Artisan distillery Burly opens a slick new gin bar at The Warehouses in Currumbin
The team behind Burleigh Heads-based distillery Burly is now shaking, stirring and pouring its range of refreshing gins from a sophisticated new two-storey bar in Currumbin. The recently opened Burly Bar is a testament to the distillery’s experimental spirit, serving a diverse line-up of cocktails that highlight its three gin flavours. Though, you certainly don’t need to be a gin fan to sip at the Burly Bar – all you need is a thirst for adventure.
Burly first came to life in Burleigh Heads back in 2022, after co-founder Piri Bennett side-stepped from his extensive background in bourbon distilling into the wonderful world of gin.
“What we wanted to do with Burly was create a contemporary and more refreshing style of gin. It’s flavour-forward and refreshing, with more fruit character at the front,” explains Piri. “What we’ve made, we believe, is perfect for the Gold Coast. It reflects the provenance, the lifestyle, the coastline.”
Over the past three years, Burly has become known for its famed vanilla-infused Cucumber Gin, housed in a distinctive green long-neck bottle. Two more flavours, the Berry Gin (elderberries, raspberries and strawberries) and Citrus Gin (blood orange, finger lime and spices) have been added to the fold – and it’s this trio that forms Burly Bar’s menu of gin-based drinks and cocktails.
“The bar is our cellar door experience,” says Piri. “It’s a place where people can touch the brand.”
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And what a touchpoint it is. Brought to life by Studio Plenty, the innovative Burly Bar space features a custom tinted-resin bar and transparent tabletops, crafted by Atelier, which emulate the brand’s unique bottle design. Once you’ve settled in and admired the abundance of textures and tones from floor to ceiling (trust us, you’ll need a moment to take it all in), turn your attention to the sips and snacks.
Burly Bar manager Breeana Erica says the uniqueness of the three Burly gins has allowed them to go down different avenues with the drinks menu, which will change with the seasons.
“We’re being super experimental. We still use the classic specs, so there’s something for everyone, but we’re really pushing the limits of what cocktails can be and what we can use gin in,” she said.
If you’re into booze-forward cocktails like martinis and negronis, or lower-wattage gin-based sips like G&Ts and spritzes, then this place will be your paradise. And if gin isn’t quite your thing, then consider Burly Bar a gateway. Classic cocktails like margaritas and espresso martinis are all on the menu – they’ve just been reimagined with a creative gin spin.
The margarita-adjacent Spicy Juan cocktail, which uses Burly’s Cucumber Gin alongside a touch of mezcal to keep the classic marg vibes, is fast becoming a local favourite. As is the Dirty Dill martini (cucumber gin, house-blended vermouth, dill, olives), the Sunset Negroni (citrus gin, Davidson plum, rosé vermouth, orange), The Snapper (citrus gin, tomato, miso, celery, smoke, pickles) and the Berry Choc Spritz (berry gin, cacao, wild raspberry, blueberry, prosecco).
There’s also a handful of all-Australian wines and local beers to choose from, but rest assured you’re in good hands if you decide to go on a gin journey.
“If you don’t drink gin normally, just tell us what you like and we’ll make something on the fly and off-menu to suit you,” said Breeana.
The Burly Bar also serves a concise menu of elevated bar snacks and small plates. Sippers can snack on the likes of toasted focaccia with ‘nduja and honey, fresh nectarine with mozzarella and basil, kingfish ceviche with finger-lime ponzu, and roasted cauliflower with cheese sauce and gremolata. The kitchen will rotate weekly specials to shake up the food menu, with larger plates expected to debut soon.
Burly’s Burleigh distillery has also been sitting on its first whisky release, which is expected to be pouring at the bar later this year.
Burly Bar is now open. For booking details and contact info, head to The Directory.