Australian PM Shouts Round of Drinks at New York City Pub During UN Week

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shouted a round of drinks for patrons at Old Mates, a New York City pub, during a stop in the city for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. He was flanked by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Communications Minister Anika as other Australian officials and celebrities attended events tied to the U.N. gathering.

Old Mates, described as a hangout favored by Australian celebrities, is co-owned by a group that includes Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and tennis great Ash Barty, among others. In line with a pub tradition associated with the Bells Beach trophy, the person who rings the trophy is expected to shout a round for the entire room. Albanese rang the bell and then poured beers for the crowd, a moment that drew attention online and in Australian media alike as attendees cheered and photographed the moment.

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Among those in the room were Pip Edwards, the fashion designer, along with Emma McKeon, the retired Olympic swimmer, who was spotted with her partner Cody Simpson, a singer and former competitive swimmer. The gathering underscored the pub’s place in Australian popular culture and its ties to a diaspora audience during the U.N. week, with other Australian luminaries present as part of the broader social and diplomatic scene surrounding the city's diplomatic activities.

Reaction on social media was immediate and divided. Some commenters framed the moment as a lighthearted gesture of goodwill, while others questioned whether taxpayers funded the publicity or if Albanese used his own resources. One user wrote, 'Taxpayer shouting the bar. I doubt Albo used his personal credit card,' and another added, 'So I guess we all just paid for the beer.' The remarks reflect a broader debate about the line between ceremonial gestures by world leaders and the scrutiny that accompanies public spending during high-profile international visits.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond. The episode occurred against the backdrop of a busy UN General Assembly week in New York, where Australia’s delegation engaged with global partners on climate, security and development issues, while also navigating the cultural and social dimensions of high-profile political travel.