Overview
Gin lovers rejoice — Four Pillars is opening its Surry Hills digs on Friday, June 12. Since launching in 2013, Four Pillars has given Aussie gin lovers plenty to drink, including its famed Bloody Shiraz Gin, an annual Christmas-themed tipple, barrel-aged gins and even a boozy ode to Melbourne landmark The Espy. Now, Sydneysiders will be sipping the world's best gin straight from the source.
It's been months of anticipation, with the Yarra Valley gin distillery announcing plans for its first permanent Sydney spot back in September last year. Part distillery, part small bar and part retail space, The Four Pillars Gin Lab is located inside a 1930s warehouse on Crown Street (across the road from Bartolo and Bills).
The space will be the new home for Eileen: the distillery's 70-litre still. This means small batches of gin will be made on site — and you can get in on the action, too, with The Lab hosting masterclasses, tastings and gin gatherings in the space. For the launch, 60-minute masterclasses will be on offer for $75, which includes a G&T, tasting four gins and a tour.
Step through a discreet door on the corner of Fitzroy and Crown Streets, ascend the stairwell and you'll find Eileen's Bar: the on-site speakeasy. Expect plenty of G&Ts, martinis and negronis, plus a selection of beer, cider and wine. There'll also be limited food menu — think jaffles and crinkle-cut crisps — put together by chef Matt Wilkinson, who previously headed up Made Establishment's now-closed restaurant Crofter.
Steven Woodburn
On opening weekend (June 12–13), Eileen's will be open for a maximum of 24 people, with 90-minute sittings available from 5pm, 7pm and 9pm on both days. To nab your seat at the bar, subscribe here and ticketing information will be emailed to you on June 1. For future bookings, email EileensBar@fourpillarsgin.com.au.
If all of that isn't enough to excite you, you'll also be able to pick up all of Four Pillars' made-from-gin products (we're talking marmalade, Gin Pig salami and Hunted & Gathered chocolate), merchandise, books, bar kits and, of course, gins from the adjoining Gin Shop.
The Four Pillars Gin Lab is opening on Friday, June 12 at 410 Crown Street, Surry Hills. The Gin Lab and Gin Shop will be open every day from 10am–6pm; Eileen's Bar will be open from 5pm–12am, Wednesday–Saturday. Masterclasses will run on Friday at 4pm and 6pm, on Saturday and 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, Sunday at 2pm and 4pm and bookings can be made by sydlab@fourpillarsgin.com.au.
Top images: Cameron Mackenzie, James Irvine, Stu Gregor and Matt Jones; martini; salt and gin vinegar chips and G&T by Steven Woodburn; G&T.