NEWS
ONE OF WORLD’S TOP RANKED BARS TO OPEN WITHIN SYDNEY HOTEL Sydney’s Dolphin Hotel will become the permanent new home of leading London cocktail bar, Scout. European Bartender of the Year, Matt Whiley (aka The Talented Mr Fox) and Icebergs’ Maurice Terzini are combining to launch the new bar within the pub’s Surry Hills home on Crown Street. The new opening will be the first international foray for Scout, which reached number 26 in the 50 World’s Best Bars list 2018. Slated to open on 28 February, the new ‘bar within a pub’ concept within the hotel’s top floor will have its own entrance and distinct design, but will further blur the lines between ‘pub’, ‘bar’ and ‘restaurant’. The drinks program will feature 10 cocktails, a number of them incorporating Whiley’s ferments, six beers, four wines and some small plates created in collaboration with Icebergs and The Dolphin Hotel’s head chef Monty Koludrovic. “There’s a lot of brilliant Australian produce. I want to focus on who produces it, work with the native products and be respectful of the land that gives us our food. I also want to have fun – after all that is what a bar is all about,” says Whiley. “The progression of The Dolphin and its people is one of the most exciting things I’ve been a part of over the last decade,” says Koludrovic. “To now develop a whole new offering with such a champion, and someone of Matt’s calibre is incredible.”
ROCKIN THE PUBURBS WINNER REVEALS NSW PUBS TOUR Winner of the 2018 AHA NSW Rockin’ the Puburbs competition, Spruced Moose, reveals six-date pub tour at six AHA member venues in Sydney, Newcastle and the Illawarra. Spruced Moose, from Sydney’s Inner West, last year beat just shy of 200 other acts in the second year of the AHA NSW’s competition in 2018. AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the competition is all about supporting live music in pubs. “Many of Australia’s top music acts first got their start down at their local and the aim of Rockin’ the Puburbs is to support local music talent and give them a leg up in the industry,” he said. As part of the winner’s package the band received support of up to $12,000 towards a pub tour of AHA NSW venues, as well as a dedicated tour publicist and other prizes. Spruced Moose keyboard player
Scout’s Matt Whiley (l) and Dolphin Hotel head chef Monty Koludrovic (r)
AHA NATIONAL CEO STEPHEN FERGUSON EXTENDS CONTRACT The tour will start at Dicey Riley’s, Wollongong Nigel Malcolm said the band was looking forward to touring and had released a single titled: Ones Who Fly to coincide with it. “We are excited to be playing in great pubs where so many bands got a start,” said Malcom. Details of the 2019 AHA NSW Rockin’ the Puburbs contest – also backed by APRA AMCOS, Music NSW and Young Henry’s – will be announced later in the year.
COMPLETE TOUR DATES: 9th March – Dicey Riley’s, Wollongong 15th March – The Bayview, Woy Woy 17th March – Lone Pine Tavern 21st March – Newcastle Hotel 23rd March – Shoal Bay Country Club 24th March – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
8 | MARCH 2019 AUSTRALIAN HOTELIER
Current AHA CEO Stephen Ferguson has agreed to extend his contract for another five years. Ferguson joined the AHA in January 2014 and continues to be responsible for representing the nation’s 5,000 hoteliers, as AHA National CEO Stephen well as their partners and industry suppliers, Ferguson will remain with the at the highest levels. AHA until at least 2023 AHA National President Scott Leach said Ferguson had made a real difference to the Association across areas including workplace relations, tourism, taxation, competition, gaming and alcohol policies. “Stephen has proven to be dynamic in his role and I welcome the extension of his contract for another five years,” Mr Leach said at today’s national board meeting in Canberra. “He is a person of the highest personal integrity and an extremely effective operator, able to deal with politicians of all stripes on a regular basis. On behalf of the board I congratulate him on his reappointment.” Ferguson said he was delighted to continue in his role. “I have certainly enjoyed my time at the AHA – there’s no doubt the hotel industry is the best in the nation – and I look forward to continuing to work hard on behalf of members over the next five years,” he said. “I’m proud to represent a diverse industry with members stretching from the city to the bush and employing more than 200,000 hardworking Australians.” Ferguson was previously CEO of the Brisbane Racing Club.