Cocktails fixed with incredibly rare spirits. Taiwanese teas that beggar belief. The finest whiskies paired with some very hard-to-find cheeses. Avant-garde amari. Barrel-aged beers. Nonna’s grappa. Something called a Super-Extra-Mega-Xtreme-Double-Straw-Honey-Wattle-White-Light-Vodka-Shake.
If drinking well is your primary concern this Festival, we have you covered. Whether it’s a cocktail masterclass on the 80th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne or a boozy walking tour that recalls Melbourne’s colourful drinking history, you’ll find a Festival drink with your name on it below.
Roaring Twenties Cocktail Party at the Kelvin Club
It’s time to frock up like it’s Prohibition and descend to the rarely seen Kelvin Club for an old-fashioned knees-up. A unique opportunity to luxuriate in the mahogany- and leather-bound surrounds of the club and soak up the history of the building that includes a drink on arrival, two Martinis, a deluxe grazing table and food by Gerald’s Bar. Get at it.
21–22 March, Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne
The Drinks that Made Melbourne
Festival Legends Richard Cornish and Max Allen lead you on an all-drinking, all-eating tour de booze that tells the story of Melbourne’s earliest encounters with the good stuff. There’ll be mutton and ale at the city’s oldest pub, the Black Eagle, and pinot noir and venison at the Royal Society of Victoria. After that, you’ll go directly to jail – the Old Melbourne Gaol – where we’ll crack a barrel of whisky and a barrel of rum.
20 March, Little Lon Distilling Co, 17 Casselden Pl, Melbourne
La Sagra del Grappino: Cibo, Vino e Grappino
Take it underground this Festival to Caterina’s Cucina e Bar for a five-course northern Italian feast. You’ll eat Caterina’s famed baccalà and succulent game, all kissed with Nonna’s flavoured grappa and paired with northern Italian wines.
19 March, Caterina’s Cucina e Bar, 221 Queen St, Melbourne
Dan’s Diner
We’ve got Dans Hunter, Puskas and Wilson on the snacks, but the drinks are just as impressive, with Commis co-owner Daniel Docherty busting out the likes of the Dan Murphizz (a refreshing twist on the Gin Fizz), the Danhattan (take that, New York) and the Super-Extra-Mega-Xtreme-Double-Straw-Honey-Wattle-White-Light-Vodka-Shake (which must be seen to be believed), not to mention a truly superb non-alc Cherry Cola.
15-24 March, Fed Square, Melbourne
Stir the Senses: Cameo x The Everleigh
Take the lift to the 80th floor for a night of rare spirits in rarefied air at the Ritz-Carlton’s excellet cocktail bar, Cameo. The Everleigh cocktail maestro Michael Madrusan is teaming up with Cameo’s manager Joshua Hampshire for shaker-first deep-dive into the world’s dwindling reserves of rare and one-of-a-kind vintage spirits; a must for any lover of fine drinks and high times.
20 March, Cameo, Level 80, 650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Four Pillars Gin x Koko Black Workshop
Chocolate? Good. Gin? Goohoohoooood. Join Four Pillars mixologist Nick Tesar and Koko Black master chocolatier Remco Brigou at QT’s Hot Sauce Laneway bar for a cocktail-making workshop with a chocolatey kicker. Want to take the magic home? Upgrade to tickets that include a Koko Black x Four Pillars goodie bag laden with fine chocolate and gin.
23 March, QT Hotel Hot Sauce Laneway, 133 Russell St, Melbourne
Bittersweet and Wild: a Feast of Wild Ales and Amari
La Sirène Brewing’s Costa Nikias makes some of Victoria’s best wild ales. Beechworth Bitters’ Michael Ryan makes some incredible amari. Bear witness to their great coming together and savour the fruits of their labours, matched with food inspired by Southern Europe, this Festival at La Sirène.
20 March, La Sirène Brewing, 277 Edwardes St, Reservoir
Three Teas, Six Dishes
Alc-free revolutionaries T.I.N.A join forces with the good folk at Chinese-inspired Lygon Street restaurant Lagoon for a tea-focused dinner that investigates the kaleidoscopic flavours of oolong – with wines to match.
20 March, 263 Lygon St, Carlton