Sydney Bartender Jake Down From Pleasure Club Has Just Been Crowned Australia's Best for 2024
Sydney, Perth and Hobart were all represented in Australia's Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year showdown, but only the Harbour City came out on top.
Which Australian city has the best steak joints? Which boasts the top restaurants in general? Which is considered the ideal place to live? May 2024 has delivered new answers to all of these questions (more fuel for interstate rivalries, too), and it has just dropped another handy tidbit: the home of Australia's best bartender for this year.
Global bartending competition Diageo World Class shows Aussie talents some love in a couple of ways, including via its Bartender of the Year Australia award — and, after a fierce contest showcasing exceptional mixology, we have a winner. Earning the coveted title this year is Sydney bartender Jake Down from Pleasure Club, one of three Harbour City folks competing in the showdown.
In the pool of six bartenders, Perth and Hobart were each represented, too (sorry other Australian cities). Down, Merivale's James Irvine and The Waratah's Tom Opie faced off against each other, and also against Matt Bodycote from State Buildings in Perth, Shirley Yeung from Foxtrot Hospitality Group in Perth and Rohan Massie from Rude Boy in Hobart.
Held in Sydney on Monday, May 27, the final stage of the annual drinks competition saw the six Aussie finalists battle it out behind the bar, showing off their skills across three challenges. One had them coming up with new options for traditional whisky serves, working with Johnnie Walker, Talisker and The Singleton. The next involved taking inspiration from their favourite bars while heroing Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. Then, a speed task involving making six classic cocktail serves in six minutes rounded out the contest.
Down, whose resume locally and internationally also includes This Must Be the Place, Scout London, Re and Housemade Hospitality, now has a chance to score some more kudos at the global finals in September. He'll shake and stir up a storm alongside 50-plus other international hopefuls in a bid to be named World Class Global Bartender of the Year.
"The competition has exposed me to some of the best bartenders in the industry, allowing me to learn and grow alongside incredible talent," said Down about his win.
"I'm honoured to be part of our incredible hospitality community and I can't wait to represent Australia in September at the global finals."
Pleasure Club, Parker Blain.
The Waratah, Jason Loucas.
For more information about the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition and Diageo World Class in general, head to the Diageo Bar Academy website.
