Since 2017, Fossey’s Distillery has become known for their careful and imaginative approach to small-batch gin, vodka, whisky and rum. The city crowd unable to get up to the Mallee can now experience the distillery’s second location in Carlton.

Entering the bluestone building on Lygon Street, you’ll find a boutique distillery with exposed brick walls, floorboards and, if you look closer, a giant copper still behind the bar. Sample the finest house-made Fossey’s gins with a healthy dose of local botanicals, such as desert lime and pepperberry, alongside some less obvious flavours such as hot cross bun and Christmas pudding.

Head upstairs for tastings at the cocktail bar that weaves some 24 house spirits. The share plate menu is booze-friendly, in that it both complements and uses the house spirits. You might find fries alongside rum-infused sauce; cider-marinated pork belly with gin-pickled vegetables; or baked Camembert topped with malt honey glaze and crushed pistachios.