Did You Ever Wonder Where Bartenders Go For a Drink?By Madelyn MillerAfter years of being married to a doctor, I learned that doctors know who are the other best doctors. And it also applies in other fields. So if you want to know the best bar or bartender in a city, ask your favorite bartender where he goes. The glossy magazine, "Bartender", has confirmed what Sydney's swinging social set has been discovering in recent months: The Bridge Bar at East Circular Quay is the best cocktail bar in the country. The magazine, produced exclusively for bartenders, announced its inaugural national awards in Sydney recently naming the Bridge Bar The Cocktail Bar of the Year. Actually, after having a drink there my first night in Sydney, I am not at all surprised to hear that they won the award.
The Bridge Bar enjoys a unique location, suspended between the tenth floors of the luxurious apartment blocks, Bennelong (the 'Toaster') and Quayside. Perhaps even more than its unique construction, the Bridge Bar is celebrated for the extraordinary views on eye-level with the Harbour Bridge and overlooking the bustle of the harbour, Circular Quay and the sunset to the west, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens and more harbour as far as the Heads to the east.
But most important for tired travelers to know is that the lighting is red. Everyone knows that pink lighting is the most flattering to your skin, and red lighting goes a little further. Which is typical of the Bar. They go a little further. The bar is operated by Cadmus, the fine dining Lebanese restaurant three floors above and named for the most illustrious hero of Phoenicia, now Lebanon, and Buckland explains that one of the most popular cocktails is the Cadmus (Malibu, Golden Bacardi, mango and passionfruit). The usual legendary suspects are on the cocktail menu including Zeus, king of the gods, Harmonia, Cadmus's gentle wife and intriguingly, Aphrodite, the goddess of love (Kurrant Vodka, rose water, berry framboise and soda). Other favourites are the ubiquitous Cosmopolitan and the Caipiroska (vodka, sugar, crushed limes, strawberries and mandarin) according to Buckland as he demonstrates his repertoire for flair, nonchalantly tossing a cocktail mixer over one shoulder and a bottle over the other. He explains that he practises his tricks at home and to date, hasn't had an accident while on duty He previously worked at top spots like Quay Bar and Café Sydney.
While "Bartender" magazine nominates the Bridge Bar's 'amazing position', it points out that it was the whole package that won the award with 'a cocktail list to rival any in the country...one of the longest and most diverse you're likely to find'. It also praises 'the great lounge chairs and table service to friendly staff and immaculate drinks...the beautiful glassware, appropriate lounge music and great bar food'. FOR MORE INFORMATION The Bridge Bar is on Level 10, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay, Sydney Australia and operates from midday till late Monday to Friday, 3pm till late on Saturday and Sundays BEST WAY TO GET TO AUSTRALIAQANTAS BEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT SYDNEY AND NEW SOUTH WALESTourism New South Wales The Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau www.scvb.com.au Sydney Visitors Center City of Sydney GREAT GUIDEBOOKSINSIGHT GUIDE TO SYDNEY MUST-SEE SYDNEY Lonely Planet Sydney The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2002 OUT TO EAT SYDNEYLonely Planet Shopping Secrets Sydney SENSUAL SYDNEYLonely Planet Australia Fodor’s Australia Independent Traveler’s Austalia 2001 Aboriginal Australia & the Torres Strait Islands Must-See Australia Australia Handbook Maverick Guide to Australia Australia Signpost Guides Traveler's Tales Australia WHERE TO STAYThe Observatory Hotel REGENT SYDNEY a Four Seasons Hotel WESTIN RESTAURANTS (Some of Madelyn’s favorites)TETSUYA’S BEST SPASThe Observatory Hotel Day Spa—Grand dame of pampering and unique treatments SPA CHAKRA SYDNEY 170 Victoria Street Potts Point NSW 2011 PHONE (02) 9368 0888 FAX (02) 9380 2950 EMAIL spachakra@chakra.net Regent Hotel—try the jetlag recovery treatment Jurlique Wellness Sanctuary Day Spa Joh Bailey The Ginseng Bathhouse If you have a few extra days Consider trips to: Blue Mountains www.winecountry.com.au I toured with Australian Wild Escapes. Ask for Marcus to be your guide. Australian Wild Escapes Great Private Guide “A Sydney Day” MUST SEESydney Opera House www.sydneyoperahouse.com Climate (Winter) NSW : Days can be cool, with average maximum temperature of around 59°F. Night minimum is around 41°F. Note that in the Snowy Mountains region daytime temperatures can be around 46°F with a high wind chill factor. Clothing (Winter) NSW: Warmer clothing and enclosed walking shoes/boots are recommended for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Very warm waterproof and windproof clothing and footwear is advisable for the Snowy Mountains region. Climate (Summer) NSW: Summer months have daily temperatures of between 77°F and 95°F. Night temperatures are mild at around 68°F. Clothing (Summer) NSW : Light, comfortable summerweight clothing should be worn, including a sunhat and sun protection cream for daytime. (Swimwear too of course!). A lightweight jumper or jacket can be necessary in the evenings and for the Blue Mountains. Good walking shoes or boots should be brought if you are bushwalking. Note that Sydney is subtropical; summer might bring occasional afternoon storms, so lightweight wet weather protection is advisable. |
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The "Bartender" award, however, was not based on view alone but on the luxurious decor, the ambience, service and most importantly, the cocktail list. The Bridge's bartender is a charming young Englishman, Matt Buckland, one of the country's most talented flair barmen who has added 25 drinks to the cocktail menu bringing the total to an astonishing 189 magical potions.
Matt Buckland, 22, is an Englishman and explains that in his final year at Bryanston school, he was with the rugby team that toured Australia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. He fell so passionately for Sydney that he returned within two months of arriving back in England. After a night of dispensing exotic cocktails he confesses he heads home and relaxes with a beer.