Meet the Great Ocean Road Gin Kitchen
If there’s one thing regional Victoria does well, it’s bars.
Be it hidden down a disused laneway, the main attraction of a small town, perched on a rooftop with glimmering views, or sitting pretty on the coast view beach views – our region sure knows how to drink. And if there’s one breed of bar we’ve seen thrive in recent times, it’s those of the gin variety.
Fully embracing the coastal lifestyle where it’s crafted, Great Ocean Road Gin in Airey’s Inlet is giving botanical lovers a new place to kick back this summer with the opening of their new South East Asian inspired restaurant and gin cocktail bar.
The key takeaways
- A new gin cocktail bar and restaurant has opened in Aireys Inlet
- Great Ocean Road Gin is expanding with the new space next door to their tasting room
- The menu will focus on curated South East Asian shared plates, using fresh local ingredients served alongside their coastal gins in cocktails and G&T’s
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For those unfamiliar with them, Great Ocean Road Gin is a small batch craft gin company producing local gins inspired by the beauty of the Great Ocean Road.
Dubbed the Great Ocean Road Gin Kitchen, the new hangout is an expansion of their already established tasting room and Gin Garden located in the picturesque coastal town of Aireys Inlet, offering locals and tourists alike a new experience on the coast. The new space is located right next door to the tasting room, giving new life to the old Truffles coffee shop and allowing the business to serve ever more customers come summer.
The menu will focus on curated South East Asian shared plates, using fresh local ingredients served alongside their coastal gins in cocktails and G&T’s.
Think bao buns, grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf, Chinese 5 Spice quail, Char Kway Teo, red duck curry with steamed rice, stir-fried fragrant Asian mushrooms, and Korean deep-fried cauliflower.
As for the fit-out, you’ll find polished concrete, a modern fireplace, brightly lit neon, pops of bold coloured furniture, modern rattan chairs, wicker pendant lights, and a dedicated bar with stool seating. There’s also two brilliant commissioned art projects from local artists Lauren Green and Cinnamon Stephens who have added their beautiful and creative flair to the space.
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With its two award-winning gins named Guvvos (after the local surf break favoured by the distiller’s daughter) and Split Point (named for the iconic Airey’s lighthouse), this gin company is a true reflection of the coast, and we’ll continue to see that with the offerings at the new bar and restaurant.
To celebrate the impending opening of the restaurant and cocktail bar, Great Ocean Road Gin has created a new gin called S. East Meets S. West. Made in collaboration with Torquay’s Bob Sugar, this new drop is a combination of local “South West” coastal botanicals (kelp, pigface, lemon gum) and “SE Asian” inspired citrus (lemongrass, lime and yuzu), making it a timely addition to their menu.
Open for dinner Thurs to Sun, lunch Fri to Sun. You’ll find it at 34 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet. Keep an eye on socials for updates.
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