“Fresh off taking out Tequila Bar of the Year at the 2026 Australian Bar Awards, Sydney’s Cantina OK! has launched a new cocktail menu built around the idea that a drink can change a mood, trigger a memory or mark a moment. Called Potion, the new menu is available now at the Council Place tequila and mezcal bar, with three new cocktails joining Cantina OK!’s house classics.”

“Plus, a Scottish feast with Lennox Hastie, more Butterboy cookies for Sydney, Bloody Marys garnished with spice bags, and all the venues we’ve visited recently.”

“Sydney CBD Margarita and mezcal bar Cantina OK! has launched Potion, a new cocktail menu exploring how drinks can influence mood, evoke memories and mark occasions. Built around the idea of cocktails as everyday alchemy, the menu spans drinks designed for moments of nostalgia and celebration through to an end-of-day pick-me-up – built around three distinct cocktails.”

“One of Sydney’s most intimate bars, Cantina OK! proves good things come in small packages. Specialising in small-batch mezcal, it’s all about classic cocktails and margaritas. With space for only two bartenders, you might have to be patient, but the hand-shaven ice and hand-pressed limes make it well worth the wait.”

“Drink trends August 2026 show beverage innovation moving towards experiential serves, mainstream functionality and bolder QSR flavours. From guava sgroppinos to prebiotic soft drinks and Red Bull-infused mocktails, brands and operators are taking familiar formats and making them more distinctive, visual and occasion-led.”

“With a name like Dine Out, you might be forgiven for thinking that Broadsheet’s winter festival is all about eating, but this year’s Sydney program has worked its way into plenty of the city’s hottest bars. We tapped 17 bars across the city to create a special one-off deal for the duration of the festival, from July 27 to August 2. Some venues offer substantial discounts, and others will serve meals that pair their venue’s most popular drinks with serious snacks. Here’s what’s happening around town.”

“Dine Out has three happy hour trails split between Enmore, Potts Point and the CBD. They’re all good, but the CBD trail packs the biggest punch with eight venues taking part. Several of them are collaborating with other CBD venues to celebrate the width and breadth of the city’s scene. From black truffle Martinis and MSG Margs to half-priced Japanese whiskey and sorbet-spiked Daiquiris, here are the venues taking part in the Dine Out CBD happy hour.”

“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.”

“Super 44 is a neighbourhood margarita bar on Enmore Road, bringing MUCHO Group's agave obsession to Sydney's Inner West for the first time. Inspired by traditional Mexican cantinas and European tabernas, it's a psychedelic space where hand-painted signs, vintage finds and a desert-road-trip soundtrack create an atmosphere that's communal, familiar and alive.”

“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.”

“Sydney’s Martini masters at Bar Planet are bringing back the brine for a one-night event in which you get to create the dirty Martini of your dreams. A trip to Bar Planet is like stepping into an art nouveau-era bistro installed on the moon. The moody Newtown drinking den is by the team behind world-beating agave-spirit bars Cantina OK, Tio’s and Centro 86.”

“After 10 years with Mucho Group, Daisy Tulley has taken on the role of group CEO. The move from general manager to group CEO was more about formalising her leadership position in the company, she tells Hospitality, rather than having a significant change in responsibility. With her former title, Tulley says she was able to take the lead without being as front facing to the industry and the public. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight.”

“Have you ever been served a Martini with two olives? We reckon probably not. Legend has it that a Martini garnished with an even number of olives is bad luck. But what’s the correct number? How many is too many? Does it change depending on the type of Martini? And are there particular olives we should be using? All very important questions. So, in celebration of National Olive Day (June 1, FYI), we’ve asked some people who love Martinis as much as we do for the answers.”

“MUCHO group has just appointed Daisy Tulley as Group CEO, officially stepping into the top role overseeing the operation behind venues including Cantina OK!, Tio’s Cerveceria, The Cliff Dive, Bar Bridge, Bar Herbs, Centro 86 and Bar Planet.”

“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.”

“An itinerary through the restaurants and sophisticated cocktail bars, markets and steakhouses that have made the city a favourite destination for the most curious foodies.”

“Australia is a vast and surprising continent — an ancient land where ultra-modern cities blend with wild nature, dramatic landscapes, and a rich native wildlife. This uniqueness is also reflected in its food and drink scene, where Australia continues to emerge as a growing force, with cocktail bars featured both in The World’s 50 Best Bars ranking and in the 50 Best Discovery list.“

“Including a music bar and bistro for Cronulla, two CBD spots from the Odd Culture team, the “world’s best Margaritas” in Newtown and world-renowned pizza joint from Tokyo.”