At the same time, we continue our work in promoting NT produce and producers and connecting them with hospitality operators.

In partnership with the Deckchair Cinema, MusicNT and local breweries and distilleries, Hospitality NT did a Takeover @ The Deckchair.

Showcasing all things local – local beers, local cocktails, local produce, local music – was all done for a night aimed at letting more than 180 staff have a night off to enjoy with their hospitality family. The movie screened was Tom Cruise’s Cocktail, a cult classic in our industry, best described as “so bad it’s good”.

Catering was provided by Bruce Shin and featured all of his favs, including local eggplant bao buns.

The owners/operators of all of the NT’s breweries and distilleries were on hand to speak directly to hospitality staff about their drinks and upskill them in local beers and spirits.

I told the staff: “We are proud to be celebrating all things local and thanking our hard-working local staff for all their efforts to date and into the future.

“The Deckchair is a fantastic local venue to champion and acknowledge the growing local brewing and distilling scene.

“This event had the full support of all of the NT’s breweries and distilleries – a sector of our industry that has rapidly expanded over several years.

“We are fortunate to have award-winning beers and spirits, all made in our backyard, and hard-working individuals behind these businesses.

“It’s great for hospitality staff to put a face to the name and hear directly from producers on what drinks they produce, flavours, processes and more.”

Drinks on offer at the event were:

Good Spirits Distilling Co:
Troppo and Bitter Mango Spritz

Willing Distillery: Rosella Gin Fizz & Java Gum (Vodka Espresso Martini)

Darwin Distilling Co: Darwin Gin, Salty Plum Gin, Far North Gin

One Mile: Pinky (alcoholic lemonade), RDO Bright Ale

Alice Springs Brewing Co: Almost Summer and Oh Ginger (alcoholic ginger beer)

Beaver Brewery: Slivertail Ale and Territory Mid

Purple Mango Brewery & Café: Mango Mango Wheat Beer. 

Legislation was recently passed to allow NT local producers to sell their products online, in addition to their on-premise operations.

We think NT made gin, vodka, and beers would make an amazing present.