Melbourne Zoo Is Hosting Its First Roar and Pour Beer and Spirit Festival, Complete with After-Dark Animal Encounters
Spanning sips, rare animal encounters and open-air fun, this new event offers a wildly entertaining time.
You've probably heard of Melbourne Zoo's long-running Roar 'n Snore sleepovers. However, now there's a new way to meet the animals, with the launch of the first-ever Roar and Pour – a two-day beer and spirits festival set in the lush surrounds of the zoo. Held from Friday, March 21–Saturday, March 22, this evening encounter offers the chance to get up close with quality local and interstate brewers and distillers alongside the full range of animals after hours.
With the sun just dipping beneath the horizon, you're invited to roam Melbourne Zoo's winding trails to catch rare glimpses of the animals kicking back at dusk – or bursting into activity. With many creatures only then finding their voice, the landscape comes to life with fascinating sounds. Though gates normally close at 5pm, this behind-the-scenes experience is a special opportunity to admire the animals from a different perspective.
Over on the lawns, a dozen or so top-notch drink makers are getting down for this one-of-a-kind experience, including Kaiju Beer, Tallboy and Moose, Grainery Lane, Inner North Brewing Co, Brewmanity Beer Co and Watts River Brewing. For a bite to eat, head to the zoo's Picnic Lawns and Rail Gate Café for tasty snacks. Plus, an exclusive Coffee For Wildlife pop-up will shake up impactful espresso martinis using the zoo's in-house beans.
Once you've finished meeting the animals, Roar and Pour also features a host of outdoor games, rides and entertainment primed for all-age fun. On the agenda are carousel rides, classic lawn games, serenity-inducing live acoustic music and even a silent disco. The zookeepers will also deliver a program of fascinating animal talks focused on lemurs, giraffes and lions throughout the night.
If this beer and spirit festival seems up your alley, all adult tickets include a special tasting cup, which you can use to access free tastings from all drinks vendors spread across the zoo lawns. With visitors contributing to Zoos Victoria's efforts to save local wildlife from extinction, you can feel pretty good about spending the evening indulging in a choice beer or spirit as you get acquainted with the wildlife.
Roar and Pour is happening at Melbourne Zoo across Friday, March 21–Saturday, March 22 from 5.30pm–9.30pm. Head to the website for more information.
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