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A visionary new Cocktail Bar and Spirits Library is set to open at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart on 9 December 2021. Mary Mary embraces its historical roots with a pioneering spirit to present the exceptional native ingredients and liquors of Tasmania.

Steeped in history and stories of days gone by, Mary Mary takes its name from the former St Mary’s Hospital built in 1841 and exudes the charm of a bygone era reimagined for today’s travellers and locals alike. Hidden within the deep old sandstone walls of the original building located off Salamanca Place, guests will feel as though they are stepping through time to discover an intimate bar with a welcoming atmosphere, inviting conversation and conviviality.    
The knowledgeable bar team is led by Bar Manager Ronán Kavanagh, who brings both international experience behind the bar and recognition for his work on local distilling projects at Charles Oats Distilling. With Mary Mary, Ronán will apply his expertise and passion to story-tell the provenance and diversity of Tasmanian ingredients through thoughtfully designed cocktails and an evolving collection of spirits. 
Mary Mary’s carefully curated drinks menu is rooted in classic cocktails enriched by native ingredients and the expert execution of the bartenders for an experience that highlights Tasmania’s exceptional local craftspeople and distillers. The signature cocktails reflect an ambitious re-imagining of the world’s great cocktails, including a Classic Martini made with Tasmanian gin or vodka, fresh vermouth, and a lick of aromatised verjuice, served with seasonal accoutrements made in house. Mary Mary’s Old Fashioned is created with a house whisky blend, salt and umami for a truly wild and daring interpretation.   
Dedicated to the discovery of exceptional local produce, the menu will feature ingredients including Braeburn apples sourced from the Huon Valley and a salty native succulent known as Pigface, found growing on the coastline. Mary Mary champions the bounty that Tasmania bestows and pairs them with the finest spirits and liquors of the land. 
“A lot of thought and passion has gone into creating an experience at Mary Mary that celebrates the unique drinking culture of Tasmania – there is nowhere like it in the world”, says Ronán Kavanagh. “We hope people will feel as though they have discovered something special each time they visit, whether we have a rare whisky to taste from Sullivan’s Cove, or a cocktail showcasing an exciting new distiller and paired with a seasonal ingredient from the island. We want to be known for creating an element of the unexpected and moments of intrigue for our guests.”  
Once the Strong Room of the original Georgian hospital, the interiors of Mary Mary are characterised by handsome heritage design details in a refined setting. The rich texture of the exposed sandstone walls are illuminated with soft lighting, and dark wooden wall panels set against striking parquetry floors.  The beautifully crafted bar is lined with leather and topped with marble to house the finest selection of spirits imaginable, and beyond the main bar two semi-private rooms are each designed to create relaxed atmosphere for guests. Guests are invited to choose whether to to pull up a stool at the bar to peruse the collection of liquors, or to settle down in a cosy leather armchair in front of one of the fireplaces. 

A Coal Chute and Spirits Vault located at the end of a historic passageway houses Mary Mary’s collection of rare spirits. Guests with a particular curiosity, compelled to learn more about the spirits on offer, are invited to experience special tastings hosted within this unique space, set among the shelves lined with fascinating bottles and barrels containing spirits aged in-house.  
The food offering at Mary Mary will continue to celebrate the themes of Tasmanian locality and a connection to provenance and community, while taking influence from global wanderings. A collection of small plates and snacks designed for grazing will provide a welcome accompaniment to the cocktails and spirits.  
The concept was developed by world-renowned creative team, Proof and Co and award-winning Australian bartender, Charlie Ainsbury. Known for creating some of the world’s best bars of which six projects are ranked amongst the World’s 50 Best Bars, including their cornerstone venue 28 Hong Kong Street. 
For more information, please visit www.thetasmanhobart.com or follow us on Instagram.