Archie Rose Distillery, Rosebery, New South Wales © Archie Rose

Sydney's coolest urban distilleries

Step out to enjoy sophisticated cocktails, delicious food and behind-the-scenes tours at any one of these great urban distilleries.

By Allie Metz

Australian distillers are approaching the craft as artisans, producing thoughtfully created spirits that hero native ingredients. You'll find all your favourites, including gin, rum, vodka and whisky infused with everything from fruit and botanicals to seaweed. To make the experience even more enjoyable, these distilleries are beginning to pop up in urban areas with many of them offering unique experiences in beautifully designed spaces. Here are just a few to discover around Sydney.

Archie Rose

Archie Rose Bar, Rosebery, New South Wales © Archie Rose

Where: 85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery

The first independent distilling company to operate in Sydney since 1853, Archie Rose has truly paved the way in the city’s craft spirit revival. Located in The Cannery Rosebery, stop in at the sophisticated bar to taste any of the award-winning gins, vodkas, rums and white whiskies. You can do a tasting flight or enjoy one of their handcrafted cocktails. Go behind the scenes for an in depth look at how it’s all done by booking in for a tour and guided tasting experience. If you’re feeling inspired and ready to try your hand at crafting your own blend of gin and whisky, they also offer blending classes.

Brix Distillers

Brix Distillers, Surry Hills, New South Wales © Brix Distillers

Where: 350 Bourke St, Surry Hills

Rum aficionados should head to Surry Hills to discover Brix Distillers. This gem is a fully operational distillery and ageing facility that currently offers a core range of Brix White, Gold and Spiced, with further styles in the works. Come in and discover the beautifully designed bar that integrates the open production of the distillery into the aesthetic. The bar’s shelves are also stocked with over 150 rums from around the world and the extensive cocktail list naturally features rum-based classics. They also offer tours, cocktail classes and a rum spicing class.

Manly Spirits

Manly Spirits Co., Manly, New South Wales © Alana Dimou, Manly Spirits Co.

Where: 4A/9-13 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale

Head over the bridge to Manly to discover the perfect blend of carefree beach life and urban sophistication – in a bottle. At Manly Spirits Co. the team create Australian gins, botanical vodkas and whiskies that are inspired by the surrounding marine environment. Key ingredients include Baltic and green juniper as well as sea lettuce, kelp, lemon myrtle and wattle pollen. You can visit their tasting room and cocktail bar every for a tasting paddle or refreshing cocktail. Book in for a tour of the facilities to learn about the production or take one of their cocktail making masterclasses.

Poor Toms Gin Hall

Where: 6 Chalder Ave, Marrickville

Nestled in a quiet street in Marrickville, this distillery is bucking the trend by creating unconventional spirits – and doing it in a neighbourhood known for its craft breweries. Stop in at Poor Toms Gin Hall to taste their original Sydney Dry Gin, the 52 per cent Fool Strength gin or the unique Strawberry Gin. Truly a boutique operation, these small batch specialties often sell out. You can visit the team for a taste or cocktail from Thursday to Sunday.

Four Pillars Laboratory

Four Pillars Gin Lab, Sydney, New South Wales © Anson Smart

Where: 410 Crown St, Surry Hills

The story of Four Pillars Gin begins in the Yarra Valley, shooting to international fame with their Bloody Shiraz Gin. Today they also operate a small batch distillery and Gin Lab in Surry Hills. Whether your idea of experimenting means taking one of their masterclasses or just having a few gin and tonics at Eileen's Bar (named after their resident still), this is a gorgeous spot to explore the flavour possibilities of their signature spirits.