Old Young’s unveils Cathedral of Gin plans
This morning, Old Young’s Distillery has officially unveiled its plans for its new Western Australian venue, the Cathedral of Gin. Designed with the objective of becoming a world-class tourism magnet, the new site is complete with accommodation, immersive gin experiences, event spaces, dining and tasting rooms, and a secret bar.
“We’ve designed Old Young’s new distillery to be an architectural triumph that inspires gin lovers to make pilgrimages from around the world,” said James Young, Founder and CEO.
“We don’t believe in doing things half-arsed, and building history means being ambitious and dare we say, audacious. So, we went out to some of the world’s best architects, from Hamburg to Hobart and the design from Cumulus just took our breath away.”
According to Young, the Cathedral of Gin takes inspiration from the d’Arenberg Cube, which boosted McLaren Vale tourism by 140% in its debut year.
“We sought inspiration from all over the world but understand that many people will compare our Cathedral of Gin with Chester Osborn’s iconic d’Arenberg Cube: this structure was at first deemed ‘outlandish’ and ‘ridiculous’ but has since achieved worldwide acclaim,” he said.
“We hope to mirror its success, which saw the number of day trippers to McLaren Vale rise from 130,000 in 2015 to 351,000 in a year. The d’Arenberg winery itself ballooned from 50,000 visitors per year before the Cube opened to a whopping 250,000 people per year after – that’s a 500% increase.
“We’re confident our new home will see similar numbers and proudly put the Swan Valley on every gin-lover’s itinerary.”
Old Young’s Distillery has launched an equity crowdfunding to help raise money for the new venue. To learn more about investment opportunities, click here.
Buckle Cafe Distillery launches in Artarmon
Buckle Cafe Distillery - a 150 seat venue and craft distillery - has opened in a heritage-listed building in Artarmon, Sydney, as the first half of the dual-venue Buckle + Depot.
“We wanted to create a venue that seamlessly connects cafe and cocktail culture, where anyone can come to pause or play,” said General Manager James Peters & Executive Chef Johnny Sercombe in a joint statement.
“This is something we’ve injected into every aspect of the venue from the interiors to the menu. We really wanted a transformative space – something that offered one thing by day, another by night and a bit of both in between, depending on the experience customers want.”
Buckle derives its name from the architect Frank Buckle, who constructed the heritage building that Buckle Cafe & Distillery sits alongside. Taking centre stage is a 150 litre copper pot still that will be commissioned to distil whisky, gin, and vodka.
Additionally, a cocktail list has been crafted by James Peters and a brunch and 12pm to dinner menu has been curated by Johnny Sercombe.
Buckle Cafe Distillery is located at 1 Frederick St, Artarmon NSW 2064, and is open seven days a week. Sister venue and bistro Depot Brewery is expected to open its doors in roughly a month’s time in late November. To learn more, visit bucklecd.au.
JŌJI Sydney
Tomorrow, the ESCA Group will open its latest Sydney venture and first bar, a Japanese-themed rooftop bar named JŌJI. The 310 square metre space includes a cocktail lounge, dining space, and a terrace with panoramic CBD views, and offers a lively cocktail menu and reimagined Japanese-inspired dishes.
“We’re excited to venture into a new space and finally open our first bar after three years in the making,” said Ibby Moubadder, Co-Founder of the ESCA Group.
“We have put our heart and soul into this venue so I can’t wait for Sydney to experience what we have created - a place where everyone is welcome to enjoy delicious food, world class cocktails, and listen to some of the best music the city has to offer.”
According to Kerry Burgess, ESCA Group Bar Manager, the cocktail menu has been inspired by a creative harmony of Shibui (simplicity), Wabi Sabi (imperfection), and Datsuzoku (creativity).
“Our cocktail philosophy at JŌJI is rooted in these principles where we honour tradition but aren't afraid to experiment with ingredients and flavour pairings that challenge the ordinary,” she said.
The food menu has been divided into three sections: Raw, Not Raw, and Robata.
“We’ve designed the menu to be versatile, and utterly delicious, so whether guests are dropping in for a light snack, a full meal, or a late-night bite, JŌJI offers something that fits every occasion,” said Paul Farag, Group Executive Chef.
“It’s about creating a space where you can come for any event, any kind of outing, and feel at home.”
JŌJI will officially open at Level 5, 388 George Street, Sydney, 2000, tomorrow 31 October.
Yogi’s Sports Bar opens on Sydney’s North Shore
Opening late November in Chatswood, Sydney, Yogi’s Sports Bar is a 300 capacity venue that seeks to offer a modern take on a classic American sports bar. Included in the venue is an array of big-screen TVs for live sports events, a dedicated arcade game area, private booths, and a mezzanine level which can be reserved for private events.
"Yogi’s Sports Bar is set to bring an energetic and exciting atmosphere to the North Shore hospitality scene,” said John Tully, Director of Tully Heard Consulting, creators of Yogi’s Sports Bar along with The Greens in North Sydney and The Fernery in Mosman.
“Tapping into the global trend of younger markets seeking more experience-based outings, Yogi’s offers the perfect blend of great food, drinks, and immersive sports entertainment - creating a vibrant destination where fans can fully engage in the excitement of live sports.”
The Boathouse North Wollongong
On 18 October, The Boathouse Group launched its first NSW South Coast venue: The Boathouse North Wollongong. Located on the top level of the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, the beachside venue includes a bistro and casual, pub-style offering in the bar.
“We are excited to announce a new chapter, and the South Coast felt like a natural choice, with its stunning beaches, vibrant local culture and growing tourism, said Antony Jones, Group CEO.
“We wanted to create a venue that feels like a perfect fit for this community, while also offering something new and exciting, whether you’re a local popping in for a casual drink with friends or someone travelling to explore the area.”
The Boathouse North Wollongong is open now at 1A Cliff Road, 2500, and is open seven days a week 11:30am until late.
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