Botanica Spirits & Food Festival

Overview

Melbourne is blessed to host stacks of booze-filled festivals — either championing wine, beer, sake or gin. But the new Botanica Spirits & Food Festival is going after all the hard liquors, with over 20 Australian distilleries taking part this year.

To get involved, you just need to book one of the four-hour slots at Timber Yard on Saturday, August 17 or Sunday, August 19, and then get ready to drink. You'll be sampling award-winning gins, vodkas, rums, whiskeys, liqueurs, and more during your four-hour session, perhaps also buying a few bottles to take home at the end of it.

A bunch of food trucks and stalls will also be set up in the yard, helping you line your stomachs with plenty of tasty treats. Most notably, the 100% indigenous-owned, women-led and LGBTQIA+ Mabu Mabu will be on site during both days, serving a few Aussie delicacies. This includes native pepperberry-fried crocodile with crispy saltbush and pulled kangaroo nachos with desert lime guacamole. 

The $60 Botanica Spirits & Food Festival ticket gives you access to these food trucks, plus four hours of tastings, entry to talks and masterclasses, a tote bag and your own glass. Live music will also feature throughout the weekend, so be sure to take some time relaxing out in the yard with drinks and eats in-hand — let's just pray for good weather.