This weekend is a long one – all the better to settle in with a G&T. Saturday 8th of May is also World Gin Day so there’s extra reason to seek out and support an Australian craft gin distiller. Here are the World Gin Day events happening in Melbourne and across Victoria in 2024.

World Gin Day with Saint Felix at Maggie’s. Photography: Blake Alcock.

Maggie’s Snacks and Liquor in Brunswick East is inviting Mordialloc-based distillery Saint Felix around to her place for World Gin Day. You in? I sure am! It’s a tasting + talk about 4 Saint Felix distillates with maker Xavier Nalty and cocktailer Kevin Griffin Maggie’s will bring the gin-friendly snacks. You bring your juniper-loving friends. 2-4pm. Details/tix.

WIN: Maggie’s has kindly given us a double pass to their World Gin Day celebrations to give away to a lucky DrinkMelbournite. Enter in seconds here.

Say ¡olé! to World Gin Day. Sky-high Spanish joint Sorolla, at AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank, is debuting a new series of Free Flow Fiestas this Saturday. This means a Euro Summer atmosphere with bottomless Patient Wolf G&Ts for 90 minutes alongside tapas/pintxos by chef Ryan Flaherty. They will mix up three different G&T expressions for the session – classic, summery and Pinot Noir versions. 6.30pm. Details/tix.

Over at Brogan’s Way Distillery in Richmond, they’re tripping through time with a menu of historic gin cocktails and personal charcuterie boards. Clover Club, Gin Daisy, Bramble or Negroni: Which era are you in? Details/tix.

Four Pillars has invited four local gin distilleries – Island Gin, Gallivanter Gin by Itinerant Spirits, Naught and Mary Monica – to share their Healesville space with free tastings. Four Pillars will serve up cocktails made with their latest Bloody Shiraz Gin vintage (debuting to the public on the day) and host Bloody Cocktail workshops. We hear rumours that there will be caviar “fairy bread” with Yarra Valley Bloody Shiraz Gin caviar to bite too. All day. Details/tix.

Down the coast at Dromana, Bass & Flinders seem to be throwing a mini two-day festival (we like their style). Expect live music, food trucks, free tastings, gin high teas, painting and explore their new season cocktail menu. Plus, plenty of mulled gin to keep you warm too. All day. Details/tix.

Barossa Distiling Co comes to Melbourne for one day only. Specifically to the lounge at Casa de Vinos in South Melbourne. Over an afternoon of tastings, sample the South Australian distillery’s range neat, in cocktails and G&Ts to find your preference. Cheese and charcuterie will keep your spirits up. 2pm. Details/tix.

Escape to Juniper Island! How could one resist such an invitation from Gin Palace? They’ve rounded up Dutch Rules, Brogan’s Way, Kinobi, Prohibition, Brookie’s and Seven Seasons and will transform their bar into a wonderland for beach babes. Aside from buy one, get one free martinis, negronis and G&Ts until 7pm, expect surprises , complimentary snacks, oysters and paradise vibes until 3am. 2.30pm. Details.

There will be a Battle of the Gins at Fossey’s in Carlton with Patient Wolf, Little Lon and the host distiller fighting it out for the title of the day’s best gin. You be the judge. Enjoy tastings and gin trivia and the supreme power of voting. Don’t let it all go to your head. 6.30pm. Details/tix.

Bar Ampere is letting Four Pillars’ Creative Director Nick Tesar take over The Swamp Room for a one-night-only menu of gin-meets-Marionette cocktails. 8pm. Details.

P.S. The Craft & Co Collingwood is doing $8 G&Ts all day. Naught are offering free G&Ts on arrival and 20% off bottles at their Eltham venue. Meanwhile Beneath Driver Lane in the CBD is championing Archie Rose – every drink purchased earns you a spin of the wheel to win Archie Rose prizes.

Free Flow Fiesta with Patient Wolf at Sorolla.