Sydney Whiskey Fest...A barber, a bookmaker and a seamstress walk into bar

An exclusive weekend of hidden bars, world‑class whisky, speakeasy secrets, distillery and cuisine magic, at the Sydney Spirits Festival

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 style taverns and wonderful food, delightful company and intrigue.

⭐⭐HIGHLIGHTS⭐⭐ Best $1500.00 you will ever spend on a Spirits Festival!

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.

🥃 Festival Experts

Past events have featured some of the most respected names in Australian spirits — the people who shape the industry, set the standards, and turn a tasting into a story. Previous years have included:

• Bill Lark, the Godfather of Australian Whisky
• Gee David, the charismatic face of Buffalo Trace Whiskey
• Mikey Enright, one of Australia’s most awarded spirits personalities and co‑founder of Hickson House
• Corinna & Felix Clark of Ester Spirits, masters of Negroni, Strong Gin, and bold flavour
• Ben & Natalie from Taylor & Smith, known for their Honey Gin, Whisky, Negroni, and their cheeky Dirty Martini with a hint of Hanky Panky

These legends have helped make the festival what it is today — a place where you don’t just taste spirits, you meet the people who craft them.

This Year’s Lineup

The 2026 Sydney Whiskey Fest will once again bring together a mix of returning favourites and exciting new guests from across Australia’s whisky and spirits scene. Expect distillers, ambassadors, blenders, and industry innovators who are ready to pour, chat, and share the stories behind their bottles.

Full lineup to be announced — but if past years are anything to go by, you can expect big names, rare pours, and the kind of conversations you only get when the makers are in the room.

•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.

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. To right! Cheers!

✨ THE FINAL CHAPTER — AND THE BEGINNING OF YOURS

As the sun dips behind the sandstone walls of The Rocks and the city hums with anticipation, our trio steps out into the cool Sydney night — the Barber adjusting his cuffs, the Bootmaker tightening the strap on his flask, and the Seamstress smoothing the hem of her dress with a knowing smile.

They’ve danced through hidden doorways, traded secrets with distillers, tasted spirits older than legends, and wandered cobblestone lanes where history lingers like perfume. They’ve toasted victories, teased each other mercilessly, and stitched together a weekend that feels like a dream you don’t want to wake from.

But here’s the twist: This isn’t just their story. It’s yours waiting to happen.

Because the Sydney Spirits Festival isn’t merely an event — it’s a portal. A doorway into a world where strangers become companions, cocktails become confessions, and every bar holds a story begging to be told.

And as the Barber raises his glass one final time, he turns to you with that signature grin — the one that says he knows something you don’t… yet.

The Bootmaker nudges you with a wink, already plotting mischief for the next round.

The Seamstress leans in, her voice soft but certain, “Come along. Adventures like this aren’t meant to be watched from afar. They’re meant to be lived.”

And with that, the trio steps forward, leaving the door open behind them — an invitation glowing like a neon sign in the night.

Your seat is waiting. Your glass is waiting. Your story begins the moment you say yes.

Let's get down to business for a moment:

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 do not delay purchase.

Already have tickets to the festival - talk to us about joining in on this tour

Photo credits: Sydney Spirits Festival & Sky Road Trail

Even smaller print:

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 +.