Kensington Street’s Gin Lane has slipped into another realm for spring, unveiling a limited-edition Tales & Tonics pop-up that blurs the line between fantasy and mixology. The popular Chippendale bar has been completely reimagined as a moody, mythical tavern inspired by some of BookTok’s most viral worlds, from the fae courts of A Court of Thorns and Roses to the wizarding halls of Harry Potter and the sweeping lands of The Lord of the Rings.
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For a few short months, guests can step through its doors and into a cinematic escape where storytelling and spirits intertwine. At the heart of the experience is the Seer’s Table, where visitors can sit with Gin Lane’s resident Seer for a tarot reading designed to uncover their mystical match (and, naturally, the cocktail to go with it).
Each drink in the Tales & Tonics collection feels plucked from the pages of fantasy. ‘The Cauldron’ conjures the power of Prythian with a swirling mix of rose petal–infused tequila, triple sec, lime, spice and activated charcoal, complete with a bubbling citrus shot. ‘Spring Court in Bloom’ leans into the lush deception of the Spring Court with blood orange gin, lime and a sprinkle of shimmering “fairy dust.”
For those drawn to darker realms, ‘Gandalf’s Pipe’ delivers an earthy mix of smoked coffee, cacao nib cognac and salted caramel espresso, served with a wand for good measure. Meanwhile, ‘Slughorn’s Hourglass’ nods to Hogwarts with a blend of raspberry and violet gin, prosecco and a touch of white chocolate.
Each cocktail is a small act of theatre, meticulously designed by Gin Lane founder and award-winning mixologist Grant Collins, who’s known for turning storytelling into an art form.
For Grant, Tales & Tonics is about escapism and atmosphere, transforming the bar’s 19th-century townhouse into a space that feels pulled from another time and place.
The Tales & Tonics menu runs until late December, with cocktails priced at $24 and available daily from 4–6pm, and 2–5pm on weekends. Tarot readings at the Seer’s Table will be offered each Friday from 24 October.
And for those who’d rather make their own magic, Gin Lane is also running intimate gin masterclasses where guests can explore botanicals, taste their way through unique blends and craft their own signature spirit, a fitting way to end a night steeped in fantasy.
- What: Tales & Tonics
- Where: Gin Lane, 16A Kensington St, Chippendale
- When: Now until late December 2025