Cupra Turns Three: Cocktails, Cars, and Celebration at The Timber Yard
On Tuesday 29th July 2025, Melbourne’s Timber Yard shifted gears from industrial chic to high-octane celebration as Cupra marked its 3rd birthday. The night was bold, modern, and unmistakably Cupra — blending Spanish flair with Melbourne edge, and of course, cocktails crafted by Mister Bartender.
A Collaboration in Motion
Produced in partnership with Banter Agency, the event drew 200 guests to a setting that fused live entertainment, immersive lighting, and daring design. From the first pour to the last, the atmosphere matched the Cupra DNA — fearless, dynamic, and layered with detail
The Drinks: Two Signatures, Two Stories
Mister Bartender designed two bespoke cocktails that took guests on a sensory journey:
Barraquito
A playful riff on the Canary Islands’ iconic layered coffee, reimagined for a cocktail crowd. Vodka, Licor 43, cold drip coffee, and a house-made Barraquito syrup of condensed milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus peel created a sweet, enveloping sip — like an Espresso Martini with a Spanish accent
Tinto de Verano
Light, refreshing, and carbonated — this serve reinterpreted Spain’s classic summer drink. Vodka, Dom Bénédictine, Rioja syrup, verjus, and Angostura came together in tall glasses, crowned with a Salvador Dalí print garnish. A surrealist flourish for a surrealist night
Pre-batched for precision, 155 cocktails were prepared in advance, with another 20 signatures mixed on the night — ensuring every guest had their moment at the bar
Service in Style
Our team — Luca, Filippo, Andres, and Steven — worked the floor in true Mister Bartender fashion: professional, polished, and playful. From bar service to table-side deliveries, the cocktails moved with the room, keeping pace with the entertainment and lighting shifts
Entertainment & Atmosphere
Beyond the cocktails, guests were immersed in Cupra’s world through food, music, and design. Chef Miguel from The Crazy Bull brought unforgettable Spanish flavours, while the night shifted into Club Roja rhythms under lasers, projections, and beats that carried Cupra’s daring energy late into the evening
Why It Worked
- Cultural storytelling: Both cocktails referenced Spain — Cupra’s homeland — but were reimagined with a modern, mixology-first twist.
- Seamless service: Pre-batching and a skilled team kept cocktails flowing without compromising theatre.
- Brand alignment: Every sip, sound, and spotlight reflected Cupra’s bold design DNA.
