‍Best for

• Couples & friends
• Melbourne tourists
• Solo adventuring
• Affordable public transport & rideshare options 

Distilleries Visited

• ‍‍Bakery Hill - Kensington (whisky, vodka, gin)
• Nubilum - Kensington (rakia, rum, gin)
• ‍Patient Wolf - South Melbourne (gin) 
• ‍Little Lon - CBD (gin, vodka, absinthe, liqueurs, whisky)
• ‍Brogan’s Way - Richmond (gin)
• Here’s Looking At You Kid - North Melbourne (gin, vodka, liqueurs) 

Transport Options

Highly accessible! Car, tram, train, rideshare. 

Duration

‍‍1, 2 or 3 days

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Stop 1: Bakery Hill

411 Macaulay Street, Kensington

‍Instagram
‍Website
Contact
Open Hours‍

‍Experiences

‍Bar, distillery tours, tasting paddles, masterclasses, events, functions, happy hours, private barrel program.

Overview

‍‍Bakery Hill, nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the “small town in a big city” suburb that is Kensington, is Australia’s oldest currently-running mainland distillery. Family owned and run, the Baker family is now in its second generation having been making fantastic whiskies since they first established in 1993.

‍Great for 

Whisky/scotch lovers who appreciate a blend of traditional and modern whisky approaches.

‍Food

Snacks available or order in from your favourite food delivery service. 

Highlights

‍Sly Grog Shop

Ring the bell any day for a sneak preview of the distillery, and team member-guided shopping experience. The 200ml flasks bottles are a firm favourite, great for a dram on the road and a budget-friendly way to bring more of the Bakery Hill range home.

Pet friendly bar

This large bar is perfectly positioned to admire the great Bakery Hill still as you settle in for expertly made cocktails, delightful whiskies, and adventurous tasting flights. Feeling hungry? There’s snacks available or you can order in something local from Uber Eats.

‍Recommended experience

Distillery Tours

Whether you opt in for the 90 min full tour (or for the time-poor, the newly optioned 30min micro tour), this is a fantastic opportunity to not only drink some incredible whiskies but to look a little deeper and discover a slice of Australian whisky making history and still fit more into your day.

‍While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

‍Andrew Baker, the founder’s son and current head distiller, insists you get on board the Kenzo Crawl. Visit Bakery Hill, Bonehead Brewing and Nubilium Distillery to experience a drink or tasting paddle at each venue for only $55 per person. 

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Stop 2: Nubilum

22 Thompson Street, Kensington

Website
Contact & Open Hours
Instagram‍

‍Experiences

Bar, tasting paddles, events & functions, tastings with the maker, make your own spirit.

Overview

‍‍Nubilum is a distillery where traditional European spirits meet modern craftsmanship for a range of spectacular Rakia and Rums promising something you most likely have never tasted before. Inspired by the stories of babushakas, nonnas and babas who mastered making Rakia in bathtubs and sheds, Nubilum brings old world charm to a modern world. Curl up with a tasting paddle, break out the card games, order your favourite Uber-eats in and feel like a local.

‍Great for 

Curious taste-makers, adventurous palettes and a cosy, neighbourhood feel.

‍Food

Order in from your favourite food-delivery service.

Highlights

Make your own spirit

Ever wanted to make a spirit? Bring your own fruit and give that lemon tree in your backyard some purpose! Together with Nubilum’s distilling team you can create your own traditional fruit-brandy.

Meet the Makers: Distiller Experiences

Sit down with a distiller every Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday during open hours for a 30min tasting experience that includes history, methodology and a tasting of 4 spirits with the craft-makers themselves. Tickets are $50 pp and include a 10% discount across the bottleshop range.

‍Recommended experience

While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

Will, current head distiller, also insists you get on board the Kenzo Crawl and we agree!

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Stop 3: Here's Looking at You Kid

92 Errol Street, North Melbourne

Website
Contact
Instagram‍

‍Experiences

Bar, cellar door tastings, events & functions, Gin Crew Subscription, masterclasses.

Overview

‍‍You’ll find Here’s Looking At You Kid (HLAYK) in a charming two-storey Victorian terrace right in the heart of North Melbourne’s Errol Street. Across the road from a bustling neighbourhood pub, bakeries and famous cafes such as Auction Room, HLAYK is the epitome of neighbourhood coziness. Step inside to meet Liz, a wonderful host and storyteller and the head distiller/owner/founder and discover a truly “that’s so Melbourne” experience.

‍Great for 

Hands-on learners, couples, groups of friends and anyone looking for their own spirits to mark on occasion.

Highlights

Tailored Spirits

Planning a wedding? Anniversary? Significant Birthday, or perhaps you own a bar and want your own spirits? Liz specialises in custom gins and vodkas with tailor-made labels just for you and your special occasion.

‍Recommended experience

Distilling Masterclass

A few distilleries offer you the opportunity to make your own spirit, but not in quite the same way as Liz does. After you wander up the curling staircase to a light-filled “lounge room” you’ll find a fleet of small stills that Liz designed herself for a truly insightful experience as you tailor your own botanical recipe and create your own spirit. Bring your own group or join another group to meet new friends. 

While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

Just a stone’s throw up the road you’ll find the wonderful Courthouse Hotel. Newly restored, this pub oozes old world charm with a fresh, modern feel with great accommodation, excellent food and of course, house gin made by Here’s Looking At You Kid. Nothing beats a sunny day on the street-side while sipping a gin-spritz than perhaps cosying up inside with a martini made-your-way after a gin masterclass.

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Stop 4: Little Lon Distilling Co

17 Casseldon Place, Melbourne

Instagram
Contact
Website Open Hours 

‍Experiences

Cocktail bar, gin masterclass, cocktail masterclass, event & function hire.

Overview

‍‍A gin-trified establishment commemorating the rich history of the Little Lon District (Little Lonsdale Street) with a range of characterful, small-batch, handcrafted Gins and Spirits; raising a tipple to the delightful deviates that once trod these lurid laneways. It’s a tribute to a hood once heaving with bordellos, bohemians, dance halls, opium dens, and gangsters; keeping Little Lon’s spirit alive. Come for the Gin but stay for the stories.

‍Great for 

Excellent spirits, a truly engaging bar team making exceptional cocktails in either the tiny cottage distillery or spacious beer garden, and a truly unique glimpse at Melbourne’s history.

Highlights

Unique cocktail bar

Nestled amongst the CBD’s high rises, Little Lon is such a truly unique place to stop by for a drink. Whether you’re on a table for 2 in the cobbled laneway, with a group of friends in the beer garden (complete with screens), or tucked away for a date in the intimate cottage, there’s a character and history in every corner. The drinks are creative and delicious and you’ll be guided through the menu by the attentive bar team (and if you’re lucky, the owners who are frequently onsite).

Cocktail masterclass

Ever fancied making cocktails at home, or impressing friends at dinner parties, but don't know where to start? Looking for a unique day out with friends? This masterclass gets you mixing, stirring and shaking 3 cocktails made with Little Lon’s signature gins. 8+ people per class at $105 per head.

‍Recommended experience

Gin Masterclass

These in-depth masterclasses are a lavish affair so to get the attention they deserve you’ll only be able to book these on Saturdays and Sundays. At $95 per head the value is undeniable; you get a G&T on arrival, a guided tasting of four signature gins, a distillery tour and peek into the rich history of this iconic location and a cocktail to finish.

While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

Continue your historic discovery by visiting the Melbourne Goal, Victoria’s oldest prison, as it’s only a stone’s throw away. There’s plenty of wild events and tours and for the thrill seekers the ghost tours are not to be missed. More info here.

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Stop 5: Brogan's Way

61 North Street, Richmond

Instagram 
‍Website
Contact & Open Hours ‍

‍Experiences

Bar, tours, cocktail masterclasses, martini masterclasses, gin masterclass, Happy Hours, events & functions.

Overview

‍‍Brogan was just 24 years old when she ventured out with a mission; to make exceptional gin. Known for her technical excellence, Brogan’s Way offers a wide range of gins that offer something for every palette. The spirit of “family” runs through every thread of this distillery and on any given day you may spot the shy Brogan, or her dad or brother on the still or behind the bar.

‍Great for 

A little slice of tranquility in amongst the bustling “cool-industrial” backstreets of Richmond, as well as “gin-discovery” for both the unconverted who are yet to find their flavour, or seasoned gin-thusiast looking for a fresh new take.

‍Food

Order in from your favourite food-delivery service or pick up something local to bring along (so many bakeries and cafes nearby).

Highlights

Experiences a plenty

Whether you’re looking for a bottomless G&T session, community event, masterclass or a drink of a sunny afternoon, Brogan’s Way Distillery offers something for everyone — including board games to keep little humans busy too.

Unique shopping — mini is better

Brogan’s Way truly offers something for everyone — including their shop. Their “pick and mix” style of gin minis means no matter your budget or taste, you can customise your own 50ml and 200ml packs to take home to experience Brogan’s Way, your way.

‍Recommended experience

Martini Masterclass

There’s a million masterclasses out there, so what makes this one so special? On the surface, the martini is a simple drink but as you deep-dive into technique and vermouth pairings, you’ll find so much more to discover. It’s $80 per person for a 90 minute experience including discounts on take-home bottles and snacks.

While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

Simon (Brogan’s dad) recommends that you fuel up for your gin tasting adventures by making a stop at the lush Zest Coffee Tasting Experience Studio next door. It’s a mind-blowing sensory journey into the depths of what makes great coffee so great.

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Stop 6: Patient Wold Distilling Co

34-36 Market Street, Southbank

Instagram
‍Website
Contact‍

‍Experiences

Bar, tours, cocktail masterclasses, martini masterclasses, gin masterclass, happy hours, events & functions.

Overview

Patient Wolf, nearing 10 years of operation, is a modern and chic distillery with a strong sense of purpose and undeniably sincere spirits. Original, defined and measured, Patient Wolf is meticulous in their approach to everything they do and their partnerships with the likes of the MSO and Melbourne Arts Centre reflect their true connection to Melbourne as a cultural hub.

‍Great for 

Date nights, a taste of Melbourne, slick hospitality and sunny cocktails under shady umbrellas with large groups of friends.

‍Food

Pre-order great value grazing boxes from the famous Queen Vic Market when you make your booking. They include world class meats, cheeses and pickles. Alternatively order your favourite food from local restaurant Meat Works to enjoy at the distillery.

Highlights

“Make Your Own Martini” Menu

Discover Patient Wolf, and your new favourite martini, by exploring the Make Your Own Martini page in the very considered cocktail menu. Offering a range of gins, styles, garnishes and vermouths including the iconic Mount Zero Pink Lake Gin — a savoury treat nothing that’s nothing at all like what you’d expect.

‍Recommended experience

Spritz Masterclass

Who said cocktails had to be serious? The humble spritz has fast become a staple in our drinking culture offering a light and bright way to explore a plethora of flavours for any event or occasion. This experience invites you to step up to the bar and, under the guidance of Patient Wolf’s expert bar team, build your own spritz. It may sound simple but you’ll walk away a spritz-pert. Includes a drink on arrival and two drinks made whilst class is in session. Book here.

While you’re there: distiller’s recommendation

Just seven minutes by rideshare or less than 20 minutes by tram, you’ll find the Melbourne Arts Centre. Not only is it one of Patient Wolf’s valued cultural partnerships, it’s a true reflection of the spirit of Melbourne. Open your mind with a tipple or two at Patient Wolf then catch a show under the iconic centre spire.

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