Mr Black Festival of the Espresso Martini

Overview

We get it. Everyone loves an espresso 'tini. Melbourne's got a bar that even does them on tap — and Sydney has a whole venue dedicated to that God-sent concoction of chilled coffee and vodka. After Melbourne nabbed the country's very first espresso martini festival last year, Sydney's getting in on the action with its own dedicated event in The Rocks this May. Sleep, who needs it?

The festival, to be held in the Overseas Passenger Terminal on May 26 and 27, is being gifted to our espresso-loving, cocktail-filled city by the caffeinated folks at Mr Black, a NSW-based cold-pressed (and damn fine) coffee liqueur. In short, they know how to capitalise on our weaknesses and we're not even mad about it. The affair will involve some of Australia's best coffee suppliers, cafes and bars, and will come together to create a beautiful array of alcoholic caffeinated beverages. As with any festival of this kind, there will be plenty of optional food and drink from Mary's, Loving Earth Chocolate, Young Henrys and Byron Bay Cookie Co.

The festival will run during the first weekend of Vivid Sydney, so you can pair your Darling Harbour light-chasing with a 'tini or two. Tickets will set you back $30 (plus booking fee) a pop, with the first 200 tickets sold including a complimentary espresso martini. Can't argue with that.

Image: Nikki To.