“The Australian drinks industry has a busy spring ahead, with a packed calendar of trade tastings, educational sessions, awards, festivals and industry campaigns. From major free trade tastings to scholarships and competition entry deadlines, here are some of the key upcoming opportunities in the Australian drinks calendar.”

“Spring is here, and Sydney is making the most of it. From colourful kites soaring over Bondi to world-class theatre and major art exhibitions, there’s plenty to get out and enjoy this weekend. Culture vultures have plenty to get excited about this weekend, with the Sydney Fringe Festival bringing its wonderfully eclectic mix of comedy, music and visual arts to venues across the city. In theatre headlines, My Fair Lady opens at the Sydney Opera House this week, celebrating 70 years since its Broadway debut. CURRENT by Sydney Dance Company also continues its run, whereas Velvet Inferno comes to a close on Sunday.”

“The finalists in the pub categories of the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIA) are now revealed following a record number of votes being cast for this year’s awards. The process for naming the ALIA winners comes in two stages. Firstly, we ask the industry to vote for their favourite people, places and products across all the award categories – this gives us the finalists that are listed below. For the second phase of the process we send these finalists to our judging panel who will choose their top three in each category to give us our winners – subject to those votes being audited by Quantaco.”

“The votes have been cast, counted and sorted and so now we can reveal the finalists in the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards. Once again a huge thanks goes to all those who voted for the favourite people, places and products to give us the finalists for this year’s awards. The Australian hospitality industry’s night of nights takes place at The Fullerton Sydney on Wednesday, 28 October.”

“Taste your way through the MUCHO Tequila and Mezcal Festival. MUCHO Tequila & Mezcal Festival returns to Centro 86 on Sunday 13 September, bringing together more than 30 producers from across Mexico for an afternoon dedicated to tequila, mezcal and the wider world of agave. It’s put together by the team behind Centro 86’s tequila back bar and Cantina OK!’s mezcal program, with standout names on the lineup including Herradura, Cascahuín, Los Siete Misterios and La Venenosa.”

“The votes have been cast, counted and sorted and so now we can reveal the finalists in the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards. Once again a huge thanks goes to all those who voted for the favourite people, places and products to give us the finalists for this year’s awards. The Australian hospitality industry’s night of nights takes place at The Fullerton Sydney on Wednesday, 28 October.”

“Today is World Tequila Day, and if you’ve only ever experienced tequila in a Margarita, Mucho Group is offering the perfect excuse to dig a little deeper. Across Super 44, Cantina OK!, Centro 86 and Tio’s, the group has assembled what it believes is Australia’s most diverse collection of agave spirits. And if all that talk of tequila leaves you inspired, we’ve also included a recipe created by Jeremy Blackmore Creative Director of Mucho Group at the end of this story.”

“Ahead of World Tequila Day on Friday 24 July, Mucho Group is drawing attention to what it believes to be Australia’s most diverse tequila and mezcal selection across its four agave-driven cocktail bars in Sydney.”

“Ahead of World Tequila Day on Friday 24 July, Mucho Group is drawing attention to what it believes to be Australia’s most diverse tequila and mezcal selection across its four agave-driven cocktail bars in Sydney.”

“The Mucho Group owns a trio of terrific Margarita joints – Centro 86, Cantina OK and Tio’s – so it’s no secret the team knows how to make a good Marg. During Broadsheet’s Dine Out festival, the Tio’s team is super-sizing the drink. Enter the Mega Pickle Margarita. The drink is salty and savoury. It’s briney, moreish and perfectly silly.”

“Eat popcorn at any Mucho bar and you could find one of five $1000 vouchers to spend at the group’s venues. It’s like Willy Wonka – but with popcorn. Mucho is behind some of our favourite cocktail bars in Sydney, but the team has also won firm fans for its addictive free popcorn. Each bar has its own signature, from Bar Bridge’s nori seasoning to Bar Planet’s curry dust and Centro’s sugar and sumac popcorn.”

“Sip and save during happy hour at these bars and venues across the city serving affordable drinks and bargain bites.It’s winter in Sydney. The temperature’s dropping, prices are rising, and even your group chats are going quiet. In times like these – when a single round can cost an arm and a leg – we’re especially grateful for a good happy hour.”

“One of Sydney’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Surry Hills is packed with some of the city’s buzziest bars, standout restaurants, top-tier coffee, and an ever-evolving lineup of things to see and do.”

“If you're over hot cross buns and chocolate eggs and feel like venturing out on the long weekend, there are plenty of hotspots to choose from. Hit this list for the cafes, restaurants and bars staying open in Sydney over the four days.”

“The countdown to the 2026 Easter long weekend has begun. Yep, that glorious four-day weekend is on the horizon, so we can soak up the crisp autumn air and indulge in way too much chocolate.”

“There was a time when pickle juice lived exclusively at the bottom of the jar or beside a sandwich. Now, it’s turning up in martinis and margs across the city. With the recent revival of the dirty martini, savoury drinks have started to win out over the sweet, maximalist staples of the past.”

“If there's one summer drink that never goes out of style, it's the margarita. With its salted rim and smooth tequila, it's the ultimate warm-weather classic, made for long afternoons with friends. To celebrate that feeling, Tequila Herradura (which has been crafting tequila for 150 years) is teaming up with some of Australia's favourite bars to put their unique spins on the classic cocktail.”

“You’re either finishing work or starting your night, and you’re on the hunt for a refreshing beverage. But more than that, you need a deal. But where to get one?”

“Our pick of Sydney’s best bars, where good drinking and good times reign supreme”

“The Mucho team is taking you along its Tequila Trail next week.”