COCKTAILS
Harpoon Harry in Sydney’s CBD
Shaking things up As restrictions ease across the country, cocktail experiences have the potential to draw more guests back into your pub. Brydie Allen reports. THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 pandemic,
to hold one person per four square metres
The Cauliflower Hotel, where the offering
consumers sure have missed going to the
and up to 300 guests total, cocktails
includes a rooftop cocktail bar called The
pub, and everything that encompasses.
have been found to be a huge drawcard
Forgotten Cask. Pippi Drew, who owns
for pubs. According to Charlie Walker,
the venue with husband Justin, said the
hit the town has made many consumers
bar manager at Hotel Harry’s public bar
consumer search for great experiences
value going out more than they did pre-
component Harpoon Harry, cocktails
has continued ever since restrictions
pandemic. So when they do go out, more
encourage more people to come out
began easing, whether that be in food
than ever they’re hungry for excitement
because they cater to the needs of the
or drink.
and for experiences they wouldn’t get
COVID-19 consumer.
Being in lockdown without the ability to
at home. A key opportunity for pubs to create
“If anything, cocktails are far more
“I think after lockdown, people definitely are excited,” Drew said.
important than before the lockdown. As
“Obviously if you’ve been locked up
these experiences can be found in
you can imagine our cocktail sales have
for a while, people like coming out and
cocktails. Much like how restaurants draw
had a steep increase post lockdown,”
being waited on while enjoying their
people with food they wouldn’t or couldn’t
Walker told Australian Hotelier.
favorite drinks.”
make at home, cocktails can help pubs
“COVID has people stressed
Looking at how Sydney venues are
draw more guests by offering something
constantly… Cocktails ooze good vibes
embracing the value of the cocktail and
different and unique.
and happiness and that’s what we want
its role in the recovery effort of 2020, the
now more than ever.”
importance of a well positioned cocktail
In Sydney, where at the time of writing restrictions have eased enough for venues
18 | Australian Hotelier
A boost in sales has also been noted at
offering becomes clear.