The bar takeovers that should be on your radar next month

Whether you’re hosting a guest shift or heading interstate for a one-night-only experience, bar takeovers play a strategic role in building national presence, developing team talent and staying front-of-mind in a competitive bar scene.

With that in mind, next month’s calendar is one to pay attention to, and Bars and Clubs has rounded up some of the top bar takeovers happening around the country.

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Melbourne: Leah Dunnigan x Whisky & Alement

Award-winning bartender Leah Dunnigan will visit Melbourne for a one-off cocktail pop-up and party at Whisky & Alement on Monday 19 May. In partnership with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) Australia, the Savile Row Bar Manager will serve up four unique cocktails each featuring whiskies of different cask strength.

Leah told Bars and Clubs: “This takeover is going to be super special; we are highlighting how such complex and high-quality spirits from SMWS can still be so versatile and delicious in a variety of formats. Whisky is absolutely a spirit for everyone, there is no wrong way to drink it – the best way is however you enjoy it the most.

“This takeover is absolutely going to showcase the incredible things you can do to enhance and highlight the flavours of whisky, there will absolutely be a drink for everyone and it’s even more wonderful doing it in such an awarded venue. Also made with a lot of love, respect and a bunch of pizazz from yours truly.”

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Hobart: Sorry Not Sorry x Rude Boy

After embarking on their first national bar takeover tour, the Sorry Not Sorry collective are calling on the support of Hobart as they raise funds for mounting legal fees in proceedings against their ex employer.

Having already visited some of the most esteemed venues in Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, Hobart’s Rude Boy is the next port of call on Thursday 8 May and an opportunity for the collective to continue their advocacy for a safer hospitality industry.

Alex Hooker, Co-founder of Sorry Not Sorry, says: “When you show up to a Sorry Not Sorry takeover, from the minute you walk through the door you are immediately welcomed into a safe space. You can get a delicious cocktail served to you the same way a bartender at one of the World’s 50 Best Bars would serve it to you, you’ll see some outrageous performances from Queer artists/community, and you will leave knowing that you gave your money to a good cause. What’s not to love?”

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Perth: Hanky Panky Lounge x Bar Love

Travelling from Hanky Panky Lounge in Darwin down to Bar Love in Perth, Anneliese Grazioli and Joey Folkersma will be serving up a selection of cocktails featuring Monkey Shoulder on Monday 5 May.

Anneliese told Bars and Clubs: “Joey and I are very excited to be heading to the deep west to bring a little Hanky Panky to Bar Love. Thanks to Rachael and Monkey Shoulder we have been challenged to create a Monkey Shoulder drink inspired by Golden Gaytimes ice creams. The drink is delicious, but we are keen to bring some Darwin and Hanky Panky Lounge vibes to Perth and just have a wonderful time with the Bar Love team.”

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Sydney: Apollonia x PS40

Yesterday, Jair Torres, Chef de Cuisine at House Made Hospitality restaurant Grana, and Swapnadeep ‘Swappy’ Das, Pastry Chef at Hinchcliffe House, stepped into the kitchen at Sydney’s PS40, and the pair are set to return for another PS40 x Apollonia takeover on Tuesday 6 May.

Jair’s menu brings his Peruvian roots and Italian finesse to the creative cocktail bar with dishes like salmon ceviche, cucumber, avocado mousse and sweetcorn; smoked raw beef, black garlic sour cream, pickled onions and pasta fritta; and ricotta potato gnocchi, caper gremolata and porcini butter.

On the sweeter side, desserts from Swappy include zepple donut, stracchino, pecorino, extra virgin olive oil; and rocher choux, hazelnut, coco pops and 58 per cent oricao chocolate, all enjoyed with PS40’s signature cocktails.