Yarra Valley-based distiller Four Pillars has opened its first Sydney outpost, with the launch of the Four Pillars Laboratory in Surry Hills.
Housed in the 1930s Bussell Brothers building, the Four Pillars Laboratory celebrates all things gin and incorporates a Gin Shop, Gin Lab and Eileen’s Bar, a destination cocktail bar named after co-founder Matt Jones’ mother.
Jones said the overall vision was to create a new “bucket-list destination for gin fanatics around the world”.
“At our Four Pillars Distillery home in Healesville, Cameron [Mackenzie] and his team make the best gin in the world,” he said.
“When we thought about what we wanted to bring to Sydney, we were determined to take that same passion for making, creativity and experimentation and focus it on the delicious drinks you can make with our gins.
“And we wanted to serve it all up with our signature love of warm hospitality and beautiful design.”
Inside, an 11-metre concrete bar takes centre stage, while banquet seating lines the perimeter of the venue.
The Laboratory offers a number of opportunities for corporate groups, whether its a private gin masterclass or maker session with one of the venue’s distillers, or a venue takeover for events of up to 100 guests.
The drinks menu combines gin classics and modern cocktails utilising the full Four Pillars family of gins.
Highlights include Money Trees, featuring Navy Strength Gin, Kakadu plum, kiwifruit and lime leaf; Innerbloom, with Davidson plum, macadamia and blood lime mixed with Modern Australian Gin; and the Gin Lab Martini featuring the new Sydney Winter Gin made on-site.
Chef Matt Wilkinson has devised a drink-friendly menu that features multiple gin-focused products such as salt and gin vinegar crisps and Jimmy’s Taramasalata with Yarra Valley gin-smoked caviar, steak and pepper party pies or a gin lab jaffle with mortadella and mozzarella.
Eileen’s Bar opens from 5pm until midnight, Wednesday through Saturday, while private bookings can be made on Monday through Thursday.
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