Liquid nitrogen ban for NSW bars

By Danielle Bowling

Two Sydney bars have been ordered to cease serving drinks which involve the use of liquid nitrogen, after an 18 year old UK girl recently had her stomach removed after ingesting the substance.

 

Zeta Bar in Sydney's Hilton Hotel and The Roosevelt in Kings Cross were instructed by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) to cease promoting, selling and supplying drinks which use liquid nitrogen in their creation or presentation.

The move follows a near death incident in the UK where a young girl recently had her stomach removed after drinking a cocktail which contained the freezing chemical.

In a statement issued to Hospitality, an OLGR spokesman stated "OLGR is concerned the use of liquid nitrogen in alcoholic drinks may pose an unacceptable risk of harm to the public and may breach requirements under the liquor laws.

"On Tuesday, OLGR took action against two Sydney bars, the Zeta Bar in Sydney and The Roosevelt at Kings Cross, which were identified as promoting the sale of drinks containing liquid nitrogen. The Zeta Bar and The Roosevelt were ordered to cease the promotion, sale or supply of drinks containing liquid nitrogen until OLGR's investigation is completed, with both bars invited to make written submissions should they wish within seven days. Both bars have complied with OLGR's orders.

"Any other licensed venues identified as continuing to promote, sell or supply alcoholic drinks containing liquid nitrogen should be prepared for similar compliance action by OLGR."

While both venues have followed OLGR's instructions, Sven Almenning, operator of The Roosevelt Hotel, told news.com.au there seems to be a misunderstanding as to how liquid nitrogen is used at The Roosevelt.

"They do not contain liquid nitrogen and the wording they [OLGR] use shows their lack of knowledge about the method," he said.

"I think it's important for readers to understand that nitrogen is not an ingredient no more than gas or flames are when you cook a steak.

"If there was any danger in using it we would not be using it in our bar."

Hospitality tried to contact Grant Collins, mixologist at Zeta Bar, but he didn't return our call before publication.

 

Slider image: havenlounge.com

Source: Hospitality Magazine

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I chose to discuss this article due to its relation to the liquor industry in which alcoholic cocktails have been ripped from a bar at the Hilton due to liquid nitrogen chemicals found present in the beverage.
The bar had drawn much attention due to its new cocktail that is presented to guests with a dry ice smoke effect spilling out of the drink. However the cocktail came at a price, and that price was patrons health. The chemical that created the smoke affect on the cocktail was liquid nitrogen which due to further investigation has now been stripped from the menu. A couple of teenage girls were rushed to hospital to have their stomach pumped when they started to experience cramping in their bowls. The liquid nitrogen had a freezing like effect in their stomach which if not removed would have led to serious health issues. I believe that it is important that the ongoing prosperity of alcoholic beverages remains in the industry as most bars and clubs need the legality of shots and mixed drinks to survive. However the health of patrons is just as important. The reason drinks like alcopops and flaming shots face so much controversy is because they are simply not responsible service, much like this liquid nitrogen cocktail.