The bartender

Evan Stroeve

The Waratah

Evan Stroeve has firmly established his positioning as one of Australia’s best bartenders. With a resume that includes everything from co-founding a spirits brands to winning the Australian leg of Diageo’s World Class in 2021, Evan’s latest undertaking has seen him enter into the world of bar ownership, opening The Waratah in Sydney.

Can you share a moment or experience behind the bar that made you fall even more in love with your craft?

One last week actually. We had an older fella from country Tasmania, come in 4 nights in a row while he was visiting family. A few missing teeth, he only drinks sweet apple cider, shakes your hand real hard, but a genuinely warm and earnest person. He showed up each day, riding solo, wanting to sit at the bar each time. Always investing, encouraging conversation, always present. Not staring at his phone... THAT connection is the kind that makes our industry so special. Cocktails, creativity, knowing loads about tequila, roundbuilding, rotovaps, fermentation, awards, competitions, stupid Tik Toks, reviewers? All of that has its place, but the connection you unexpectedly make with a guest, who might not be part of your usual demographic, who couldn’t be arsed with your martini spec, but who just wants to be there… That’s special. That made me stop and reflect on how much I love hospitality.

The hero cocktail

Bonfire Old Fashioned

The bar

The Waratah