Sydney does many things well but when it comes to a bar war with Italian spirit and 1960s glamour woven through it, the city is in its element.

This February, the Style Machine team stepped into the atmosphere of Amaro Montenegro’s The Vero Bartender 2026, where cocktail culture met cinematic nostalgia under the theme Stirring the 60s. Think amber lighting, tailored silhouettes, and a room humming with anticipation.

And yes, it was loud, boisterous and genuinely fun.

The Space: A Place to Be Seen

Since taking over the venue, Acapulco El Vista, the team behind Maybe Sammy and Maybe Frank have transformed the space into one of Sydney’s true “see and be seen” addresses. Polished but playful, it strikes that balance between elevated and electric the kind of room where hospitality heavyweights mingle with media, creatives and cocktail purists.

And the view? Arguably one of the best in the city, particularly during Vivid, when the skyline becomes part of the theatre.

The Spirit of the Night

At the centre of it all was Amaro Montenegro, the amber-hued herbal liqueur crafted in Bologna since 1885 from a closely guarded blend of 40 botanicals. Bitter, sweet, floral and spiced in perfect proportion, it has evolved from a traditional Italian digestif into a refined modern cocktail staple.

For 2026, Australia’s most talented bartenders were invited to reinterpret the decade that defined nightlife. Glamour met experimentation. Precision met personality.

Live bartender performances unfolded more like stage acts than service. There was flair, storytelling, movement. Cocktail culture not just as craft, but as expression.

The Cocktails

Two special event creations made their debut: the Montenegro Paloma and the Monterita, both set to appear exclusively at Acapulco following the event. Alongside them, a curated selection including the Montenegroni, a softer, less bitter take on the Negroni, showcased the versatility of the spirit.

Sampling was, without question, the highlight.

Even though our personal favourite didn’t take home the top prize on the night, the tasting journey itself was the win. Layered botanicals. Balanced bitterness. Citrus twists. Long tonic finishes. Each glass felt considered.

And when cocktails are this good? Competition almost feels secondary.

More Than a Competition

Beyond the theatrics and the tasting, The Vero Bartender carries weight. Australian finalists will progress to international finals, with the overall winner awarded an immersive journey to Bologna, the historic home of Amaro Montenegro, along with year-long brand opportunities valued at over $10,000.

Heritage meets ambition. Tradition meets reinvention.

Blending ritual, craftsmanship and conviviality, the evening felt less like a standard competition and more like a pop-cultural moment, a reminder that cocktail culture is as much about atmosphere as it is about flavour.

Sydney showed up. The bartenders delivered. And for one night, the 60s were stirred back to life, with a modern twist.