Spirits & Bites @ Barangaroo
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https://ginevents.com.au/spirits-and-bites-at-barangaroo/
Date Reviewed: 14/11/2025
Gin Events’ I transformed Manjit’s Restaurant in Sydney's Darling Harbour, into a harbourfront tasting room for two hours of premium spirits and roving canapés. With over 70 offerings from 18 local and international producers, the event catered to both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers.
Exhibitors included Prohibition Liquor, Karu Distillery, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Great Ocean Road Gin, Hickson House Distillery and Hugo Vodka amongst others. On offer, over a two-hour ticketed session, generous sampling of gin, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, ouzo, grappa, and liqueurs, paired with Long Rays mixers. While Schibello espresso was a suggested palate cleanser, I completely missed it on my way out.
Manjit’s kitchen delivered a varied menu. In between spirit tastings, I enjoyed spiced venison, chicken tikka bites, tempura prawns, lamb kebabs, not to mention the fresh naans and piping hot samosas. The restaurant’s layout made it tricky for servers to get from the kitchen and make their way to the patrons enjoying their tasting around the expo tables. For those towards the opposite end of the venue might have experienced a longer wait for canapés if they didn’t make their way towards the waitstaff. There was however ample seating for people to catch their breath and hydrate throughout the session.
Spirits & Bites @ Barangaroo’s strength lay in its informal engagement. My favourite aspect of events like these is the interactiveness and storytelling between exhibitors and patrons. At Kendor Distillery’s stall, we bonded over the power of a good ‘mo and their brand’s backstory - compelling enough to prompt a seven-bottle special bundle. At this time of year, our collection will be well suited for a cheeky G&T for Christmas lunch or even a Secret Santa present. As someone who revels in gins with Australian native botanicals, I was also delighted to nab Gindu’s award-winning Coastal gin inspired by the cool beaches in Victoria.
Compared to larger-scale events like the upcoming Christmas Good Food & Wine Show, the ticket price might cause some to pause, given #cozzielivs. Personally, I’d have loved a printed tasting guide to track favourites or plan a route. A few tweaks to the event such as structured tasting notes, a tailored wayfinding map by spirit type or by distillery of choice, and a clear listing of the event’s exclusive specials, might help justify the premium and make Spirits & Bites, an annual staple on Sydney’s tasting calendar ahead of the festive season.
If you’re ready for an indulgent experience for your taste buds, the Gin Events 2025-6 calendar is out with events across major capital cities.