Wine, Gin & Beer Experiences in Melbourne's CBD, Southbank & Docklands

Choosing a Tasting Experience

Tasting rather than mixing is the point of these sessions, and in this part of Melbourne both are found in the CBD, a few blocks apart on the grid north of the river. One is a distillery making its own gin; the other is a cocktail bar whose team hosts gin and whisky flights.

Weigh the two on these points:

Made on site: Little Lon Distilling Co. distils small-batch gin in a cottage at 17 Casselden Pl, its copper pot still Yokohama standing in a former bedroom.
Spirits covered: Bar 1806 at 169 Exhibition St pours gin and whisky, the whisky running from four introductory styles to cask finishes and rarer drams.
Format: Little Lon's 90-minute Gin Masterclass works through all four core gins, while Bar 1806's gin tasting pours four gins after a gin and tonic on arrival.
Timing: Little Lon's classes run on Saturday afternoons from 1pm and 3pm, with Sunday dates for groups of at least eight.
Budget: entry prices are From $70 per person at Bar 1806 against From $95 per person for the Little Lon class.

Either suits a birthday, hens or bucks group, or a work outing after something more social than a round at the bar – Little Lon's events team builds packages for those occasions, and Bar 1806 has three private spaces to move into afterwards.

CBD, Southbank & Docklands Wine, Gin & Beer Experiences

Story-led: Little Lon names its gins after characters from the lane's red-light past, among them Ginger Mick and Miss Yoko.
Behind the scenes: the still room is part of Little Lon's masterclass tour, and the session wraps up with a cocktail you pick yourself.
Whisky too: Bar 1806 adds whisky to the menu, so a group split between gin and whisky drinkers is covered.
Old-world setting: Bar 1806 is fitted out with chandeliers and period furnishings, and revives forgotten classics on its menu.

Planning a group tasting

Little Lon's heated gin garden is mostly undercover and suits bigger parties, while the cottage works for intimate gatherings.
A private meeting space sits above Little Lon's garden for groups that want a room of their own.
Bar 1806's Main Bar and Dress Circle take 40 to 60 guests, and The Understudy below has its own bar and mixologist.
Walk-ins are welcome at Little Lon's cocktail bar and distillery door from Tuesday to Saturday afternoons, useful for a look before booking.

Common Questions About Tasting Experiences

Can our group do a whisky tasting instead of gin?

Yes, at Bar 1806. The bar team's whisky line-up climbs from four introductory styles to cask finishes and rare aged drams, whereas Little Lon Distilling Co. sticks with the gins it makes.

What happens in the Little Lon Gin Masterclass?

You start with a gin and tonic, taste the four core gins with a guide, hear the story of gin, the lane and the cottage, take a look at the distillery and finish with a cocktail of your choice. It runs for 90 minutes.

Can a tasting be paired with a cocktail class?

Both venues teach cocktails as well. Bar 1806 runs beginner, advanced and martini masterclasses, and Little Lon Distilling Co. has a Cocktail Masterclass for eight or more, made with its house gins.

How much do these spirit tastings cost?

Expect From $70 per person at Bar 1806, where a welcome drink or canapés can be added, and From $95 per person at Little Lon Distilling Co.

Wine, Gin & Beer Experiences in CBD, Southbank & Docklands

Compare CBD, Southbank & Docklands Wine, Gin and Beer Experiences