Storytellers Distillery to host pop-up gin bar inside State Library of SA’s Mortlock Chamber

Enjoy a tipple while you read? State Library of SA is opening up its iconic Mortlock Chamber for a first-of-its-kind pop-up gin bar this month.

Every gin has a story, so it’s only fitting for local gin producers Storytellers Distillery to share their tales and drops at a first-of-its-kind pop-up bar inside the State Library of SA’s iconic Mortlock Chamber.

Storytellers Distillery, which launched in 2020 with the motto, “every sip tells a story”, will host Storytellers Distillery @ The Mortlock from July 3-23 as part of Illuminate Adelaide’s City Lights program.

Entry is free, and gin fans will have the opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of the spirit with archival gin-related material from the library on display.

Head distiller Lachlan Gunner said he couldn’t wait to “transform the Mortlock Chamber for people to enjoy the iconic space like never before”.

Storytellers Distillery head distiller Lachlan Gunner inside Mortlock Chamber at State Library of South Australia. Picture: Dean Martin

“Our mission has always been to craft spirits that unfold stories with each sip, and this partnership with the State Library feels like a natural fit,” he said.

“We want to to be like a pit stop – for people to take a break from what’s happening outside”.

Mr Gunner will be serving up a range of Storyteller gins with mixers, such as the pictured fruit-forward grenache gin (“it’s like an adult grape fruit box”) and their strawberry gin, which is “reminiscent of a Jungle Bird cocktail”.

Library director Geoff Strempel said he invited all people to “share a story in our first pop-up gin bar, in what will be a truly unique experience”.

The bar installation also celebrates a rebirth for Storytellers, which suffered a major blow in July 2022 when a fire at a neighbouring property caused irreparable damage to its equipment and cellar door in Bowden. They continued to release their monthly Hyperseasonal series while establishing a new distillery at Thebarton.

Storytellers Distillery @ The Mortlock is on nightly from 5pm-11pm. Ticketed events will also take place at the venue throughout the festival – for more information, slsa.sa.gov.au