Meet Perth's World Class Bartenders

Lisa Naomi Ternes, 399 Bar

Thanks to some quality mentoring from 399 owners Gary Beadle and Andrew McIntyre - the former whose super power is cursing prodigiously to comical and charming effect and the latter who can get the whole bar to accompany him in a bawdy rendition of "If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands", whilst making drinks – Lisa Ternes is looking forward to a long and happy life in the bar scene.

Although she gives props to 'Violet' in Coyote Ugly “for never serving one drink but somehow managing to pull a crowd and rocking out in ugly pants”, hard work is more the order of the day for Ternes who believes it’s the fundamentals - bartenders, ice (frozen water, not meth), booze, music, and fun - that make for a truly great bar.

Never one to be limited by financial concerns, if she had her way the bar of her dreams would be a magical warehouse/creative co-op with artist spaces, a skate park, a kitchen (snacks are key to a good time), a nap area (also essential for fun maximisation), and a bar with a lounge room vibe that’s open all the time. Is that so much to ask?

Lisa Ternes' World Class cocktail

Tom Kearney, Defectors Bar

Tom Kearney is a man who knows what he likes. If it’s your round then he’ll be having a Weltenburger pilsner and a Talisker, neat, but when he is behind the bar order something with Sour Apple Pucker in it and you’ll be a firm favourite.

Scotch and laughter really are the best medicine so he spends his time off listening to comedy from Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington.

Something of a crowd pleaser himself, Kearney’s secret weapon is a lighter. “When in doubt, burning something. The customers love it!” However in light of his predilection for flaming beverages, the most important thing in his bar? The fire exit - safety first, kids.

Fancy a drink in the company of all creatures, great and small? Kearney has his mind on some form of zoo bar, “kind of like the reptile house but with a swim up section with penguins as well.” *patent pending*

Tom Kearney's World Class cocktail

Mr. Andrea Cardellini, Rockpool Bar & Grill

A devotee of famous Italian bartender, Salvatore ‘The Maestro’ Calabrese, 30 year old Andrea Cardellini takes great pride in his bar work at Rockpool, inspired to greatness by the man who can count ‘Master of the Craft’ and ‘International Cognac Personality of the Year’ amongst his accolades. Embarking on a life of bartending after a newspaper advertisement for professional bartender training caught his eye, you’ll now find him mixing up a storm with his trusty jiggers on hand, helping to keep things perfectly balanced.

When it’s time to knock off expect a solid dose of Aerosmith and Guns’n’Roses washed down with dark spirits on the rocks – very rock’n’roll, Axle would approve.

And where is all this hard work heading? A little bar by the beach, nothing too fancy, but with an uncompromising eye for service, atmosphere and an exceptional product sounds just about perfect to this guy.

Mr. Andrea Cardellini's World Class cocktail

Joe Sinagra, Luxe Bar

Joe Singara dreams of a small intimate space with seats at the bar and dimly lit booths, jazz playing in the background and bartenders mixing up drinks inspired by the classics. There would be a small bar food selection that includes pickles and a variety of charcuterie all made in house with a whole lotta love. What can you say, the man knows what he likes.

Definitely one for the classics, Singara got into the slingin’ biz after reading some old cocktail books. “I couldn’t stop. I just kept reading more and more, trying to learn and get better.” His thirst for knowledge seemingly unquenchable, his phone is chock-a-block with cocktail apps, plus some funk music to keep things up-tempo.

You can expect exemplary service from Singara, who values his customers above all else. “Without them there’s no bar. The most important tool a bartender has in his arsenal is personality. If you’re personable and make your guests feel relaxed and welcome they will have a good time.” Fact!

Joe Sinagra's World Class cocktail

Benjamin Tua, Mint Nightclub

Benjamin Tua, (aka Tu Fierce) is a born host – not to mention something of a man about town. “I just have this deep love of being the host of a party and making people have a great night. Plus, you know, going home with the odd girl who was completely out of my league kept me very interested in doing that to the best of my ability.

There is nothing of the wallflower about this effusive bartender. “I change my favourite drink more then hookers change clients. The latest one is Pastis, ice and water. But my fallback drink will always be Guinness.”

He looks up to bartenders like Nathan Porem, Tim Wastel and Dylan Howarth, who he describes as, “absolute genuine human beings, quintessential gentlemen and can drink a table under the table.”

Not afraid to dream big, Tua thinks that there is a gap in the current bar market. Namely a 500 capacity nightclub serving blue drinks, with a midget attached to a bungy cord who ran along the bar serving shots. “He could jump out and swing over to the back bar to grab spirits off the shelf and swing back again in one great seamless, amazing movement.

We would call him Barry.”

Benjamin Tua's World Class cocktail

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