Cocktails, cash and catwalk queens – Barcode takes on the Vodacom Durban July

Every July in Durban, Greyville re-affirms its status as the trendiest racecourse in South Africa. Socialites, celebrities, VIPs and lovers of a good time congregate to place their bets and flaunt the latest in fashion. Barcode was at the centre of “July fever”, coordinating bar systems for a variety of parties across the arena.

It was a massive undertaking that required a careful balance between practical planning and aesthetic application. Although 89 metres of BARCODE bar were laid out across the fields of Greyville, the emphasis was always on achieving the unique effect desired by each individual client. Barcode organisers spent two days setting up separate bars according to their unique space, staff and display requirements. This approach paid off on race day when more than 130 Barcode staff (including 94 cocktail bartenders) worked for 16 hours to satisfy more than 9000 thirsty guests without incident – a benchmark effort

The most attended event of the 2006 Durban July was hosted by Reel Productions – a collaboration between Rusco Events, Kreame and Tilt Nightclub. Divided among seven Barcode bars in four separate arenas, 36 bartenders, 4 managers, 14 bar support staff and 22 runners worked tirelessly to serve more than 6500 guests. Vividly lit and complemented by a dramatic centre display, Barcode's square bar proved to be the focal point for the party. The sheer efficiency of the 15 metre public bar in the House arena perfectly complemented the subtlety and sophistication of Barcode's presentations in the MTN, Red Bull and Pernod Ricard VIP areas.

On its own Reel Productions would have qualified as a mammoth event, but Barcode was also responsible for bar systems at seven other marquees, including the hospitality tents for Raffles, Nampak, Royal Sechaba, Wonderbar, Integra Strategies, Miller VIP and Vacca Matta. As well as light displays branded with their corporate logos, clients were offered personalised cocktail packages that included original cocktails and cocktail menus that reflected the client's corporate image.

July 2006 may barely be over, but the team at Barcode is already preparing for another extravaganza in 2007, determined to make their third successive Durban July the most memorable yet.