Festive madness has officially kicked into second gear. Just remember to breathe ...

BARANGAROO OPENS FIRST ‘Gin & It’ POP-UP:

Award winning bar duo Mikey Enright and Petr Dvoracek, best known from The Barber Shop have created a new cocktail concept ‘Gin & It’ that’s the current star the Wulugul Pop Up on The Streets of Barangaroo.

basically Gin & It is the ultimate gin adventure bringing together their combined award-winning experience in a crafted, creative cocktail menu that celebrates the juniper beverage while pushing the boundaries.

The pair had hundreds to the launch party on the boardwalk, where Lend Lease are still in the throes of putting the finishing touches to some extra-ordinary looking apartment and office blocks. The whole precinct is looking mighty spectacular.

Don’t mind if I do ...Source:Supplied

The ‘gin’ master at work.Source:Supplied

Enright and Dvoracek are paying homage to the forgotten classic cocktail ‘Gin & It’, a variation on a martini. Gin & It’s cocktail menu has a strong botanical focus and will be prepared daily — bottled, labelled and ready for consumption.

The bar is housing the largest selection of gin in Australia, a collection that the team has been lovingly importing over the last nine months.

Decisions. Decisions ...Source:Supplied

“Gin has always been a part of my history, from growing up in England to opening the first gin bar in Sydney, a small offering at the back of The Establishment. In 2013 I followed my passion, venturing out to open my own bar and gin experience, ‘The Barber Shop’,” says Enright.

“Now, we present the next page in Sydney’s gin chapter — Gin & It, named of a forgotten classic cocktail from the mid 1800s. It’s everything a gin should be and more,” says Enright. Well, get to it then ...

P & O CRUISES MAKES HISTORY ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

Australia’s leading cruise line P & O Cruises made history, staging an unprecedented five-ship spectacular on the harbour to celebrate the arrival of its two latest cruise ships.

In a world first, the cruise line marked the debut of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden with a social media naming ceremony, which saw singer Jessica Mauboy and actor Kate Ritchie simultaneously christen the ships via Twitter as the two vessels sailed either side of Fort Denison.

What a spectacle: 5 P & O ships on Sydney Harbour to celebrate the arrival of Eden and Aria.Source:Supplied

Reflecting Australians’ love of social media and cruising, the ships’ godmothers both tweeted a short message declaring the ships named, while Jessica Mauboy (below) also sang the national anthem.

In a nod to maritime tradition, a bottle of champagne was smashed on the bow of each ship as they reached Fort Denison, with all five ships sounding their whistles to mark the nation’s first dual cruise ship christening.

The gathering of five cruise ships from one fleet on the Harbour was watched by thousands of Sydneysiders on the foreshore and on small boats, while more than 12,000 guests and crew on-board the P & O fleet joined in the celebrations.

A very happy, shipshape crew on Fort Denison.Source:Supplied

Ann Sherry, (above) CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P & O Cruises, said the event marked a new era for P & O, Australia’s only homegrown cruise line, which has increased its fleet to five ships in response to increasing demand for cruise holidays.

“P & O Cruises has been sailing from Australia for more than 80 years so we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the expansion of our fleet with so many Sydneysiders today,” said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P & O Cruises.

“The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden represents a 50 per cent expansion in our guest capacity and heralds a new look and feel for our cruise line, inspired by modern Australia.”

CHRISTMAS AT CERRONE:

While the music set were sweating it out at the ARIA awards, diamonds and jewels were on the minds of guests at Christmas drinks hosted by jeweller-to-the stars, Cerrone.

The annual soiree is always full of sparkles, smiles and plenty of familiar social faces. Nic Cerrone and wife and daughter, Carmela and Desiree celebrated with 100 VIP customers, celebrity clients, family and friends including Carla Zampatti, Jeff Fenech, Anthony Bell and crown queen, Viktoria Novak.

Cerrone Christmas celebration: Lynette Bolton and Jude Bolton.Source:News Corp Australia

After a sweltering hot day guests walked into the Cerrone’s stunning Grand Salon and gasped over the million dollar Xmas ‘tree’, brimming with boxes full of diamond jewellery and sprinkled throughout with 100s of diamond stones.

Nic Cerrone celebrates Christmas with his friends and family at his jewellery store.Source:News Corp Australia

With food from Plated and free flowing Veuve, an emotional Nic thanked his long time staff — some of whom have been with him for 30 years — and announced plans for the Cerrone’s first Melbourne boutique which will open next year.

REBEL SPORT STORE OPENING:

Rebel Sport welcomed over 350 sports fans to her much anticipated new mega stadium store at Westfield Bondi Junction. A host of sporting and sports minded names and faces from across Sydney’s sport and retail industry joined the rebel team on the evening with VIP guests including MC, Erin Molan; rebel ambassadors Michael Slater, Lauren Geitz, Jessica Fox and Libby Trickett; plus Anthony Minichiello, Geoff Huegill, Matt + Jess Shirvington, Lauren Eagle, Scott Gooding, Talitha Cummins.

Prinnie Stevens and daughter Sania Stevens at the rebel launch.Source:News Corp Australia

Michael Slater at the launch of the Rebel Stadium Of Sport at Westfield Bondi Junction. Picture: Christian Gilles.Source:News Corp Australia

As well, there was Sambag’s Sam Wagner, Joanna MacMillan, Irene Deutsch, Michael Ryan, Ted Helliar, Nadia Fairfax and Waratah’s marketing man, Asher Morris.

With everyone shopping up a storm (and all guests leaving with a FitBit) the night was buzzing with kids checking out all the new equipment, the fit (and fit-ish) trying on the latest looks from brands including Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

Waratahs hit the launch of the Rebel Sport store at Westfield Bondi Junction.Source:Supplied

Rebel teamed with mega event company Rizer to fully bring the new concept store to life with a special performance from Beat The Streets (with crew who have performed with Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, Jessica Mauboy, Timomatic and Ricki Lee), sporting installations and DJ Alice Quiddington. The RebelRizer cocktails on tap seemed to be a hit.

DELLA HYDE BAR OPENING

Applejack Hospitality have opened their new bar, Della Hyde, on Sydney’s Oxford Street, their fifth venue to open in four years.

Located at the Hyde Park end of Oxford Street, the venue will add to the growing number of new bars and restaurants opening on the street incoming months, and will join co-owners Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts’ line-up of venues across Sydney- The Butler, Bondi Hardware, The Botanist and SoCal.

Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts.Source:Supplied

Della Hyde glamour guests Caroline Groth and Olivia Warne.Source:Supplied

Della Hyde is Applejack’s playful interpretation of vintage hotel bars of the past, with charming interiors and service, good tunes and a strong focus on seasonally fresh cocktails.

“We wanted to recreate the feel of hanging out in a cool hotel bar where you can escape, kickback, get comfortable and enjoy great cocktails and delicious food.

“It’s simply about quality delivered with fun.”

The bar can comfortably fit up to 150 people. Christmas party, anyone?