Shhh...new Secret Bar In Sydney 1

Media Release

Shhh...New Secret Bar in Sydney

Sydney has a new bar on the scene and the only trick is finding it....

Following a National search for Australia's most talented entrepreneurs to open a new bar in Sydney, a Melbourne duo were announced as the winners of Drambuie's The Premise. Industrial Designer Rob Dumaresq and musician Hugh Gurney, impressed the judges with their novel bar idea - an idea which harks back to the 'speakeasy' style bars of prohibition era.

"Rob and Hugh have a brilliant concept for this new bar," says Alison Sinclair, Spokesperson for Drambuie. "They've taken inspiration from the Drambuie brand value of mystery and the idea of the spirit being a secret recipe. We think their idea is something completely new for Sydney and Sydney-siders are going to have a lot of fun visiting this bar!"

Dumaresq and Gurney's winning bar concept, set behind the facade of a pet shop, is fittingly called The Doghouse. Opening to a packed house last Friday, The Doghouse is reminiscent of speakeasy bars in the prohibition era where drinks have code names so there is no mention of alcohol.

Hugh Gurney, lead singer and guitarist of Sony-signed band, Skybombers, has spent a lot of time on the road and has gathered inspiration from watering holes all over the world for The Doghouse.

"On tour you have hours of downtime every day, and consequently my band and I spend an enormous amount of time killing time in bars. I've played shuffleboard in New York and drank Lone Star beers in Austin Texas," says Hugh. "A lot of the ideas for The Doghouse stem from experiencing American Dive Bars. I loved the relaxed atmosphere, low lighting and slightly shady feel that seeped out of the dark stained wood of these classic American bars, and I know that Rob loved it as well, so that idea started us on this incredible journey for Drambuie's The Premise."

Hugh's partner in creating The Doghouse, Rob Dumaresq, is an award winning Industrial Designer. Last year, Rob won the coveted James Dyson Award at the Australian Design Awards and is a leading light in Australian design.

"We're really excited to have brought this bar idea to life," adds Rob. "The Doghouse is just the sort of place we'd visit in Melbourne so we hope Sydney embraces it," adds Rob.

The Doghouse will remain open for business for two more weekends until Sunday 24 October 2010. Head to 287A Liverpool Street, East Sydney and please, speak easy.

Visit www.thepremise.com.au for further information.

For images, samples and further comments please contact
Katherine Morgan
(0407 708 508) and

Simone Bannister
(0419 752 619)

SOURCE: DRAMBUIE