Shaken, stirred and seriously competitive: Manly’s best bartenders battle it out
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
There are worse ways a girl could spend an evening than sitting in a Manly bar drinking cocktails in the name of professional responsibility.
Last weekend, some of the Northern Beaches’ best bartenders came together at Banco on Whistler Street for the Northern Beaches Classic, a cocktail competition hosted by Manly Spirits that put local talent, creativity and, naturally, some very good drinks firmly in the spotlight. I was invited along as a guest judge, and while I’d like to say it was my extensive knowledge of mixology that secured me the position, the brief was reassuringly simple: no cocktail judging experience necessary, just an enthusiasm for drinking them. I can think of worse jobs.
The premise was fairly simple. Six bartenders, six signature cocktails and six minutes each to convince a judging panel that theirs deserved to take out the title. Each bartender was tasked with creating an original cocktail using Manly Spirits, before presenting the drink and sharing the story behind its ingredients, inspiration and creation.
As a brand specialist, I'd convinced myself an afternoon spent judging cocktails would be all about the drinks. Cue Afternoon Delight playing somewhere in the background. What I didn't expect was to find myself judging far more than what was in the glass. Each bartender had just six minutes to present their creation, and every drink came with a story that made it memorable. Whether inspired by a neighbour's beehive, treasured family memories from England or an inside joke with a loved one, every cocktail reflected the personality of its creator. It was a reminder that great brands, like great cocktails, are built on authenticity and emotional connection. By the end, we weren't simply judging taste; we were judging the passion, creativity and story poured into every glass.
Of course, once things got underway, it became clear there was a lot more to it than simply deciding whether something tasted good. The drinks were judged across a range of criteria, from presentation and balance to creativity, technique and the story behind the cocktail. With just six minutes to create an impression, each bartender had to bring a little theatre to the table too.
It was also a reminder of just how much talent exists behind the bars of the Northern Beaches. These weren't simply drinks being poured and garnished; every cocktail had been thoughtfully crafted, with ingredients chosen for a reason and each bartender bringing their own personality and style to the glass. There was even a touch of Cocktail-era Tom Cruise about the evening, with flair, theatre and plenty of entertainment behind the bar.
In the end, it was the skills of Tyler from Cibaria Manly who impressed the judges enough to take out the competition with his winning creation, beating a talented field of local bartenders and earning bragging rights in an industry where crafting a truly memorable cocktail is becoming something of an art form.
It's perhaps no surprise. Led by renowned restaurateur Alessandro Pavoni and Executive Chef Gianmarco Pardini, Cibaria Manly has quickly become a standout on Sydney's dining scene, making Tyler's victory all the more fitting.
The competition was deliberately small and local, something Manly Spirits describes as a community initiative created in collaboration with the Northern Beaches hospitality industry. Rather than feeling like an overly polished corporate event, it was a chance to bring together the people who actually make the local bar scene what it is, give them a little creative freedom and see what happened when you added some friendly competition and a few bottles of locally made spirits.
For Manly Spirits, it's part of a much bigger love affair with the Northern Beaches. Founded and distilled locally in Brookvale, the brand has built its identity around the coastline, producing spirits including its much-loved Lilly Pilly Pink Gin and Coastal Stone whisky.
That connection to the local community has now extended beyond the distillery itself with Lilly's Bar, the cocktail and music space tucked inside Manly Spirits' Brookvale home. Named after its Lilly Pilly Pink Gin, Lilly's is a little darker and moodier than you might expect to find behind the doors of a working distillery, with barrels, cocktails, DJs, live music and a gin garden that takes things from late afternoon well into the evening.
Its weekly line-up includes Dirty Thursdays, Aperitivo Fridays and Spritz Sundays, reflecting a simple idea: to give the Northern Beaches the kind of venue where you can enjoy exceptional cocktails, good food and live music, and happily linger long after dinner without crossing the Spit. You can read our full review here.
And if the Northern Beaches Classic was anything to go by, there's certainly no shortage of local bartending talent to keep those cocktails interesting.
As for judging them? Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody had to do it.
@kateheussler @manlyspirits @banco.manly @cibariamanly
About the contributor: Kate Heussler is a Northern Beaches local, model coach, brand strategist and entrepreneur. Passionate about fashion, food, travel and the people behind local businesses, she'll be sharing regular features showcasing the very best of the Northern Beaches community.
Follow Kate on Instagram: @kateheussler or visit her website at www.kateheussler.com
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