A Go-To Gin Guide for Spring in Melbourne

in partnership with

Melbourne's change of seasons and weather shake-ups always inspire a fresh raft of offerings and events, sending locals chasing new ways to best soak up the city. Now, after a long, sleepy winter, sights are firmly set on spring and the promise of al fresco cocktails, sunset sessions and rooftop visits that it brings. So, we've partnered with Tanqueray to pull together a lineup of activities that'll see you enjoying the best of Melbourne this season with, of course, a gin in hand.

SIP COCKTAILS ON CHAPEL STREET

Make tracks to these celebrated Melbourne bars and enjoy negronis on tap.

Melbourne has no shortage of hidden cocktail bars well worth the effort of locating, but none dish up those spring vibes quite as well as Jungle Boy. Tucked away behind a coolroom door out the back of a Chapel Street takeaway joint, this one will remind you just how strong Melbourne's bar game is. Wrangle a spot among the ferns, and get acquainted with this banger of a booze list — think, Tiki drinks in proper ceramic mugs and a stand-out Tanqueray negroni on tap.

Afterwards, cruise across the street to try for a table at fellow Windsor hotspot, Mr Miyagi. This neon-drenched bar is your go-to for mod Japanese fusion fare that pops with creativity. Feast on dishes like miso-glazed pork belly pancakes and salmon nori tacos, married with one of the bar's crafty signature gin concoctions — like a frozen G&T or salted watermelon martini.

HEAD FOR A FEAST THEN A SPOT OF THEATRE

Settle in at one of Melbourne's best fine diners for a wattle seed negroni, then see a show.

There's one surefire way to reawaken your tastebuds after a long and uninspiring Melbourne winter, and that's with a mind-blowing feed at somewhere like Lûmé. One of the city's most innovative fine diners, this South Melbourne restaurant by chef-owner Shaun Quade packs a serious punch, from the thought-provoking fare to the clever use of native ingredients to the edible herb garden gracing the back wall. Not to mention, it's also home to cocktail master Orlando Marzo, who was recently crowned the World's Best Bartender. Settle in for a pre-theatre feast, perhaps matched with a wattle seed negroni — Bar Lûmé's inventive blend of Tanqueray No. Ten, roasted wattleseed, vermouth and Campari.

After dinner, a quick stroll will bring you to Southbank bar Blondie, where you can always count on some live jazz and a top-notch gin martini. Stop in for a drink before you head to Southbank Theatre, home of the Melbourne Theatre Company, for a show — right now, compelling play The Architect (showing until Wednesday, October 31) is pulling plenty of applause.

TAKE A TRIP TO WONDERLAND

Venture down the rabbit hole at this immersive exhibition.

ACMI's Wonderland exhibition is now in its final few weeks, so it's time to pick a date and head along to check out the immersive celebration of Lewis Carroll's famed tale before it wraps on Sunday, October 7. In the spirit of spring, you can even round out your adventures with a lavish high tea as part of the exhibition's Mad Hatter sessions, featuring a spread of sweet treats, savoury nibbles and a special choc-berry brew from T2.

Afterwards, balance out your time indoors by soaking up some of that long-awaited spring sunshine, drink in hand. Sitting right in the heart of the Yarra, Ponyfish Island is a primo spot for an al fresco gin this time of year — match yours with a toasted sandwich while enjoying a spot of Southbank people-watching.

CATCH SOME EXPERIMENTAL ART, FINISH WITH ROOFTOP VIBES

Experience some of Melbourne's famous creative edge, with a visit to Flinders Lane gallery and art space Fortyfive Downstairs. Champion of the experimental, independent and often challenging, this non-profit hub is a haven for any contemporary art lover. Right now, see renowned local artist Marco Luccio's evocative ode to The Big Apple with his Manhattan Dreaming exhibition, or escape to the downstairs theatre to take in Amelia Roper's production Lottie in the Afternoon — an edgy comedy billed as having "a Seinfeld-meets-Samuel Beckett feel".

Once you're feeling sufficiently cultured and loaded with inspiration, let your hunt for a post-show tipple draw you around the corner to Siglo. The longstanding rooftop bar has undeniable charms, stellar views across to Parliament House and a penchant for well-made classic cocktails. Pull up a seat on the open-air terrace and match a few of those legendary house-made sausage rolls with a perfectly balanced negroni or gin martini.

DINE AL FRESCO BY THE RIVER

Right now, Melbourne's lauded art scene is packing even more goodness than usual, with more than 200 works from New York's iconic Museum of Modern Art on show at our own National Gallery of Victoria. You've got a couple more weeks to dive into MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art before it heads back stateside, and you don't want to miss out on a culture fix of this size. Take a friend, then debrief over a springtime jaunt through the nearby Queen Victoria Gardens.

Afterwards, a quick wander over the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge will deliver you into the arms of Arbory Bar — the riverside bar and eatery that stretches an impressive 100 metres along the Yarra. Nab yourself a prime al fresco position and launch into the new seasonal menu, filled with delights like tempura zucchini flowers and a soft shell crab salad. A couple of barrel-aged negronis, topped with Tanqueray, vermouth and Campari, should round out the fun.

Celebrate the return of warmer, sunnier days with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city.