The art of good service – the interaction with customers that lifts a hospitality experience from great to unforgettable – has long been lauded as a key element of restaurants. In a bar environment it's often an afterthought in discussions around what makes for a world-class watering hole, despite the critical influence it has. Maybe this is why the cliché of the snobby bartender persists? 

Of course, there are plenty of bar professionals deeply committed to the opposite, going to incredible lengths to consider the comfort and delight of their customers. To explore the components of what goes into creating a service-focused venue, A+ spoke with the co-owners of Caretakers Cottage in Melbourne – recently named one of the World's 50 Best Bars – about their highly considered approach to service, and why it has become a defining characteristic of their business.