Private Whisky Tasting & Room Hire

Bookings available 7 days a week

Our beautifully appointed private tasting room upstairs at Whisky & Alement is available for private hire for groups of 6-25 people. Price includes exclusive use of the room for 2 hours with one of our experienced whisky specialists to look after your group. 

We tailor each and every experience to suit your needs, from casual drinks to a full whisky masterclass. In consultation with you we will carefully select from over 500 whiskies a tasting set that best suits your guests and their interest and experience level. 

We can also add cheese plates, cured meats and nuts to your booking, or additional drinks such as cocktails, craft beer and wine. 

Rates are $200 for room hire and staffing, payable on confirmation of booking to secure the room, and an additional minimum spend of $60 per person, payable on the day of your booking. The sky's the limit, we can tailor a premium tasting experience to your needs and your level of interest. 

THE TASTING ROOM

Location: Upstairs at Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell Street, Melbourne with street front access

Room Hire: 2 hours

Availability: Peak days of Friday, Saturday or Sunday are available for instant booking, however the room is available for hire 7 days a week. If your preferred booking date or time is not available, please email Brooke at info@whiskyandale.com.au 

Guests:
Total guests - Minimum 6, Maximum 25
Guests not participating in the tasting - Maximum 4 (no minimum spend applies - see FAQ's)

Seating style: Seated, with a small standing bar located in an adjacent room that accommodates 10 guests

Minimum Spend: $60 per person

Room Amenities: 2 unisex toilets, projector upon request, bench seating

TASTING PACKAGES

1. A social affair
Includes - A craft beer on arrival plus a flight of 3 x 15ml whiskies and a 20-30min presentation by our whisky specialist
Minimum spend - $60 per person 

2. The mini masterclass
Includes - A craft beer on arrival plus a flight of 6 x 15ml whiskies and a one hour presentation by our whisky specialist
Price - $80 per person

3. The full experience
Includes - A craft beer on arrival plus a flight of seven or eight premium whiskies with a full one and a half hour masterclass around a particular theme, such as Japanese Whisky, American Whiskey, Highland Scotch Single Malts or Around the World in Eight Whiskies (or whatever you can think of!)
Price - $100 per person

4. Private Room Hire
Includes - A fully stocked bar, host and bartender in our beautifully appointed private tasting room
Price - Minimum spend of $60 per person 

FOOD MENU

• Mussels & Crisps (feeds 2-3) - $17 
• Wagyu Braseaola 30g (feeds 1-2) - $16
• Three Cheese Plate (feeds 3-6) - $29
• Charcuterie Plate (feeds 3-6) - $26 (add wagyu bresaola for an additional $16)
• Seasonal Ploughman's Board (feeds 3-6) - $29
• XL Seasonal Ploughman's Board (feeds 6-8) - $39
• A selection of bar snacks such as chips, nuts and pretzels are available for purchase on the night of the event

FAQ's

How do I book an alternative time and date?

Email Brooke at info@whiskyandale.com.au

When are the final details due for my event?

We'll get in touch to confirm final details such as guest numbers and your final food menu on the Monday prior to your event. 

Can I pick my own whisky tasting theme?

You sure can! You'll be presented with a large range of themes when booking. If you're unsure, our team can choose for you. We can customise themes to suit special occasions or personal preference, simply note your go-to whisky in the special requirements field and we'll do our best to deliver a lineup that will 'wow' your guests. 

Examples of popular tasting themes include blind tasting, around the world, a dive into the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Scotch whisky, and birth year lineups (not always available). 

A few of my guests would not like to participate in the whisky tasting, is that OK?

We can cater to a maximum of 4 additional guests who are not participating in the whisky tasting. The bar will be open either side of your tasting for additional drinks including tasty non-alcoholic options. No minimum spend applies to guests not participating in the official whisky tasting. For groups larger than 4 guests not participating in the tasting, the main bar downstairs at Whisky & Alement is open from 4pm daily. 
Updated 9/10/24

How do your private whisky tastings work?

Guests are welcomed into the bar area upon arrival to enjoy a welcome drink and settle in. Once everyone has arrived your host will ask the group to be seated for the tasting. Your host will talk everyone through the whiskies we have selected and answer any questions, then leave you alone to enjoy your whiskies and each others’ company. We can be as in-depth or as a casual as you like, from a quick chat about the whiskies to a full masterclass - it's up to you! One of our experienced whisky specialists will be on hand for anything you need, and the bar will be open for additional drinks for the duration of your booking. This is of course totally flexible and we can arrange your time however you prefer. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Payment

Please let us know if you would like to pay for your pre-arranged drinks as a single charge for your group, either in advance or on the day, or if you would prefer your guests to pay individually. We are happy to split the bill however you like! 

We do not keep a cash in our private tasting room, so all payments are kindly requested to be made by card or by prior arrangement. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and EFTPOS/Debit. We do not issues invoices for payments after the fact - all bills must be settled in advance or immediately following your booking. 

Responsible Service & Age Restrictions
Please note that responsible service of alcohol rules still apply to private bookings, so anyone displaying intoxicated or inappropriate behaviour will be asked to leave the venue and you will still be liable for the minimum spend per person

All participants must be over the legal age of 18 years in order to participate and consume alcohol

Accessibility
Please note that the tasting room is located on level 1 and accessible only via a single staircase. If you are unable to climb stairs, it may be possible to move the tasting to a wheelchair accessible venue located on the ground level. Please email events@whiskyandale.com.au to confirm if disabled access is available before booking. 

Cancellations

Cancellations made more than 7 days notice prior to your event will receive a refund of the $200 room hire fee, minus a $50 administration fee. Bookings cancelled less than 7 days prior to the event will forfeit the full room hire fee. The minimum number of people required for a private booking is 6. If less than 6 people show up on the date of the event, the minimum spend of $60 per person x 6 ($300) will still apply. Please confirm final numbers for your event 24 hours in advance to avoid having to pay for people who aren’t there!

Last minute cancellation due to exceptional circumstances

We understand that unexpected events can pop up at the last minute. In the case you are unable to make it to your booking and are unable to give 7 days notice; please follow the instructions below:

~ Illness: In the case that the participant is unable to attend due to an illness, please email a medical certificate to events@whiskyandale.com.au by no later than 12pm on the day of your booking. You will be offered a full refund or change of booking date minus booking fees and an administration fee of $50.