Leaders of the Australian bar industry gathered at Melbourne’s Match Bar & Grill on Tuesday 8th Dec 09 to find out who topped the list in Bartender magazine’s inaugural Most Influential List in association with Diageo’s Alchemy. Melbourne’s most flamboyant and dedicated bar operator, Vernon Chalker, owner of the the iconic Gin Palace, and co-owner of Madame Brussels and Collins Quarter took the number one spot, with Sydney’s most famous hotelier and the brains behind Ivy and establishment, Justin Hemmes, taking second place.

The Most Influential List is a celebration of the Australian bar industry by Bartender magazine and was presented in association with Diageo’s Alchemy. In November, Bartender magazine and 4bars.com.au announced the Top 50 Most Influential Bar Personalities based on hundreds of online trade votes from around the country. The list included people from all walks of the Australian bar industry including owners, designers, bartenders, brand managers, writers and trainers; anyone involved in the Australian industry. Click here to see the Top 50.

The Top Ten

1. Vernon Chalker, Gin Palace, Madame Brussels, Collins Quarter, Melbourne
2. Justin Hemmes, Merivale Group - Ivy, Establishment, Sydney
3. Jason Crawley, Mixxit Programme, Sydney
4. Phil Bayly, Café Pacifico, Sydney
5. Sven Almenning, Behind Bars, Sydney
6. Fraser Short, Keystone Hospitality, Sydney
7. Sebastian Reaburn, 1806 and Mixology Management, Melbourne
8. Maurice Terzini, Icebergs, North Bondi Italian Food and Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons, Sydney & Melbourne
9. Alex Ross, Match Bar & Grill and Ginger, Melbourne
10. Michael Delany, Honkytonks, Sorry Grandma! & Third Class, Melbourne

http://4bars.com.au/web/2009/12/09/australia%E2%80%99s-most-influential-bar-personality-announced/