The Barber Shop, Sydney CBD

The Barber Shop is yet another small bar on York Street in the Sydney CBD. Unlike a few of the other small bars, this one isn’t hidden. You just have to walk through a barber shop and up the stairs at the back to enter into the bar.

I visited The Barber Shop last week for the first time to have a peek at the Australian finals of the Global Bartender Competition sponsored by Beefeater 24 Gin.

There were 12 finalists competing in the Australian finals and each of them had to create a classic cocktail using Beefeater Dry and then add a modern twist using Beefeater 24.  It was interesting to see what the bartenders came up with and to hear about how they created the cocktails. The prize was a trip to London for the chance to compete in the global final.  The global winner then gets an all expenses paid trip to Japan!  Not too shabby at all.

There was a selection of hams and cheeses which appeared to be straight from The Barber Shop’s regular nibbles menu and served on cute boards with sliced bread in buckets.  I ate a lot of cheese that night!

Is it just me, or are there more small bars along York Street than anywhere else in Sydney?  I’m not complaining, I really like small bars, especially if they are full of character like this one. 

The Food Book attended the Global Bartender Competition as a guest of Cav Con. and The Barber Shop.