A perfectly balanced dry martini; a creative cocktail that takes you by surprise; a drink concocted just for you. We wouldn’t have these memorable moments in our favourite bars without the bartenders whose job it is to craft them.

Bartender of the Year is as much about the accolades, knowledge, and talent, as it is the genuine sense of curiosity and care that sees a mixologist at the forefront of Newcastle’s bar scene.

Their CV will set the scene, and be backed up with an ability to craft consistently outstanding, layered, and complex cocktails. 

Bartender of the Year award celebrates an individual who’s made their mark in the Newcastle bar industry, and isn’t slowing down any time soon.

The 2024 Bar Awards finalists have been announced and this year's Bartender of the Year finalists are:

- Bartholomew's | Ryan Duck
- The Falcon | Sven Bernard
- The Koutetsu | Chris Wilson
- The Koutetsu | George Prokop
- The Underground | Max Kelly

We now hand the difficult task of deciding who the winners are over to our esteemed judges. The winners will be revealed on August 5 at the Bar Awards event.

Here are your Bartender of the Year nominees:

- Bar Romeo | Harry Chivas
- Bar Romeo | Kendall Marjorbanks
- Bar Romeo | Mitchell Taylor
- Bartholomew's | Ryan Duck
- Battlesticks Bar | Cooper Tegg
- Bernie's Bar | Nathan Siudek
- Bernie’s Bar | Dominic Vun
- Bernie’s Bar | Kitt Niss
- Blue Kahunas | Alex Lowe
- Blue Kahunas | Toby Zeuschner
- The Bogey Hole on Darby | Samuel Redgrove
- Calamari Kitchen and Bar | Darcy Proctor
- Casa Nova Honeysuckle | Lalit Tamang
- Castle Del Mar | Elijah Thompson
- Coal & Cedar | Sol Johnston
- Coal & Cedar | Reeve Leonard
- Coal & Cedar | Robert Lewis (Bob)
- Coal & Cedar | Ryan Hawthorne
- Coal & Cedar | Sean Gaddes
- Customs House Hotel | Sam Kamper
- Customs House Hotel | Dakina Bonney Atkins
- Earp Distilling Co. | Jacob Flynn
- Earp Distilling Co. / The Prince of Merewether | Jake Blenman
- The Edwards | Miles Mossman
- The Falcon | Sven Bernard
- The Grain Store | Alex Livingston
- The Grain Store | Alyse Collopy
- Good Folk Brewing | Jake Spicer
- Granddad's Bar | Hunter Blunden
- The Hamilton Station Hotel | Deepak Shrestha
- The Happy Wombat | Jodie Manning
- The Koutetsu | Chris Wilson
- The Koutetsu | George Prokop
- The Lost Souls | Mary johnson
- The Lucky Hotel | Nicholas Heckenberg
- Mad Poet | Dylan Oakes
- MEET | Pete Williams
- Method Brewery | Jake Smith
- Method Brewing | Gavin Mckenzie
- Modus Merewether | Alexandra Pedersen
- Modus Merewether | Jimmy (James) Carathanassis
- Modus Merewether | Luke Revell
- Modus Merewether | Maise Stone
- Nagisa | Yohei Namba
- Oh My Papa | Pattarapong Subanapas
- Peregrin Merewether | Dan Willings
- The Rogue Scholar | Adam Hardy
- The Rogue Scholar | Lydia Scholey
- Romberg's Crystalbrook | Caitlin Pearce
- Rooftop at QT | David Watkins
- The Royal Oak Hotel | Marty Cooke
- Rustica Newcastle Beach | Flynn Hosie
- Shout Brewing | Gus Engler
- The Stag & Hunter Hotel | Braidon Ewing
- Sydney Junction Hotel | Noah Haynes
- The Underground | Max Kelly
- Thynk Cafe + Bar | Lachlan Cairns
- Uptowns Bar | Tyla Laidlaw
- Vecina | Maris Liversage

* This award is open to all bartenders who are working in a venue that is located within the Newcastle LGA.