Both the Time Out Sydney and Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards will be returning this December to recognise and celebrate the respective cities’ watering holes.
The Sydney event will take place on Sunday 6 December at brand new host venue, Sky Terrace at the Star with categories including: Bar of the Year, Best Bar Food, Best New Bar, Best Cocktail Bar, Best Wine Bar, Best Neighbourhood Bar, Best Party Bar, The Party Starter Award, Best Bartender, Best Bar Team, Hot Talent Award, Legend Award and the People's Choice (open to public vote at timeout.com/sydney).
Now in their eighth year, Time Out Australia CEO Michael Rodrigues said that he was thrilled to be holding this year's Sydney Bar Awards at Sky Terrace.
“Sydney loves a rooftop so it's the perfect spot for a summer party with harbour views and sunset beats,” says Rodrigues.
2015 marks the addition of a new category to the Sydney Awards, The Party Starter, which acknowledges the people who are committed to keeping Sydney's dancefloors alive.
“The lockout laws have been a challenge to Sydney's nightlife, but luckily we have an awesome crop of change-makers dedicated to keeping Sydney open," says Jordan Kretchmer, Time Out Sydney's music and nightlife editor.
"They work hard to make sure Sydneysiders have a reason to dance every weekend and make our music and cultural festivals pop with talent.”
Last year's winning bars included Earl's Juke Joint, Ramblin' Rascal Tavern, Bulletin Place and Papa Gede's.
This year’s fourth annual Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards will also take place at a new host venue, The Mill House in Flinders Lane.
"It's fitting that we celebrate Melbourne's bar scene and cocktail culture at one of the city's most popular new hotspots, the Mill House," says Rodrigues. "This American-themed basement bar will be a perfect spot for the awards with well curated beats and plenty of fun to be had."
Categories for the Melbourne event include: Bar of the Year, Best Bar Food, Best New Bar, Best Cocktail Bar, Best Wine Bar, Best Party Bar, Best Bartender, Best Bar Team, Hot Talent Award, Legend Award and the People's Choice (open to public vote at timeout.com/melbourne).
Winners in last year's awards included the Everleigh, Le Bon Ton, Black Pearl, Bar Americano and Harry & Frankie.
The Time Out Bar Awards are an industry-recognised celebration of talent, voted on by independent editors and reviewers.