Queenstown bar the ABSOLUT best the South Island has to offer

The owners of popular Queenstown bar The Boiler Room will celebrate the sweet taste of success in a national competition by jetting off to Sweden.

ABSOLUT COLLABORATIVE was a nationwide competition to promote the popular range of vodka and give bar owners the chance to showcase the uniqueness of their venue with some creative flair.

The Boiler Room Operations Manager Jason Whalley was told on Tuesday (September 25) that the bar was one of four New Zealand winners of the competition, and the only one in the South Island.

Local Pernod Ricard New Zealand Sales Manager Karen Bisacre delivered the good news to Mr Whalley.

His prize will be to join a limited number of top bartenders from around the world for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the ABSOLUT AKADEMI PRO.

The Boiler Room was among a hand-picked group of just 11 outlets throughout New Zealand selected to compete in the competition, where the mission was to run a creative and successful ABSOLUT campaign in their bar.

The creative forces behind The Boiler Room got into the spirit of ‘collaboration’ by involving local Queenstowners - photographer Jason Law and Whitelaw Graphic Design - to create a series of stunning Queenstown postcards to be given away with every purchase of ABSOLUT.  They christened the campaign ABSOLUT QUEENSTOWN and ran it during August.

“By working with Jason, we were able to produce these postcards with amazing Queenstown shots,” said Mr Whalley.  “They looked so great everyone wanted one, because people wanted them simply as a piece of art.”

The postcards proved so desirable, sales of ABSOLUT went through the roof, and the campaign went viral with The Boiler Room popping up on social media across the globe.

“We were getting messages coming in from the UK, Finland, Latvia, New York, all around the world,” said Mr Whalley. “We managed to take the ABSOLUT QUEENSTOWN campaign and The Boiler Room global, so we were thrilled!

“It was great to see the huge response from our customers. We love seeing them have a great time when they’re in the bar, and it’s been so rewarding to get something back from them through their response to this competition.

“We put a lot of hard work into the competition and to hear we’d won was just awesome.

“It’s been a massive opportunity as ABSOLUT has never run anything like this before, so walking away with the prize is such a good feeling.  Sweden here we come! “

New Zealand ABSOLUT Marketing Manager Kathryn Love said she was hugely impressed with the creativity and engagement shown by all the bars involved in the ABSOLUT COLLABORATIVE across the country.

“The Boiler Room came up with a unique collaboration idea that played on its  Queenstown location and was  a deserving winner in the South Island.”

Mr Whalley will leave for Sweden in early 2013.

More about Future Bars Ltd

The Boiler Room
Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the heart of beautiful Queenstown, this bar will leave you wanting more and more. In summer the outdoor deck is the perfect afternoon base while in winter après ski by the fireplace is a must. An outstanding wine list is on offer featuring Central Otago’s finest and Hawkes Bay favourites. Cocktails created by top mixologists offer classics or their own amazing creations -- simply delicious. Add the back bar bursting with premium spirits and beer selection of craft, local, and worldwide pours... The Boiler Room has got it covered. Enjoy your beverage of choice with sensational tapas, sit back and enjoy Queenstown’s best live music. The Boiler Room is the place to be!

Minus 5 Ice Bar
Queenstown’s iconic frozen adventure.
Over 18 tonnes of crystal clear ice architecture, extreme temperatures of minus 5 and colder. Dressed like an Eskimo, visitors of all ages get to explore ice furniture, hand-made ice carvings and even drink from ice glasses filled with our famous delicious cocktails (or mocktails!). A family experience you will never forget, Minus 5 Ice Bar is the perfect spot for a chilly pre-dinner cocktail or a ‘cool’ start to a lively night on the town.