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Starward Distillery & Bar

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Pricing: From $49 per personCategory: Wine, Gin & Beer ExperiencesLocation: 50 Bertie St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

Highlights

  • Guided tours of a working whisky distillery in Port Melbourne, tasting three whiskies in 45 minutes
  • Longer masterclass with a barrel hall visit and a seven-whisky barrel tasting
  • Hands-on cocktail class where you shake one signature serve and stir another

About Starward Distillery & Bar

Starward makes Australian whisky at 50 Bertie St in Port Melbourne, in a large warehouse that doubles as a bar. The distillery is known for maturing its spirit in red wine barrels sourced from nearby wineries, and it credits Melbourne's changeable weather for speeding up how the whisky draws flavour from the wood. Guests can watch the working stills from the bar, which serves cocktails and light bites. There are a few ways for a group to experience it. The standard distillery tour lasts 45 minutes, walks you through how the whisky is made and finishes with a tasting of three whiskies. The Whisky Masterclass and Barrel Tasting runs for two and a half hours, heads into the barrel hall and works through seven whiskies, including tastings drawn from the barrel. The cocktail class is a one-hour, hands-on session where you learn the techniques behind two signature drinks, one shaken and one stirred. A combined afternoon with a neighbouring Port Melbourne brewery, starting with lunch there before a tour and tasting at Starward, is also offered. For celebrations, the events team runs private distillery tours and tastings for larger groups, partial hire for birthdays, engagements and anniversaries, and corporate functions in its function rooms, with exclusive hire of the whole indoor venue for big events. Food and cocktails are part of the event packages. As the venue serves alcohol, visitors must be 18 or older. The bar opens Thursday to Sunday, so plan tours and parties around those days.

Inclusions & amenities

Activity type

Wine, Gin & Beer ExperiencesCocktail Classes

Price range (per person)

Under $50pp

Setting

Indoor

Ages

Adults Only

Pricing

Distillery tour from $49 per person (45 minutes, three whiskies). Whisky Masterclass and Barrel Tasting from $160 (2.5 hours, seven whiskies). Cocktail class from $99 (1 hour, two cocktails). Brewery-and-distillery afternoon from $90. Private events quoted on enquiry.

Food

The bar serves light bites, and private event packages include food options; the combined brewery experience starts with lunch at the neighbouring brewery.

Beverages

Starward whiskies and whisky cocktails from the distillery bar; tours and classes include tastings or cocktails made during the session.

Availability

MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday12PM – 6PM
Friday12PM – 9PM
Saturday12PM – 9PM
Sunday12PM – 6PM
Open Thursday to Sunday; closed Monday to Wednesday. Tours and classes are booked online, and private events, partial or exclusive hire go through the events team.

What's Included

Distillery tour: a guided walk through the working distillery and a three-whisky tasting. Masterclass: barrel hall visit and seven-whisky tasting. Cocktail class: hands-on making of two signature cocktails.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Starward distillery tour?

The guided distillery tour starts from $49 and lasts 45 minutes, finishing with a tasting of three whiskies. The masterclass with barrel tasting starts from $160 for 2.5 hours, and the cocktail class starts from $99 for an hour.

Can we book a private tour for a group?

Yes. A private distillery tour and tasting is offered for larger groups, covering how the whisky is made followed by a guided pour of two or three signature whiskies. Enquire through the private events team to arrange it.

What happens in the cocktail class?

It is a one-hour, hands-on class behind the bar where you learn to make two Starward signature cocktails, one shaken and one stirred, picking up the techniques and small details that make a well-balanced drink.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Starward is a licensed distillery and visitors must be 18 or over to enter the site or take part in tours, tastings and cocktail classes, in line with responsible service of alcohol rules.

When is the distillery and bar open?

The contact page lists the Distillery and Bar as closed Monday to Wednesday, open Thursday 3pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 10pm, and Sunday 12pm to 7pm. Table bookings can be made online.

Where we are

Suitable occasions

Kate Melbourne

Kate Melbourne

2 months ago

My mum and I had a fantastic time at Starward distillery. We are not usually big whisky drinkers but mum was determined to find the one she liked! The staff were super patient, knowledgeable and kind. Killian gave us a g…

C S

C S

4 months ago

What an incredible evening! I had the pleasure of attending the whisky distillery event last night, and it exceeded every expectation yet again. A huge congratulations to David for creating such a welcoming and memorabl…

Anthony G

Anthony G

6 months ago

Great service and knowledge. Great snacks to go with their unique and quality whiskey! Nice vibe and space. Bring a group :)

Larissa Madigan (Liss)

Larissa Madigan (Liss)

8 months ago

I took my husband here for the distillery tour as Starward is his favourite! We both thoroughly enjoyed the tour and tasting and stayed for a couple of Cocktails afterwards. Lovely products, gorgeous environment and ente…

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