Melbourne Cocktail Festival 2023

Now on: Melbourne Cocktail Festival 

Bask in the cracker spring weather and order a Campari spritz, a spicy margarita or a whisky sour. Returning for its fourth year, Melbourne Cocktail Festival (MCF) kicks off on Monday 18 September transforming the CBD and the inner north into a sipping safari, allowing keen punters the chance to traipse from well-known bars and venues to some of the city’s hidden gems. Milk Bar has put together a succinct summary of what you can expect – and what you can drink – at this year’s festival.

For seven days, the MCF is a vibrant, whacky, week-long celebration dedicated to Melbourne’s bar and nightlife. Featuring over 40 of Melbourne’s best, ticket-holders will experience city laneway speakeasies, Fitzroy rooftop bars and cocktail institutions. This year, the MCF journey begins at the MCF Hub at Double Happiness on Liverpool Street, Melbourne (near Parliament Station). For a $20 ticket, cocktail enthusiasts will receive a free cocktail at the MCF Hub, be handed a map, and have access to bespoke $15 cocktails and elevated Sip + Snack offerings at participating venues.

The Safari Map includes an impressive line-up of intimate cocktail joints, breweries and bars. The highlights include classic institutions 1806 and The Everleigh, in which both venues exude fine drinking and an air of opulence. The Everleigh is also holding a Basil Hayden Whiskey Masterclass exploring the much-loved Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. A personal favourite is Lily Blacks, an art deco and Parisienne-inspired venue with a superb cocktail offering. New Gold Mountain specialises in all-Australian cocktails inspired by the Gold Rush era.

Sip + Snack offers include Chancery Lane’s Mon Cherie cocktail of Rye whisky-infused, coffee-infused Dubonnet, Kahlua and chocolate bitters and a snack of Chicken liver parfait, with toasted brioche and pineapple compote. Cutler & Co are offering a Tomatillo Gibson and Luxembourg potato with caviar for a snack. Culinary events include Smith St Bistrot’s experience, which will transport diners to the glamour and affluence of 1920s Paris. Longsong will collaborate with the Republic of Fremantle to create a Thai dining experience with an exclusive cocktail-paired grazing menu.

Over the weekend, bottomless brunch offerings at Bang Bag and Fargo will quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger, and the MCF Closing Party at Heartbreaker will serve up a cocktail (or two) and slices of pizza. The Boothby’s Best Bar in Vic awards will crown the top 50 bars and is the big final bash to round out the week.

MCF shines a light on the exceptional hospitality scene in Melbourne and offers tourists and locals a fun, inventive and delicious path to discover and fall in love with distinct and delicious cocktails.

Melbourne Cocktail Festival
Monday 18–Sunday 25 September 2023
https://melbournecocktailfestival.io/