Welcome to the Ballarat cocktail hour.
After much research (wink, wink!), here's our go-to list of bars and restaurants serving the city's top tipples.
Now all you have to decide is where to start your cocktail crawl...
Roy Hammond
24-28 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
There's a reason Ballarat locals keep on going back to Roy Hammond, starting with the next level gin, whiskey and wine selection.
The CBD bar also nails its Asian fusion-inspired delights with a Korean influence.
Keep an eye out for special offerings including $15 Margarita Mondays.
Renard
209-211 Mair St, Ballarat
Described as "a bistro-esque discotheque, of sorts", Renard serves up killer cocktails alongside contemporary bistro dishes.
"Our aim is to create and serve drinks that bridge the gap between accessible and intrigue," says the Renard team.
"We aim to use seasonal and native ingredients, minimise waste, and push boundaries with our cocktail list."
Pancho
213 Mair St, Ballarat
For a South American flavour hit, make your way to Pancho.
Team your margaritas and pisco sours with tostadas, arepas and tacos and you're guaranteed a night to remember.
Grainery Lane
35 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Celebrate the glitz and glamour of the city’s gold rush era at the lavish Grainery Lane.
This saloon-style distillery and cocktail bar is all about showcasing local grains, herbs, berries and botanicals.
Watch on in awe as the Grainey Lane team indulge you in the artistry of mixology.
Kilderkin Distillery
14a Hill St, Ballarat
In the 1860s, Ballarat became the home of Victoria's first legal distillery, which produced gin and whisky until the mid-1930s.
Kilderkin Distillery continues that tradition today with its high-quality gins and liqueurs.
Head to Kilderkin's cellar door to try the range of botanical gins neat or in your favourite cocktails and mixers.
The Crypt
14 Camp St, Ballarat
For a unique and immersive experience, look no further than The Crypt.
Hidden away down a CBD laneway, this gothic bar's expertly-crafted cocktails are inspired by all things strange and otherworldly.
