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When craft distillery Poor Toms launched its crowd-funded cellar door in a small, industrial warehouse 10 years ago, it was the first of its kind in Marrickville. A decade on, and Sydney’s inner west has become a hub of independent distilleries, with eight producers of gin, vodka, whisky and rum attracting visitors from across the country.

Over the past two years, the industry has welcomed newcomers such as Unexpected Guest (Marrickville), Red Mill Rum (Rozelle) and Ester (Marrickville) and begun plans to launch the Inner West Distillery Trail – a spin-off from the popular Inner West Ale Trail, a self-guided walking tour connecting 18 craft breweries, which relaunched in October.

Meanwhile, Poor Toms owners Jesse Kennedy and Griffin Blumer have prepared to realise a long-held dream: to reopen their pioneering micro-distillery in a bigger, better space, with an extensive cocktail menu, sit-down meals, and a stacked line-up of events.

Poor Toms plans to launch its 100-seat bar and restaurant in a former steel foundry on Marrickville’s Brompton Street in late January, in partnership with Ben Fester and Drew Huston of acclaimed Haymarket pizzeria City Oltra.

It’s a game-changer for the brand. Where their previous outpost was small, enclosed and limited to serving toasted sandwiches, the new Poor Toms features a fully equipped kitchen for both pizzas and pub-style mains, a dog-friendly outdoor courtyard, and a long bar showcasing both Poor Toms spirits (across a variety of negronis, martinis and fruit-based cocktails) and local independent beer and winemakers.

“When we first started the gin distillery, our ultimate goal was to create a sanctuary for people to come, have a good time, and feel like they could express themselves,” Blumer says.

“This is the realisation of that 10-year urge.”

For Blumer, that means more opportunities to host “makers markets, one-off dance parties and food events, making this into a bit of a town square for all of the things the community wants to do”.

Poor Toms’ community-led approach may be one secret to the success of Inner West distilleries, which present an affordable and approachable entry point to the world of artisan spirits. Unlike traditional cocktail bars, distillery cellar doors offer a casual, (mostly) dog-and-child-friendly environment, with unfussy cocktails and events geared towards locals.

At Unexpected Guest, trivia nights with themed cocktails and pop-up wedding ceremonies have become sell-out hits. The character-filled barrel hall of Red Mill Rum recently welcomed the community to two packed open days, ahead of its official to-be-confirmed launch. And at Ester, 2025 means pop-up events with women-led hospitality businesses such as Aplenty and Babs, and further demystifying the craft of cocktail-making.

“We really want our bartenders to simplify the process and make it accessible to people that are drinking with us,” says Corinna Kovner, who operates Ester with co-founder Felix Clark.

“It’s the casualisation of cocktails.”

The Inner West Distillery Trail is still in the early development stage, being created with the Inner West Council. Kovner says it may launch towards the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, plan your own craft crawl to these eight distilleries.

Poor Toms

The first phase of the new Poor Toms bar and restaurant is warm, earthy and welcoming, filled with the familiar greenery of its predecessor. Keep an eye on socials for pop-ups ahead of the official opening in late January.

Must try: The pina colada gin is a standout, described as “if a young George Clooney spent his gap year in Ibiza”.

Building 3/10 Brompton St, Marrickville, poortoms.com

Red Mill Rum

Rum is in the Fesq family blood. David Fesq opened Red Mill Rum in White Bay in 2024, reviving the brand his great-grandfather George “Bunny” Fesq established in 1933. The distillery has been approved to open a cellar door later this year, and does private tours by appointment. Keep an eye on socials for open days.

Must try: The spiced rum is a blend of classic and coconut rum, with hints of cinnamon, hibiscus and pineapple.

176 Mullens St, Rozelle, redmillrum.com.au

Ester

A hidden bar in Marrickville, with serve-yourself deli snacks and some pretty special spirits (their Spiced Cane Spirit was recently crowned world-best at the World Rum Awards). Each seasonal cocktail menu showcases one product, made three ways, from lychee-spiked martinis to gelato-filled sgroppinos.

Must try: The limited release pre-mixed cocktail Lychee Pavlova Smash combines their signature gin with a triple sec made using recovered oranges, and it’s been a big hit.

31 Chalder Street, Marrickville, esterspirits.com.au

Unexpected Guest

A colourful cellar door, walking distance from the Sydenham metro station, where you can sink into a mid-century modern sofa, martini in hand, and listen to a vinyl record. Book in advance for their “Unexpected Trivia” nights, which feature themed cocktails.

Must try: Clementine’s American Gin is an example of “new wave” gin, going light on the juniper in favour of bright lavender and citrus notes.

12 Cadogan Street, Marrickville, unexpectedguest.com.au

Otter Craft Distilling (Bar 26)

Venture off the beaten track, to an industrial street in Lilyfield, to find this small neighbourhood bar showcasing spirits made by brother-and-sister team Eduard and Julie Otter. Settle in for the night with a range of cocktails (including a tiramisu martini) and pizzas.

Must try: Their range of limited-release whisky is available to try from $12.50, allowing visitors to experience how flavours can vary depending on maturation and across different casks.

26-30 Halloran Street, Lilyfield, bar26.com.au

Blackwattle Distilling Co.

A small gin and vodka distillery behind a line-up of pot plants in the White Bay Steelworks courtyard, where you can drop in for a weekend tasting or book in advance for a tour.

Must try: The blend of botanicals in their O.P Sydney Gin aims to capture the essence of the Inner West, and recently started pouring at three-hatted Stanmore restaurantSixpenny.

Steelworks Courtyard, 26f Mansfield Street, Rozelle, blackwattledistillery.com.au

Moonshiner

A friendly, fun stop near The Grifter brewery, serving a range of bold gins flavoured with cherry, native spices or pomegranate. Score a seat outside for prime people watching, as punters traverse the surrounding Ale Trail.

Must try: The Lennox Street Nocino Walnut Gin is toasty, bitter and delicious with a splash of soda.

407B Enmore Rd, Marrickville, moonshiner.com.au

Eureka Distilling

Formerly known as Mobius, the small Marrickville shed where Eureka Distilling operates is only open to the public for the occasional art exhibition or community event. But you’ll find their products stocked in a wide variety of bottle shops, including Dan Murphy’s.

Must try: The much-awarded Moreau Apple Pie Liqueur is a delicious addition to any cocktail trolley, great with iced ginger ale in the summer and hot toddies in the winter.

110 Renwick St, Marrickville, eurekadistilling.com