A three day weekender for bartenders and the drinks industry.
Save the date
June 14—16,
Adelaide 2026
Bartenders’ Weekender is a three day weekend for bartenders and drinks enthusiasts — and last year’s biggest celebration of bar culture is off to Adelaide for the first time, so save the date.
The Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala
Who are the 100 people shaping drinks culture in Australia in 2026?
The Drinks 100 Australia returns to celebrate the 100 people shaping the drinks culture in Australia right now, presented by Bartenders’ Weekender and Boothby.
The Drinks 100 Australia celebrates the creative and delicious work of the distillers, operators, bartenders, communicators, designers, and ambassadors who make the Australian scene one of the world’s best.
How it works.
Thursday 5 March. Nominations are open now. In the form, nominate people in as many categories as you like — one nomination is all that is required for that person to be considered by the expert panel in the following voting round. Self-nominations are encouraged. Multiple nominations for one candidate will have no impact on whether they are selected in the next round. Nominations close Tuesday 31 March.
Wednesday 31 March. The expert panel voting round begins. The panel will review the nominations in each category and make their selections of who they think are most worthy of recognition. The expert panel voting round closes on Tuesday 21 April.
These votes determine the finalists in each category. The finalists will be revealed on Monday 27 April on Boothby and social media.
The winners are revealed at the black tie Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala on Tuesday 16 June at the Bartenders’ Weekender in Adelaide.
Important dates.
Thursday 5 March: nominations open.
Tuesday 31 March: nominations close.
Wednesday 1 April: expert panel voting begins.
Tuesday 21 April: expert panel voting finishes.
Monday 27 April: awards category finalists announced via Boothby and social media. Invites to the Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala sent out.
Tuesday 16 June: the Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala takes place.
Timetable
Day One
Sunday 14 June
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MONIN welcomes the Bartenders’ Weekender Scholarship alumni to a brunch, opening the weekend with amazing food, liquid and hospitality. A great chance for the crew to get to know each other and form a foundation before heading off into the weekend with a sense of community and pride. Gifts in tow.
RSVP: Invite only
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Take The Scenic Route with Never Never and start your Adelaide Bartenders’ Weekender off in the best possible way as guests of the Never Never team. After arriving at Adelaide Airport you will be collected by our friends from Strangelove and whisked to off to beautiful McLaren Vale to visit Australia’s best distillery bar for an unforgettable experience.
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Take The Scenic Route with Never Never and start your Adelaide Bartenders’ Weekender off in the best possible way as guests of the Never Never team. After arriving at Adelaide Airport you will be collected by our friends from Strangelove and whisked to off to beautiful McLaren Vale to visit Australia’s best distillery bar for an unforgettable experience.
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More information to come.
Where: Latteria, 185 Hutt Street, Adelaide
RSVP: TBC
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Bartenders all have unique creativity and talent that deserves to be showcased and celebrated. Club Suntory kick-starts the Weekender, inviting you to have a selection of quality, candid portraits captured by New York Times and Vogue Australia photographer, Oli Sansom.
Where: TBC
RSVP: Sign-up to Club Suntory and register to guarantee your spot — Sign-up to Club Suntory and register to guarantee your spot - https://club.suntory.com/en-au/events/bartender-weekender-2026
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: Invite Only
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More details to come.
Where: Oddio Bowden, 31 Drayton St, Adelaide
More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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The team behind Sydney CBD Double-Act Old Loves and Old Mates Placeare bringing a piece of Clarence Street to SA with a two-headed takeover of both levels of Hains & Co and Ralph Louis Frederick, transforming it into The House of Deliciousness. Presented byCampari, Angostura.
Sydney stalwart Old Mates Placebrings you Tales of the Flocktail - boasting a New Orleans inspired menu.
Old Loves will be marrying the flavours of the Caribbean with the spirit of the Mediterranean for The Aperetiki Hour or Two - A tropical jaunt through all things delicious Aperotivo and Tiki combined.
Where: Hains & Co, Ralph Louis Frederick, 23 Gilbert Place, Adelaide.
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
Timetable
Day Two
Monday 15 June
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More information to come.
Where: Rhino Room, 131 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Tickets: available soon
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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Bar Leone, the world’s best bar of 2025 will be partnering with Never Never to bring their exceptional cocktails and world class hospitality to Latteria in South Australia. Expect amazing drinks, signature snacks and limited edition merch, all celebrating the relaunch of Never Never’s x Bar Leone collaboration Coffee and Cacao Gin.
More information to come.
Where: Latteria, 185 Hutt Street, Adelaide
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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Adelaide launches the Espolòn Cocktail Fights! Jump into the first wild showdown, with more chaos nationwide and a Mexico trip waiting to crown one absolute legend.
Where: Mary’s Poppin, 5 Synagogue Place, Adelaide
RSVP: via Eventbrite here.
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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After hours, above the city, for those who know exactly where to look.
Where: TBC
RSVP: Invite only. Follow @realgooddrinks for your chance to secure an exclusive invitation.
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8 WA bartenders from Bar Love, Ezra Pound, Mechanics Institute, and The Standard take over Bank Street Social for Adelaide’s first ever WA extravaganza. Delicious drinks and a hell of a party to entice people to visit our little corner of the world and introduce WArm; our grassroots bartenders collaborative and scholarship.
Where: Bank Street Social, 48 Hindley Street, Adelaide
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
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More information to come.
Where: Honeydripper, 11 Frome Street, Adelaide
Timetable
Day Three
Tuesday 16 June
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Hosted by chef Tom Sarafian and Matt Linklater of Zareh in collaboration with Marionette Liqueur, we’ll explore how fruit, nuts and spice build bridges between cultures and generations. A guided tasting with Q&A, snacks, example serves, with Tom and Matt’s favourite records on the stereo - a flavour class exploring how sweetness, acidity, aroma, and nostalgia shape flavour, and how food and drink can speak of distance and belonging.
Where: Honeydripper, 11 Frome Street, Adelaide
RSVP: marionette.com.au/events
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Club Suntory and James B. Beam are hosting you for a long lunch, exploring the beauty of the Seven Year Sweet Spot in American whiskey.
Across four thoughtfully selected drams, we’ll dive into the science of maturation, uncover why seven years is such a compelling age for flavour development, and taste how modern American whiskey cocktails are evolving to include toward lighter, brighter expressions.
Your tasting will be paired with cocktails and a curated menu from the Hellbound team, designed to elevate and complement every pour- and we'll of course have something from rare to share with you!
Where: Hellbound, 2 Hawker Street, Bowden
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Join David Vitale, Carmen Hartwich and friends for an inside look at how Australian red wine barrels and Starward whisky create the ultimate cocktail canvas.
Where: TBC
RSVP: Via Eventbrite here.
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
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This is not a tasting. This is a blending laboratory. Join Master Distiller Chris Thomson and Stuart Gregor from Lark Distillery, alongside Liam Shephard and Stephanie Rainbow from Spirits Academy, for an immersive deep dive into the art of blended malt. Understand the story behind Lark. Step inside the mind of a Master Blender. Break down single casks. Then become the architect of your own 60ml creation.
Highball on arrival.
Single cask exploration.
Live Q and A.
Hands on blending session.
Two blends will be crowned on the day. If flavour drives your craft, this is your room. Limited trade seats available.
Where: Malt and Juniper, 18 Peel Street, Adelaide
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More information to come.
Where: TBC
RSVP: TBC
Accommodation partners
Thanks to our accommodation partners, attendees can take advantage of discounts of between 25% and 30% off the public rates as part of Bartenders’ Weekender. Space is limited — booking ASAP is strongly encouraged.
Sofitel Adelaide
108 Currie St, Adelaide — BOOK HEREWelcome to Sofitel Adelaide where unmistakable French charm meets the eclectic arts of Adelaide. Our plush rooms, award-winning restaurant and stunning lobby bar create havens of pure elegance, imbued with the kindred spirit of wine-loving Bordeaux.
You’ll find us nestled in an enviable CBD location near Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Convention Centre. From here, you’re free to explore the many delights of this dynamic city, filled with art, culture and fine food.
Peppers Weymouth
55 Waymouth St, Adelaide — BOOK HEREPeppers Waymouth Hotel is your luxury hotel with Adelaide at your doorstep. This Adelaide hotel is in a prime position for you to explore the city, and all that it has to offer. Peppers Waymouth offers a choice of rooms and suites all include king beds, as well as marble bathrooms with quality fittings with separate baths and showers. Other facilities within our hotel include 24-hour reception, express checkout, free WiFi, fully equipped gym, indoor heated pool, spa & sauna and high-tech conference facilities. Also featuring Tutto Cucina & Bar for your dining pleasure.
Mantra Hindmarsh Square
55/67 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide — BOOK HERELocated in a peaceful enclave of Adelaide's bustling CBD, Mantra Hindmarsh Square offers quiet seclusion while still being just minutes walk from Rundle Mall, the Rundle Street dining precinct, Sky City Casino, Adelaide Oval and the National Wine Centre of Australia. Mantra Hindmarsh Square's Adelaide hotel boasts 179 spacious apartment-style rooms including Studio and One and Two Bedroom Suites and most offer a private balcony with views overlooking the city or Adelaide Hills. Our all-suite hotel is complemented by a variety of facilities and services including 24 hour reception, DJ's Diner & Bar, 24 hour room service and a fully equipped gymnasium.
Applications for The Scholarship are now closed.
There are 10 scholarships on offer, with eight Australian bartenders, plus one each for bartenders working in Singapore and in New Zealand.
You’ll score return flights to Adelaide, three nights accommodation at the five star Sofitel Adelaide, $500 in spending money, a ticket to the Better Bars Summit presented by Monkey Shoulder, invite to the Boothby Best Bars SA Awards, and a ticket to the rather glam Drinks 100 Australia Awards Gala on the final evening.
Applications closed on Sunday 8 March.
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