Considering how a lot of other cocktail capitals have been affected by the pandemic, you would have to say that Sydney is pretty lucky. But although our bars are open, with restrictions, that doesn’t mean that the public is easily giving up the stay-at-home mindset that has developed over the last year.

With all the bottled cocktails, canned cocktails, take-way offerings and at home masterclasses, it’s easy to forget that Sydney not only has world-class bars but also world-class drinks that are crying out for attention.

So Sydney’s iconic Opera Bar, in collaboration with Bacardi Martini Australia, thought hey would not only throw a spotlight on our wonderful Harbourside location but also some of the best bars the city has to offer.

Located right on the harbour’s edge with easy views of the opera house and the Bridge, Opera Bar is set to host the inaugural Sydney Cocktail Festival – a three-day celebration of our incredible city, the incredible talent found in our small bars and the incredible cocktails they create.

“It’s been a challenging year for everyone in hospitality, so Opera Bar wanted to give some of our city’s best small bars a harbourfront stage for a weekend,” said Opera Bar’s beverage manager, Steve Davis. “We’re so lucky to have an incredible cocktail scene in Sydney and this is a rare chance to see these bars and bartenders in one place – we can’t wait!”

Bartenders from 10 of Sydney’s most innovative cocktail bars, including PS40, Double Deuce Lounge, Burrow Bar, Double Deuce and Old Mate’s Place, will do a take over like you’ve never seen.

The three days – Friday 13 through to Sunday 15 November – will be divided into five sessions each featuring four different bars and their best and brightest. each bar will offer two cocktails (made with spirits from the Bacardi range) that include a signature drink as well as an exclusive creation available just for the Sydney Cocktail Festival.

Tickets include three cocktails, or six half serves for those who just can’t choose. So, sip summer with a ‘Mango Weis Bar daiquiri’ by the Jacoby’s Tiki Bar team or a ‘Melody’ by Old Mate’s Place. Get your dose of greens with Rosenbaum & Fuller’s ‘Leafy Greens’ cocktail (42 Below vodka, olive leaf, vermouth, green apple and fennel honey) or savour the ‘Rock ‘n’ Pop’ from Burrow Bar (Patrón Silver tequila, chamomile, Martini Bianco, manzanilla sherry, rockmelon, soda).

Cocktails are not the only thing getting mixed over the weekend, as a series of DJs including The Dark Horse and Amy Chase hit the decks. Bacardi Martini Australia also takes over a space at Opera Bar to host drinks tastings and showcase new products with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.

Sydney Cocktail Festival at Opera Bar schedule:

Session one: Friday 13 November, 6pm-9pm

• Grandma’s – Jono Carr
• Burrow Bar – Chau Tran and Bryce McDonough
• Old Mate’s Place – Daniel Noble and Dre Walters
• Door Knock – Natalie Ng

Session two: Saturday 14 November, 1pm-4pm

• The Roosevelt – Benjamin Hickey
• Jacoby’s Tiki Bar – Adrian Sanchez
• Mjølner – Sofia Serje
• Grandma’s – Jono Carr

Session three: Saturday 14 November, 5pm-8pm

• Jacoby’s Tiki Bar – Adrian Sanchez
• Mjølner – Sofia Serje
• Old Mate’s Place – Daniel Noble and Dre Walters
• Burrow Bar – Chau Tran and Bryce McDonough

Session four: Sunday 15 November, 1pm-4pm

• PS40 – Michael Chiem
• Double Deuce Lounge – Cosmo Soto and Olly Churcher
• Rosembaum & Fuller – Lee Potter Cavanagh
• Door Knock – Natalie Ng

Session five: Sunday 15 November, 5pm-8pm

• Double Deuce Lounge – Cosmo Soto and Olly Churcher
• Rosembaum & Fuller – Lee Potter Cavanagh
• The Roosevelt – Benjamin Hickey
• PS40 – Michael Chiem

Tickets and tables are now open for bookings via operabar.com.au. Ticket includes 6 x half cocktail serves or 3 x full cocktails

Tables must be booked as a minimum of two, with configurations of four, six, and eight also available. This is a seated event

There will be tickets for walk-ins so if sold out online, they can be purchased on the day at Opera Bar.