ARTICLE Max Hitchins
An Aussie owns the #1 bar in the world
Did you know a group of Aussie mates own the bar rated as the #1 Best Bar in the world? And I proudly tell one is a good friend of mine. I am talking about my friend Chris Cheung. He owns and operates the multi award winning Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney. He also has the equally lauded Cruise Bar at the Sydney’s Overseas Terminal at Circular Quay. Chris is a member of a NSW hoteliers club known known as the 15 Club. It is the oldest club, of its kind in Australia. I am the the Chairman of the 15 Club. I also proudly tell that THA President Paul Jubb, together with CEO Steve Old and the legendary Tasmanian and world champion axeman Dave Foster recently attended one of the monthly 15 Club luncheons. It was held at the Imperial Hotel in Erskinville, Sydney. This hotel is owned and operated by AHA’s National President - Scott Leach (also a 15 Club member) in partnership with the super successful hotelier Fraser Short. But the bar owned by Chris Cheung that was recently recognised as the #1 Bar in the world, is named Dante . It is located at 79-81 McDougal Street, Greenwich Village, NEW YORK.
Let me tell you why Dante has received this accolade. The measure of a bar is the experience of its customers in hospitality, drinks and food. Dante has these fundamentals down to a fine art, earning the deserved title of The World's Best Bar 2019, sponsored by Perrier. Weaving tradition with modernity, there’s something heart-warming about the story of Dante. When Chris Cheung, James Symonds (of Aussie Home Loans) and operating partners Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson took over this Greenwich Village site 100 years after it first opened, they could see the things that made this fading Italian café once great could be relevant again. At the heart of their missionwas to renew the bar, while being authentic to its roots and appealing to the Greenwich Village community. So the classical décor was given a lift, and in came refined but wholesome Italian food, aperitivos and cocktails. There is a whole list of Negronis to make your way through, but that’s OK because Dante is an all-day restaurant-bar. The Garibaldi too is a must-order. Made with Campari and ‘fluffy’ orange juice, it has brought this once-dusty drink back to life. In 2nd position behind Dante was the Connaught Bar in London. 3rd was Floreria Atlántico, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
4th was The NoMac - New York. USA 5th was The American Bar - London UK 6th was The Clumsies - Athens - Greece 7th was Attaboy, New York, USA 8th was The Atlas - Singapore 9th was The Old Man - Hong Kong 10th was Licorerì Limantour - Mexico City.
To check out the full list of the 50 best bars in the world. See: https://www.theworlds50best.com/stories/News/the-worlds- 50-best-bars-2019-list-in-pictures.html. Or, simply search Google for “ The world’s 50 best bars 2019 ” ++++++ By line : Max Hitchins is an hotelier, author and professional speaker. He is known around the world as the Hospitality Doctor. He has twice presented at the world’s largest hospitality convention held annually in Chicago. More info: HospitalityDoctor.com.au
December 2019 www.tha.asn.au
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