Sydney has a raft of incredible distilleries and stunning gin bars. It’s up there as one of the top cities in the world to whet your whistle on a well-made Martini (which is why Gin Journey launched here!) So, we’ve put together a list of the distilleries where you can discover more about how the divine liquid is made, and hopefully fuel your passion further.
Four Pillars Laboratory
What can we say about these guys? Trailblazers, Aussie gin flag wavers, flavour makers and all-round good eggs. Four Pillars have set up their Sydney outpost complete with a beautiful bar, Eileens, serving cutting edge cocktails and snacks (oh my word, those snacks).
Four Pillars run a whole range of masterclasses down at the lab, but we’re going to focus on their Sydney Gin Masterclass
What? Gin Masterclass with a healthy dose of fun
When? 3:30pm Saturdays
Duration? 1 hour
How much? $85pp + booking fee
What does that include? Gin drink on arrival and flight of gins, $25 off your favourite gin at the gin shop.
Poor Toms Gin Hall
Situated in Marrickville, you can spend days checking out the independent bars, cafes, breweries and shops around the area and never get bored. Enrich your quirkiness and then finish up with a visit to Poor Tom’s for a Negroni and chill. Summer days with an open front are where it’s at.
These guys don’t run a regular experience, however if you inquire about a Gin Masterclass with us we can set one up (and we’ll even host it for you too). Winner!
What? A gin hall and distillery
When? Thurs 5pm-9:30pm, Fri 3pm-9:30pm, Sat 12pm-9:30pm, Sun 12pm-9:30pm
Duration? 2 hours
How much? $120pp
What does that include? Gin flight and three gin drinks.
Archie Rose
The Archie Rose distillery is a stunning set up in Alexandria. Their bar gleams and their distillery entices. There’s whisky resting and gin bubbling. These guys also make some stunning liquids and with their distilling capacity taking a big boost in 2020, you’re sure to see a lot more of it.
What? Gin blending class and gin history masterclass
When? Friday’s 7:30pm, Saturdays & Sundays 12pm & 3pm
Duration? 1.5 hours
How much? $115pp
What does that include? Hands-on gin blending class, gin history masterclass, two x 200ml bottles of your own signature gin to take home.
Gin Journeys top tip – Try the Archie Rose with their draft bush tonic. A beautiful liquid creation by the crew at PS40 which sidelines the gin deliciously.
Manly Spirits
Take a trip to the Northern Beaches and once you’ve checked out the world famous Manly beach where this distillery gets its inspiration from,you can make your way to Brookvale (Brooky to the locals), a little suburb of Manly which houses this delightful distillery.
What? Distill your own gin on a mini gin still
When? Thurs 6pm, Sat 12pm & 4pm, Sun 2pm
Duration? 2 hours
How much? $190pp + booking fee
What does that include? 700ml custom made bottle of gin to take home, G&T, cocktail and antipasto plate, education instruction by Manly Spirits Distiller, hands on botanical experience, BYOBotanical – if you have something interesting at home take it along to distill.
Gin Journey’s top tip – Brooky is home to plenty of breweries if you want to go on your own booze odyssey. Check out Four Pines and Nomad along your way.
And us…
Gin Journey Sydney
It would be remiss of us if we didn’t blow our own trumpet, it’s all about self love too right?
We launched the Gin Journey in the UK in 2013. Starting in London and growing to roll in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Chester and Brighton on regular Saturdays throughout the year.
Right now it’s time for Sydney, gin has enjoyed an incredible success story in Australia and we’re here to tell the story.
Take 5 of Sydney’s best gin bars and cutting edge distilleries, stir them with your very own mini bus for the day, add 5 gin cocktails and 5 samples of local and international gins. This is all paired perfectly with some scintillating chat from Gin Journey founder and all round gin aficionado, Leon Dalloway. Add ice and garnish and you have yourself a Gin Journey.
What? A Gin Journey through Sydney, the world’s best posh bar crawl – mini bus included
When? Saturdays 12pm-4:30pm
Duration? 5 hours
How much? $125
What does that include? 5 gin drinks (G&Ts and cocktails), 5 samples of gin, 5 venues (including two distilleries), chauffeur driven by mini-bus, tutored tasting on every gin, gin history masterclass with prizes, your very own Gin Guardian for the day, and a hell of a load of fun.
