Melbourne Cocktail Festival Year Two 2021

Back for a second year, and after one of the world's toughest lockdown, Melbourne Cocktail Festival will be back celebrating the city's unique and diverse cocktail scene from 12-18 April 2021.

Melbourne Cocktail Festival is coming back to celebrate all the great innovation, flavour and hospitality that Melbourne still has to offer. Here's everything you need to know, to get involved.

Just like last year, some of the city’s most notable bars and bartenders will be getting together to share the art of the cocktail and ensure everyone who went without bar-quality drinks last year will have their thirsts quenched. There promises to be a curated program of events across the week including the festival's signature Bar Safari, where drinkers can sample bespoke MCF cocktails created in bars across Melbourne for just $15.

Registration is still free and the MCF team are generously shouting a drink for the first 1000 people who sign up. Also included in the Bar Safari registration is a month-long 10% discount on all purchases from Good Spirits online store as well as a digital cocktail recipe book.

“At MCF, we seek to celebrate the diversity, talent and nightlife culture of our great city and know that we will rebound with resilience and continue to show the world how incredible this city and its makers are” says MCF founder Michael Bascetta.

Here's what we know of the special events so far:
Waste Not Taste Lots at Byrdi ($120pp, 17 April); a sneak peek of yet to be opened Sydney bar ‘Re, a bar by award-winning Sydneysider Matt Whiley which will focus on sustainability and reducing waste in addition to serving delicious drinks.

The Long Goodbye at Gimlet ($45pp, 12 - 18 April); One drink, three flavours, a progressive journey of the Gimlet. For the full festival week, Gimlet at Cavendish House is offering a flight of half-sized cocktails including their signature Gimlet and two new cocktails developed especially for the MCF.

Tropical Escapism at The Black Pearl ($20pp, 15 April - ticket includes complimentary arrival drink); A tropical party in the attic of the Black Pearl. Enjoy wine-based tropical cocktails by Nick Tesar of Bar Liberty and Felix Woods of Black Pearl plus food by Bar Liberty’s head chef Zackary Furst.

Good Spirits at Home; Enjoy the MCF delivered to your door anywhere in Australia. A full selection of bottled cocktails including a limited edition creation from MCF x Good Spirits and do-it-yourself packs will be available to purchase from 1 - 30 April at goodspiritstore.com.

Free registration for the Bar Safari and individual tickets for initial events will go live 12th March on melbournecocktailfestival.io. Expect weekly updates and ticket availability as more events are added closer to the launch.