Good news, gin lovers, there’s a new distillery in town. There may be plenty of competition in the Harbour City when it comes to botanical spirits, but master distiller Odelia Potts and general manager Benjamin Moechtar aren’t pulling any punches with their new upmarket boutique distillery and bar in the heart of Kings Cross.
This trendy gin joint, tucked away on the laneway of Llankelly Place near Macleay Street, combines Art Deco chic with industrial swagger – brushed gold, polished marble and leather upholstery shoulder to shoulder with exposed brick, unfinished girders and concrete terrazzo floors. The location of the distillery, like many of the buildings in this notorious corner of the city, has a colourful past, having been a speakeasy in the 1960s and an X-rated book store in the 1970s. A little wink to that naughty history can be found in the back bar, which features a risqué wall of nude pin-up photography.
It's clear that the Kings Cross Distillery team have thought carefully about how this venue can evoke the rich history of its neighbourhood while still keeping pace with Sydneysiders' expectations of an inner-city bar. There's welcoming alfresco seating, comfy booths, a designer cocktail list and crowd-pleasing share platters, but there's also a distinctly indulgent side to the menu for those who want to lean into the 'Golden Mile' vibes, including caviar available in 10g serves. For any patrons thirsty for a dram of something other than gin, there’s also a “whisky library” available, hand-selected by the head distiller, as well as a selection of fine wines curated by noted sommelier and former judge of the Australian Wine List of the Year, Ben Moechtar.
You can purchase the full range of Kings Cross Distillery products from the bar, including its Navy Strength Garden Island Gin, Classic Dry Gin, and a unique vegan chocolate and gin ganache. And of course, no distillery worth its salt in this day and age is without its very own brand of hand san – KXD's is scented with lavender and eucalyptus.