The South Coast’s independent spirits scene received a significant boost last Saturday when the highly anticipated arrival of The Drink Show took over The Pavilion Kiama for its boutique regional debut.

The event, which focused on quality over scale, attracted an engaged crowd of spirits enthusiasts to sample rare, small-batch offerings from some of Australia’s most acclaimed artisanal producers. 

From the botanical complexities of North of Eden Gin and Karu Distillery to the agave-inspired Florcita Tequila, the Pavilion floor was a showcase of craft innovation not typically found on local bottleshop shelves.

The day was punctuated by three tasting sessions and a series of intimate masterclasses that allowed for deep-dives into the distilling process.

Amber Lane Distillery cellar master Rod Berry led a highlight session, “The Secret Blend Behind Australia’s Best Whisky 2025,” where attendees stepped into the role of blender. 

Using barrel samples and syringes, participants recreated elements of award-winning blends, gaining firsthand insight into the premium techniques that have put the distillery on the national map.

Meanwhile, Felix Clarke of Ester Spirits brought a summer vibe to the Pavilion with his “Summer Drinks” workshop, demonstrating how to elevate the award-winning Old Tom Gin for home entertaining.

While many major city festivals rely on sheer volume, event coordinator Mick Turner says that Kiama’s success was measured by the depth of interaction.

“For a debut event in Kiama, we were pleased with the atmosphere and level of engagement,” Turner said. 

“The crowd was compact but genuinely curious and interested in the producers, reinforcing the appetite for curated drinks events in the region.”

Exhibitors including Banks & Solander, Phoenix Distilling Co., Noble Bootleggers, and SoHi Spirits reported high levels of engagement, with many attendees opting to purchase bottles directly from the makers – a clear sign that the "meet-the-maker" format resonated with the local community.

The success of the Kiama event serves as a proof-of-concept for bringing high-end, independent drink tours to regional hubs. 

The intimate nature of the sessions ensured the "story behind the bottle" remained the focal point.

“Kiama confirmed the value of bringing independent Australian drinks producers into regional communities in a curated, considered way,” Turner added. 

“The learnings will shape future tours, with Maitland in May set as our next stop.”

As the sun set over Surf Beach, it was clear Kiama’s palate for independent spirits is only just beginning to wake up.