DESCRIPTION
And thus begins a tale of intrigue, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Picture it: a Barber with shears as sharp as his wit, a Bootmaker with a taste for fine spirits, and a seamstress with a penchant for stitching together unforgettable memories. Together, they embark on a journey through the city’s hidden gems, weaving their way through cobblestone streets and whispered secrets.
- Meet our characters further down below, let me first tell you about this weekend!
You are in for an AhhhMazing Weekend! Sydney Spirits Festival, cocktails, tastings, tours, meet some of the greatest distillery leaders, underground & speakeasy bars, English taverns and wonderful food, delightful company and intrigue.
⭐⭐HIGHLIGHTS⭐⭐
- 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4* Sydney CBD hotel.
- 1 ticket to the Sydney Spirits Festival, featuring over 148 spirits and unlimited tastings.
- 1 tasting glass and tote bag.
- ☕Coffee and cannoli treat to enjoy whilst soaking in the view of the Sydney Opera House.
- Visits to 5 bars, 1 pub, and 1 English tavern = 7 bars + Spirits Festival
- 1 Distillery tour with a flight taster paddle.
- 1 Bottomless Brunch
- 1 English Sunday Roast Lunch
- Welcome Dinner
- Snacks provided throughout the bar tours.
- Transport to and from the hotel and bars during the tour.
FRIDAY:
•Check-in to your 4* Hotel from 2pm. Settle in and enjoy free time until our Welcome dinner.
•7:00 PM: Welcome dinner & dessert at the Lord Nelson Pub Brewery Hotel. The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel is Australia’s oldest pub brewery, famous throughout the World for award-winning natural ales.
•10:00 PM: Bar hop starting with The Old Bootmaker, where you’ll enjoy a signature cocktail.
SATURDAY:
Morning: Free time for breakfast.
•11:00 AM: Bottomless Gin Brunch at Hickson House.
Indulge in the ultimate dining experience at Hickson House Bottomless Brunch!
And the best part? Enjoy bottomless servings of our signature Hickson House Gin & Tonics, as well as a selection of fine wines and refreshing beers.
The Menu
- Mixed olives
- House made rosemary focaccia
- Wagyu Rump steak with fries and bearnaise
- Roasted Barramundi with lemon verbena beurre blanc and fennel salad
- Fries with black garlic aioli
- Leaf salad with native herb vinaigrette
- *most dietary requests can be accommodated.
•2:00 PM: Distillery Tour at Hickson House with a flight taster paddle
The tour takes you through the production and science behind the gin distilling process. Our stills produces all of our award winning gin right on site.
•3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Explore the historical Rocks area, Sydney Opera House, & Botanical Gardens or perhaps skip back to the hotel for a nanna nap to refreshen.
•6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Attend the Sydney Spirits Festival.
This specialised and diverse collection is the largest of its kind in Australia featuring 148 brands of whisk(e)y, gin, soju, schnapps, rum, vodka, vermouth, grappa, tequila, liqueurs, fortified wines and more.
All spirits will be available for tasting and samples are included in your ticket.
Bottle sales are available from all stands and a range of food will be available for purchase.
See legends in their fields: The Godfather of Australian Whisky Bill Lark. Buffalo Trace Whiskey’s Gee David. Taste and chat to Mikey Enright, one of Australia’s best known and awarded spirits personalities of Hickson House (hey, we went there earlier today). Meet the Ester Spirits gang, Corinna and Felix and learn about Negroni and Strong Gin. Taylor & Smiths, Ben and Natalie are offering tastes of their new Honey Gin plus Whisky and Negroni. Also don’t forget to ask for their Dirty Martini and a little bit of Hanky Panky! ohhh arhhh!
•9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Visit The Barber Shop, voted Australia’s best Gin Bar, enjoy a signature cocktail – this is another of Mikey Enright’s establishments.
•11:00 PM – 1:00 AM: Experience The Fabric Storehouse, Sydney’s original speakeasy basement bar, known for being one of the world’s best Whiskey Bars, including a signature cocktail.
•1:00 AM: Conclude the night at the Nightcap bar for a unique nightcap shooter. “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!” – hey, these are your life choices!
SUNDAY:
•11:00 AM: Late checkout from the hotel.
•11:30 AM: Sunday Roast Lunch at The Duke of Clarence, including a Roast Lunch Main, 1 dessert, and a choice of Bloody Mary or Irish Coffee. The best English roast lunch this side of the mother land. This is another wonderful establishment by the Hickson House crew.
•2:00 PM: Tour concludes.
Note: We encourage responsible drinking. The spirit festival and distillery tour offer spittoons for those that are just looking to taste the produce. Water will be offered between all drinks and is encouraged. Food will also be on offer. You are not expected nor encouraged to drink all available drinks. Additional drinks not mentioned as supplied on this tour are at your own cost. Entry to bars, clubs, pubs and the festival will be discretionary and up to the establishments authority. We have no control over these establishments. Guests that are unruly or rude will be escorted back to their hotel room. A responsible tour leader will be with you throughout the tour. This tour is suitable for 18years +.
Now, let’s finish this story and meet our protagonists!
The barber, known for his impeccable grooming and keen eye for detail, leads the way with a confident stride. With each snip of his scissors, he reveals a new layer of the city’s mystique, his laughter ringing out like a melody through the night air. He’s a master of his craft with a taste for the finer things in life. Whiskey flows through his veins. He’s a familiar face in every whisky bar in town. With a rugged charm and a twinkle in his eye, he exudes an air of confidence that draws others to him like moths to a flame.
Following closely behind, the bootmaker strides purposefully forward, his leather apron a testament to years spent crafting the finest footwear. He’s a rebel with a cause and a penchant for Bourbon, his hip flask tucked neatly into his pocket, he regales his companions with tales of adventure and daring escapades. With his devil-may-care attitude, he’s the epitome of a bad boy, irresistible to the ladies and a thorn in the side of the establishment. But beneath his rough exterior lies a heart of gold, ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
And then there’s the seamstress, a master of disguise with a fondness for gin. With her keen eye for detail and a network of informants at her disposal, she’s the keeper of secrets and the queen of the underground scene. If you need something done, she’s the one to ask, her lips sealed tight and her loyalty unwavering. Her fingers nimble and sure she stitches together the fabric of their shared adventure with a smile that lights up the night, she spins tales of romance and intrigue, her laughter mingling with the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation.
Together, they make an unlikely trio, bound by a shared love of discovery and the thrill of the unknown. And as they step through the doors of yet another hidden gem, they raise their glasses in a silent toast to the magic of the night and the promise of new beginnings.
For in the world of the Barber, the Bootmaker, and the Seamstress, every drink is a story waiting to be told, every bar a stage for the next chapter in their ever-evolving tale. So join them, dear reader, as they raise a glass to friendship, laughter, and the timeless allure of the city at night. Cheers!
COST: $997pp.
30% Deposit required. Balance to be completed 60 days before tour.
Sydney Spirit Festival tickets are likely to sell out. To secure your place please order quickly.
Already have tickets to the festival – talk to us about joining in on this tour
DATES: MAY 10 -12 2024
Photo credits: Sydney Spirits Festival & Sky Road Trail
