The award-winning Naught gin distillery has opened a sleek and seductive bar in the leafy suburb of Eltham. This speakeasy bar features 1920s-inspired cocktails, made exclusively from Naught Gin. Settle in to a plush velvet chair under a canopy of dried Australian botanicals, and enjoy the theatricality of their creative cocktails. Naught is now open, and is ready for you to visit every Thursday to Sunday.
Naught Cocktail Bar & Distillery
Naught’s journey began in 2016, when owner and head-distiller Chris Cameron realised he had a passion for distilling. Originally a school teacher, he began to experiment, and finally released Naught’s original Australian Dry Gin four years later. This gin was award-winning, taking home accolades from the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Since then, Naught has grown, leading to the bar that you can visit today.
All of the cocktails at Naught feature their Australian Dry, Sangiovese or Overproof Gin, and will feature their new Classic Dry in the near future. The menu opens like a storybook, starting with a Tasting Flight that will allow you to sample three of their best-selling gins. Then, travel back in time to the Roaring 20s, and enjoy elegant cocktails like a classic martini, an Aviation or their Basil Collins, a fresh take on the popular Tom Collins classic.
After that, move on to more tropical notes, like the theatrical Saturn cocktail, which is topped with a dome of passionfruit flavoured smoke that bursts as you drink it. Also of interest is the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a cocktail, named after Hawaii’s state fish. If you pronounce it correctly on ordering, you can drink it for free. But, if you fail, you will have to pay double. So, better start practicing before you visit!
If cocktails aren’t your thing, the extensive drinks list at Naught includes beer, cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Of course, if you’re feeling hungry, there’s some tasty treats for you to try. Graze upon a charcuterie board made from local produce, including Wagyu Bresaola, caper berries, pickled chilli and Norcia Salami. For something more substantial, opt for their slow-cooked meatballs, topped with Grana Padano, fresh basil and served with sourdough. For a lavish experience, enjoy Oscietra Caviar with Crème Fraiche, shallots and crisps.
Seating at Naught is limited, so bookings are essential.