Interview: Tom Angel of The Exhibitionist Bar

from Inside Gold Coast Magazine Ed. 6

Driftwood Social at Vibe Hotel

TOM ANGEL

Meet the bar manager of The Exhibitionist Bar.

HOTA’s Gallery was one of the most notable openings of 2021, and along with it, the openings of Palette Restaurant and The Exhibitionist Bar. If you haven’t been treated to the superb views that The Exibitionist Bar offers, are you even a rooftop bar connoisseur? Behind the creative cocktail menu at the venue is Tom Angel. With a wealth of knowledge, Tom brings a refreshing and imaginative slant to the beverages that are sure to treat the senses. How long have you been a Gold Coast local?

I moved here beginning of 2006 for a holiday, fell in love with a lady, the place and surrounding areas, and never left! Tell us a bit about you.

I caught the bug from an early age working for my Aunt in her award winning café in Christchurch, NZ. Ever since then I’ve been on a quest to embody the art of hospitality as she did. I spent a few years working at The Star Gold Coast, learning all aspects of the industry, before moving onto smaller venues. I count myself very lucky to work with and learn from some best in the business, like Josh and Astrid and the team from La Casita/Fleet in Brunswick Heads, Adam Lane at Kiyomi (now at Yamagen), and of course Dayan Hartill-Law, before opening a small cocktail bar in Broadbeach. Owning and operating a bar gave me some invaluable lessons that I very much appreciate and has only strengthened my resolve and passion for this industry and the bartending community.

After moving to the Gold Coast, I met my future wife a week afterwards, and now we have two boys together! My eldest son is hearing impaired like myself, so my family is my biggest source of drive and passion. Having a disability should not hold you back from achieving what you put your mind to. What do you consider your greatest career achievement?

I consider the Diageo world-class competition one of the most prestigious bartending competitions worldwide and I love that I’ve made the top 100 bartenders in Australia 5 times, which shows all my hard work and staying in touch with what is happening internationally in the bartending world is paying off. Currently working at HOTA, and the amazing team here definitely feels like a privilege especially with the Culinary Arts team, and it feels like this is going to be an important milestone in my career. What makes The Exhibitionist Bar a superior rooftop bar on the Gold Coast?

The view is amazing! Both day and night. We have a panoramic view of the Gold Coast skyline, which is iconic, combined with the hinterland to watch the sun go down over the

hills. Quality drinks and food on offer, with our talented bartenders able to make classics, and live music on Friday nights and Sunday arvos. How long does it take you to come up with a new cocktail?

Sometimes I can do it on the fly, some of the best drinks I’ve made have been under pressure! I like to start with a base flavour and keep it simple with a minimalist thought process. Often if I’m working with a particular spirit, I’ll pinpoint a flavour that would work well accentuated. I will write it in a notebook and work my way through, often with random drawings and indecipherable sentences. Here at HOTA, it’s been really nice to use artwork as a starting point and I will dive deep into it. Why was the artwork created? What does the artwork look like? Colours, textures, lighting, emotions? What are your Gold Coast favourites… Café: Not the GC, but Cubby’s in Chinderah. An essential coffee stop in the morning on the way to work and the team are amazing. Coffee spot: Vector, Tarte and Stable are all making quality cups of brew! Dino at Rosella’s makes the best Espresso Martinis! Restaurant: North Room, Eddy + Wolff, Muso, and my sons reckon that Eddie’s Grub House makes the best burgers on the Coast (they do). Also get down to La Casita in Brunswick Heads for some cracking Mexican food. Bar or pub for a drink: Rosella’s for some chat and great drinks. The wine bar Paloma by the Labart legends has a very slick wine list curated by Channey. Super happy that Après Surf is back in Burleigh too.