba’s Jamie Fleming. Seatings are available all night with "special supper and drink" seating after 9pm. Bookings are essential for this event so make sure you visit PS40’s Insta page to secure your seat.

Bartendery types

If you’re in the trade, we’re sure you’re already on top of all the coolest and hippest masterclasses and parties on offer, but if not, have a squiz at all the workshops and talks on the Sydney Bar Week website.