Queen Victoria Market's Australian Sake Festival

Overview

The annual Australian Sake Festival is heading to Queen Victoria Market again this winter, seeking to warm us all up with sake samples. It's all happening across three sessions on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, and will include twice as many stalls as last year — highlighting the meteoric rise of sake in Melbourne.

There are more than 200 different sakes on the menu this year, spread across more than 50 individual vendors. And, you'll be happy to know, your ticket gives you access to all of them. Food stalls will also be slinging plenty of noodles, yakitori, waffles and gelato, plus vegan and vegetarian options.

There are also free sake seminars, pairing sessions and panel talks by industry professionals.

Tickets start at $69, but that includes a fair bit. You'll get unlimited sake tastings, a sake glass to take home, free sips of fruit liquors and other spirits, and plenty of live entertainment. These will be boozy arvos, so plan your return journey accordingly.