The bartender

Anneliese Grazioli

Hanky Panky Lounge and Bar Kokomo

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A BARTENDER?

Agave spirits actually. I started working at a tequila bar & restaurant at 18. I fell in love with agave spirits, the history and the techniques. In turn I got to start travelling and seeing the bar community in Australia, I met so many wonderful people and wanted to bring that to Darwin.

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE?

In the past few years, I would have to say it is Penny Sippe - I can’t even put into words the influence she has had over how I treat people. I have never experienced such thoughtful and genuine help through different periods. To see what she achieves and does with such grace and have everyone around talk so highly of her. This has made me think of my actions, the way I treat people and how I can help others through large and small actions.

The hero cocktail

9 In The Afternoon

A bright and refreshing bourbon-forward cocktail - layering aged notes with young fresh flavors. This tropical drink made with aged spirits will only encourage more people to drink (and enjoy) bourbon.

Ingredients

• Mount Gay Black Label

• Four Roses Bourbon

• Cold Smoked Strawberry

• Acidulated Salted Maple

• Water

• Freeze dried Salted Maple Dust Carbonated

Like this cocktail? The full recipe can be found in this years copy of the Top 25 Bartenders Get your copy by clicking the button below.

The bar

Hanky Panky Lounge

I opened Hanky Panky Lounge with my then long-time employers David & Kellie Robinson. I wasn’t particularly looking to open a bar but after running restaurants for close to a decade I was definitely looking for what I wanted to do next. After a couple of extra hard years an opportunity came up and I decided that I really wanted to contribute to the bar scene in Darwin. It was an opportunity to show our town a great experience with the knowledge and passion our (small) bar community has up here. An added bonus was having a venue where we are able to train up new bartenders and help create a better bar community in Darwin.

Hanky Panky Lounge is open Sunday-Wednesday 4pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 12pm-2am.