The owner of this year’s Cocktail Bar of the Year
It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.
For our 15th instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with the owner of Newcastle’s Cocktail Bar of the Year and one of our city’s top mixologists, Chris Wilson of The Koutetsu.
Chris Wilson
Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?
Prior to opening The Koutetsu nine years ago, I was working at The Prince of Merewether and King Street Hotel in Newcastle.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Thornton before moving to Newcastle when I was 17.
Do you consider yourself more of an early bird or a night owl?
I would consider myself a little bit of both. Working until the early hours of the morning makes me a night owl but I also rise pretty early as well.
What’s your morning ritual?
My morning ritual is to take a shower, read the news online, and have coffee with my wife Sheree. Hang with dogs then head off to work around 9am.
Where’s your late-night hangout spot?
I usually stay home on my nights off but if I finish work early, I head to Coal & Cedar to catch up with those guys and have a quick one before home.
What’s your coffee order?
A large cold brew over ice on warm days or a long black in winter.
Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order off by heart?
Café Pippi under the council building.
Tell me about your biggest career highlight…
Opening my own bar is a huge achievement but I believe my biggest career highlight is still ahead of me!
I was extremely proud when The Koutetsu was nominated for Gin Bar of The Year at the 2022 Bartender Magazine Awards, especially when we don't consider ourselves a dedicated gin bar. However, it shows that we are heading in the right direction with our service, knowledge, and cocktails.
In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?
My three favourite things to do in my spare time is to eat quality food, play golf, and hang out at home.
If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?
To showcase Newcastle to my out-of-town friends I would take them to Harrison's Food & Wine, Flotilla, and of course The Koutetsu.
Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice?
A cocktail or an American Whiskey neat.
On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?
Waking up every day with the support of my wife and family and knowing I'm doing something I genuinely care about for a living. It's long hours, it's giving up weekends and being at work when friends and family are relaxing, but through all that it still makes me happy and makes me smile.
What do you NEVER leave the house without?
I never leave the house without my keys until I do.
We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…
Mockingbird, Little Castro, and Bella Italia.
What are you reading / watching / listening to now?
I’m currently reading Big Whiskey, and I always listen to late 90s early 00s hip hop.
If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?
A short break away from Newcastle usually takes me to Melbourne to visit family and friends while also visiting some of my favourite bars and restaurants.
What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?
I would like to see more small businesses open with passionate people operating them. Newcastle is an amazing place to live, and we have incredible chefs, bartenders, and hospitality professionals that can share that with their guests.
Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL?
I have a lot of respect and admiration for Chris Schofield from Nagisa. The man is a genius.
