Raise a glass to celebrate.
Put on a grin and enjoy some gin because it’s World Gin Day on Saturday June 12. With restrictions easing around Melbourne, it’s time to bring the city and its bars back to life. What better way to do that than to grab some gin? We’ve rounded up the best things to do in Melbourne on World Gin Day. Are you ready? That’s the spirit!
1. Order a cocktail tasting kit from Bowerbird Bar
This bar on Bridge Road is selling a Cocktail Tasting Kit that you can take home and make yourself. Inside the kit, you’ll find five bottles, mostly supplied by the Death Gin distillery. On Saturday, these kits will be delivered to your door. Then on Sunday, there’ll be a virtual Sunday tasting led by a representative from Death Gin.
These gin kits are available for delivery if you live within 15km of Melbourne CBD. Otherwise, now that bars are open, you can simply make a booking and head to Bowerbird Bar to sample something from their extensive gin list.
To grab a Cocktail Tasting Kit, click here.
2. Try the spirit of Melbourne at Little Lon Distilling Co
Little Lon is a special bar in Melbourne. Based at the top end of Little Lonsdale Street and tucked in a little laneway called Casseldon Place, this distillery lives in a little cottage that was built in 1877. Inspired by the colourful past of the inner city, Little Lon has a small batch of gins that pay tribute to the debauched characters of the past. Try Dutchy Thomas, inspired by hooligan Arthur “Dutchy” Thomas, or Little Miss Yoko, inspired by a famous local seductress.
If these characters have inspired you, you can book a gin masterclass or tasting experience to learn all about the creation process, and find out more about the historical figures at Little Lon.
Find them at 17 Casselden Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.
3. Try enough gin fit for a king at Gin Palace
This basement bar on Russell Street has an estimated 200 varieties of gin. Two whole pages in the menu are dedicated to gin and tonics alone. They also have a wide range of martinis, negronis and cocktails to choose from. To celebrate World Gin Day, they’re promising tasting flights throughout the night, from 4pm-3am. No reservations required!
Browse their selection here and find them at 10 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.
4. Go to the Tasting Bar at Brogan’s Way
The Tasting Bar is a casual and informative session that teaches you about the handcrafted products at Brogan’s Way. You get to sample four of their premium types of gin. All you have to do is book a spot on their website. Each session costs $18.
For the rest of June, Brogan’s Way is also doing virtual tastings. This recreates the Tasting Bar experience at home. For $69, you get a tasting pack that can be picked up at the distillery or delivered to your home. An expert mixologist will join you on Zoom and take you through the pack, leaving enough left over for you to make a gin and tonic when the session is over.
Find Brogan’s Way at 61 North Street, Richmond, VIC 3121.
5. Buy tickets to the Melbourne Gin Festival next year
There will be about 50 Australian distillers at the festival next year. Organisers are promising free drinks, tote bags, cocotail glasses and free coffee. The Festival will be at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre March 18-20, 2022. Tickets are on sale now.
For more information, see here.