5 Best Distilleries in Sydney Worth a Tasting
My idea of a good night out usually involves a local wine tasting, a decent pour, and something new to sniff before I sip. So naturally, Sydney’s growing distillery scene had me very interested.
These places aren’t just about strong drinks and shiny copper stills. They’re about local botanicals, clever stories, and spirits with a bit of personality.
I’ve been checking out where to taste, tour, and linger over a glass. Here are my picks for the best distilleries in Sydney when you fancy swapping grapes for something a little punchier.
How much does a distillery experience cost in Sydney?
A distillery experience in Sydney usually costs A$30 to A$180+ per person. Prices depend on whether you’re booking a simple tasting, guided tour, or hands-on masterclass.
Casual drinks and tasting flights often cost A$40 to A$75 per person. These are good for relaxed catch-ups or trying several house spirits.
Tourist-friendly experiences can range from A$30 to A$130+. The higher end may include a tour, tasting, or bottle to take home.
Corporate masterclasses usually sit around A$100 to A$180+ per person. Some venues may charge a minimum spend instead.
Spirit enthusiasts can expect to pay A$35 to A$160 per person for more detailed tasting tours. These may focus on production methods, botanicals, ageing, or individual spirit styles.
1. Red Mill Rum
Website
Address: 176 Mullens St, Rozelle
Contact: +61 417 771 993 | [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 AM–5 PM
Red Mill Rum had me at restored Aussie rum history and a barrel hall packed with more than 300 casks!
The brand dates back to 1933, and founder George Fesq’s great-grandson, David, has helped bring it back for a new crowd.
I like that the experience goes beyond simply ordering a drink. You can tour the working distillery, taste the range, and browse bottles at the Rozelle cellar door.
The cask programme is where things get especially interesting. They have bourbon, Cognac, Bordeaux, sherry, and other barrels shaping different releases.
Limited bottlings give serious rum fans another reason to keep an eye on what’s coming out next.
The catch is that guided tours only run Wednesday to Saturday and need advance booking. That makes spontaneous drop-in plans a bit trickier.
Customer Reviews
“Interesting to learn about the fermentation and distillation processes used”
Had an amazing tour here learning about the history of Rum in Balmain’s working-class roots and other parts of NSW. Interesting to learn about the fermentation and distillation processes used. Tried a great variety of Rums with different flavours and purchased a bottle. Would highly recommend.
— Stephen | Google Review
“The rum itself is phenomenal, smooth, complex”
We had an absolutely brilliant experience at Red Mill Rum Distillery. On a whim, David (the owner) took the time to walk us through the full history of the company, sharing stories about his descendants, the legacy behind the brand, and how he completely reinvented it in 2020. You can genuinely feel the passion and pride behind what they’re building.
The rum itself is phenomenal, smooth, complex, and clearly crafted with serious attention to detail. This isn’t just a quick tasting stop; it’s a proper experience.
If you appreciate great spirits and even better stories, visit.
— Dan B | Google Review
2. Poor Toms Oltra
Website
Address: 3/10 Brompton St, Marrickville
Contact: [email protected] | [email protected]
Hours: Wednesday–Thursday, 4 PM–10 PM; Friday, 4 PM–midnight; Saturday, noon –midnight; Sunday, 2 PM–8 PM
Poor Toms Oltra is the kind of place I’d happily pick when I want dinner and drinks without bouncing between venues.
It rolls a cocktail bar, pizza restaurant, and working gin distillery into one very Marrickville night out.
The drinks lean heavily on their own gin, vodka, and amaro, which gives the menu a nice sense of place.
Add pizza to the mix, and it’s easy to settle in for a longer session!
I like that table bookings are available, especially when winging it on a busy night sounds less fun than the cocktails. Groups of 20 or more can enquire about larger bookings and venue hire too.
The main drawback is the early-week closure. Poor Toms is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, so spontaneous weekday drinks need to wait.
Customer Reviews
“Everybody loved the gins too”
Last night went to Poor Toms as a group of six with no booking, and the awesome fella on the door moved things around to accommodate us even though they were fully booked. The wait staff are so hospitable and the pizzas… delicious. Everybody loved the gins too. Such a great venue. Highly recommended.
— Suzanne O’Connor | Google Review
“Killer gins (Fool’s Cut is something else)”
Baller people (all got this genuine person/place mood going on)… killer gins (Fool’s Cut is something else)… dope pizzas (round & square [pan] with the tastiest of top quality toppings).
Then a short walk around the corner for some of the best alternative live music shows in Sydney.
We put the 2 experiences together… it was a truly magical evening!
Highly recommended.
— Cate Bean | Google Review
3. Archie Rose Distilling Co.
Website
Address: 61 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery
Contact: +61 2 8458 2300
Hours: Bar — Wednesday–Thursday, 4 PM–11:30 PM; Friday, 2 PM–11:30 PM; Saturday, noon–11:30 PM; Sunday, noon–8 PM; Cellar Door spirit sales — Wednesday–Saturday, noon–10 PM; Sunday, noon–8 PM; Tours available Wednesday–Sunday by booking.
Archie Rose is where I’d go when a simple tasting feels a little too tame. Their Rosebery setup lets you blend gin or whisky, join a cocktail class, or ease in with a distillery tour.
They make whisky, gin, vodka, and rum, with a strong focus on Australian ingredients and native botanicals.
That local flavour gives the range a bit more personality than your average bottle shop lineup.
The bar and cellar door make it easy to linger after a session. I like that beginners can start with the tour, while keen spirit nerds have plenty of hands-on options.
The main catch is the booking policy. Experiences are non-refundable, and changes need to be made at least six hours beforehand.
Customer Reviews
“Amazing vibes and helpful staff”
Had a great time at Archie Rose Distillery, with the gin-making night and then the bar next door – amazing vibes and helpful staff – shoutout to Holly who gave the best recommendations! Made for a fantastic evening with friends. Would definitely come back!
— Tom P | Google Review
“We have an amazing distillery right here in Sydney”
I just had the tour and tasting. We have an amazing distillery right here in Sydney. I found the tour very informative and fun. Archie Rose makes very quality Liquids of high calibre. I would highly recommend planning an alternative way to get home.
— Alex Kim | Google Review
4. Manly Spirits Co. Distillery
Website
Address: Winbourne Industrial Estate, 4A/9–13 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale
Contact: (02) 8018 5144 | [email protected]
Hours: Cellar Door — Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–5 PM; Friday, 9 AM–10 PM; Saturday, noon–10 PM; Sunday, noon–6 PM. Bar — Thursday, 2 PM–10 PM; Friday–Saturday, noon–10 PM; Sunday, noon–6 PM
Manly Spirits Co. is the sort of place I’d pick when simply tasting gin feels a bit too passive.
Their Gin School lets you work with your own mini copper still and leave with a personalised 700 ml bottle.
There’s plenty beyond gin-making too, including distillery tours, whisky tastings, and cocktail masterclasses.
Group sessions and private-event enquiries make it a handy option for birthdays, team outings, or celebrations with a boozy twist.
I like that the experience feels hands-on rather than overly polished or formal. You can learn a little, drink a little, and still come away with something you actually made.
The main catch is Gin School’s cancellation policy. Tickets are non-refundable, and rescheduling generally requires at least 72 hours’ notice.
Customer Reviews
“We’ll be back for sure”
Gifted the gin tasting and distillery tour for my birthday 🎁. Went along yesterday and loved it. Gin was delicious (my favourite was Lilly Pilly). Anton was great!! Very knowledgeable and lovely to talk to. We’ll be back for sure !!!
— Darlene McGrouther | Google Review
“The best distillery in and around Sydney for sure”
As a manager at Dan Murphy’s, I went to Manly Spirits Distillery to check out the venue and gain some knowledge on the products. The staff there were incredibly welcoming. My partner and I were well looked after by Callum – his service was amazing. Highly recommend checking out this place; the best distillery in and around Sydney for sure.
— Joshua Monagle | Google Review
5. Unexpected Guest Distillery
Website
Address: 12 Cadogan St, Marrickville
Contact: [email protected] — bookings over 12 people | [email protected] — general/experience enquiries
Hours: Friday, 3 PM–9 PM; Saturday, 2 PM–8 PM
Unexpected Guest Distillery is exactly where I’d go when I want my gin with a side of machinery.
You can sip cocktails or tasting flights just metres from the working stills, which beats staring at another generic bar wall.
Their A$20 flight covers four core gins, making it dangerously easy to pick a favourite. Buy a bottle afterwards, and that same flight earns you an A$20 discount, which feels pleasantly strategic.
There are snacks and light bites, plus private masterclasses and function packages for bigger gatherings.
I like that the whole setup feels more like a neighbourhood hangout than a polished tourist attraction.
The catch is the public schedule. Regular bar hours are only Friday and Saturday, so spontaneous midweek gin missions will need a backup plan.
Customer Reviews
“My favourite gin distillery!”
My favourite gin distillery! Love the gins, particularly the London dry and the Disco Flamingo pink gin. Did the cocktail master class, which was so much fun. New favourite cocktail is the ‘gin-a-rita’. Yum. Highly recommend a visit here. Super friendly staff, and Jane is a master distiller.
— Jackie Greenwood | Google Review
“You can really see the care that goes into every detail”
Had an incredible afternoon at Unexpected Guest for their gin tasting experience with Jamie and the team. A fantastic mix of knowledge, passion and creativity, with each gin beautifully presented and explained. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and you can really see the care that goes into every detail. Highly recommend for anyone who loves great gin, good company and a unique tasting experience.
— Paul J | Google Review