Upcoming Events: October 2016

Handpicked Wine Wedding

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Drinks you eat? Bitter is better? Secret after-midnight social clubs? Get into the swing of Spring with our picks of the elegantly soused soirees and cocktail celebrations happening in Melbourne this month.

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1. Margarita who? It’s International Paloma Appreciation Week! Drink up on Tromba tequila + grapefruit soda + lime + salt and then donate to charity: water at venues like Paco’s Tacos, Union Hotel Windsor, The Smith, Hello Jose, Goldilocks, Mamacita and Loop Roof. Closing party on Saturday at Waterslide too. Just add tacos.

Sunday 9 – Saturday 15 October / Global

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2. We’ve got no cold feet about attending these nuptials. Handpicked Wines is hosting a ‘Wine Wedding’ to celebrate the union of Pinot Noir and Marsanne grapes in its Spring/Summer release rose. There will be no stuffy ceremonies or sappy vows. Instead there will be masterclasses, tastings, toasties and wedding favours all set against a soundtrack of RRR-approved disco and soul at this town’s freshest (Airstream, rooftop) hotel.

Thursday 13 October / Melbourne CBD / Bookings

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3. Being sweet all the time is boring. Take a walk on the savoury side – and go way beyond Campari – with Nieuw Amsterdam’s ‘Embrace the Bitterness’ masterclass. Get to know complex digestifs such as Amaros Averna, Braulio or Cynar over a languid lunch.

Saturday 15 October / Melbourne CBD / Bookings

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4. Especially for committed night owls and hospo ghouls comes the debut of ‘Late Night Harlem Supper Club’. In the wee hours of the morning find like-minded insomniacs, a three course feast by the acclaimed Oter’s head chef and matched Campari cocktails.

Sunday 16 October / Melbourne CBD / Bookings

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5. Saint Lucia have instituted Summer Sundays to welcome back Caribbean-worthy weather to Melbourne (soon {we hope}). They are mixing up cocktail pitchers of spiced rum punch and blonde sangria at special prices and shareable seafood platters to pick over. The hardest part is choosing where to sit; streetside for prime people-spotting or in the cosy courtyard for a private paradise vibe?

Sunday 16 October / Windsor

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6. Bars Lily Blacks and Loop Roof along with a bunch of other happy-making venues of Meyers Place bring back their Latin Fiesta once again. Expect much merry food and dancing and get ready for a whole lot of Sunday session sangrias too.

Sunday 16 October / Melbourne CBD / Bookings

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7. We would have cocktails for breakfast, lunch and tea if we (and our livers) could get away with it. Happily the dream is one step closer to reality thanks to Bottoms Up Bartenders presenting ‘Edible Cocktails’ at Loch & Key. Get experimental with drinks in anything but their traditional liquid form. Alcoholic spaghetti anyone?

Sunday 16th October / Melbourne CBD / Bookings

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8. How amazing does a Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Martini sound? Get into those as Four Pillars takes its custom cocktails to a four-course gin dinner at Circa, the Prince.

Wednesday 19 October / St Kilda / Bookings

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9. Melbourne’s first Junipalooza – the original version from old London town, not to be confused with Juniperlooza next month – is here! It’s a celebration of local and international gins with a little help from The Gin Queen. Day one is already sold out but there are still some spots left for the final day.

Sunday 23 October / North Melbourne / Bookings

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10. Work up a thirst with some competitive grape-stomping and then drink all of the vin and eat all of the fromage at the Wine and Cheese Fest. Learn about organic wines, about aging wines and how to match cheese and wine. There’ll be live jazz and DJs too.

Sunday 23 October / Williamstown / Bookings

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Got an event happening in November or December 2016? Let us spread the love: sarah@drinkmelbourne.com.au