Battle of the Bartenders

Monday evening saw the second round of the most anticipated fight on the Northern Beaches. The region’s best bartenders limbered up; the jiggers and shakers were out and judges were there to decide who can whip up the mightiest cocktail of them all! 

Northern Beaches magazine COVERED ran the second round of the four-stage cocktail making battle, where judges taste and rate bartenders’ cocktail making skills. The event was held at Sugar Lounge, Manly.

Five First Table favourites battled it out with other local bars to showcase their mad mixology skills. Hemingway’s were leading the way after gaining the top spot from Round One earlier this year – fighting off more than a hundred cocktail makers and bar crew. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of Round Two!

If you’re a lover of martinis, mojitos or anything alcoholic, you can have your own say in COVERED magazine’s favourite bar poll. Vote for your favourite here and COVERED magazine will put you in the draw to win a food, drink and accommodation package worth over $1,250.

Not sure who to vote for? Here’s our favourites (after rigorous testing, of course…)

Manly Pavilion - It’s not just the location of this bar that’s on fire. We love the sophisticated cocktail menu – try the frothy, sour and silky Jasmine Sour with jasmine infused Belvedere Vodka and spiced herb syrup. 

Maestro & Co - After exotic and flavoursome Middle eastern dishes, we couldn’t finish an evening out with anything less than the Maestro Marmalade made with rum, rye, ginger and egg white.

Hemingway’s - “Write drunk, edit sober.” So goes the famous quote that Hemingway actually never said. He might have been inspired, however, with a bittersweet Hemingway’s Espresso Martini.

Havana Beach - This Cuban inspired bar makes mojitos the classic Cuban way; lime juice, mint, sugar and a splash of something interesting…

The Hold - We love all the pirate-ship-themed cocktail names on the menu here! Try the grapefruit, vodka and lychee martini; it’s appropriately called ‘Down the Hatch’.