Sip from the source at Burleigh’s brand-new distillery and cellar door, Familiar Spirits
Here on the Gold Coast, we’re lucky to have a seemingly endless selection of places to sip from the source. Whether you’re looking for a post-work tipple, a spirited catch-up with friends or something a little more unique for a date with a difference, we’ve got a whole host of top-tier booze-makers ready to roll out the welcome mat. Burleigh Heads has recently upped the distillery game with a fresh contender – Familiar Spirits. This new spot is bringing its A-game with impressive spirits, vibrant cocktails and a setting that’ll have you swooning. Here’s everything you need to know …
Some of the best venues are the ones you don’t just stumble upon – they’re the ones you seek out, knowing the effort will be rewarded with an experience worth returning to. Familiar Spirits is one of those places. Tucked along Calabro Way in Burleigh’s industrial precinct, it’s just a stone’s throw from Capricorn Distilling Co. on Ern Harley Drive.
But before we dive into the beauty of this new cellar door, let’s rewind to the beginning of Familiar Spirits’ journey. Founded by Lana and Justin Bell – a photographer and graphic designer and a project manager, respectively – Justin’s distilling adventure began a couple of years ago as a fun at-home hobby. Turns out, he’s got a real talent for it. “He’s a mad scientist,” Lana laughs. With a little help from a chemist friend, Justin dove deep into the science behind it all. “With chemistry, everything hates everything, and the art… is getting them to join together and stay together,” Justin explains. Once the basics of crafting a palatable product were nailed, it was all about adding the flavours – and that’s where Justin really shines. “Flavour is my art.”
Their first batch, though, was in Justin’s words ‘undrinkable’. But that didn’t deter them. Justin kept tweaking and perfecting the formulas, and by recipe version 6.4, they’d nailed The Butler’s Gin. When friends and family began requesting bottles, they knew they had something special on their hands.
Fast-forward through a mountain of paperwork and approvals, and Familiar Spirits is now open with its very own distillery and cellar door. Lana, who has taken the reins on the design, has created a warm and inviting space that blends emerald green, tropical wallpaper and timber tones. Though the downstairs area is only 74 sqm, it’s packed with personality. A row of stools lines the bar, while the rest of the space offers intimate two-seaters perfect for a cosy experience. “You could be in Melbourne in a little lane somewhere,” Lana says of the vibe.
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The spirits are all created by Justin and Lana in small batches using a 300-litre powder-coated still, which you’ll spy sitting in the corner. The beauty of artisan producers is that Justin literally drives to the markets to hand select the lemons they will use in the limoncello, and then hand peels every single one. The skins are used in the spirit, while the rest of the lemon is given to Lana’s 10-year-old nephew to make the gelato that is scooped on to one of the cocktails.
True to its name, Familiar Spirits is a true family affair – Lana’s sister, Bree Dittrich, runs the kitchen. Bree, a chef by trade, trained in the Hunter Valley before venturing into her own cake business, The Cake That Ate Paris. The cold menu is designed for sharing, featuring a ploughman’s platter, beef carpaccio, Northern Rivers burrata, and a trio of tasty bar snacks to nibble on while you sip. Just make sure you leave room for dessert – Bree’s a pastry chef, after all.
When it comes to drinks, Danson Danium heads up the bar with a range that includes easy sips like The Lakehouse, made with the brand’s signature gin, as well as drinks for more seasoned palates, like a negroni featuring macadamia-fat-washed Pudding Gin. There’s also a selection of one-sip martinis and highball cocktails, and with experience at The Langham Gold Coast’s lobby bar and Veladora (the hidden mezcal bar at The Star), Danson knows his stuff. He’s even been known to whip up a custom drink based on your personal preferences. For those who prefer simplicity, you can also enjoy a classic G&T using the team’s preferred tonic by Long Rays.
There’s something undeniably satisfying about sipping a cocktail made with locally crafted spirits. It just tastes better, and that’s a fact. If you agree – or are simply looking for a fun, stylish spot to enjoy a drink – Familiar Spirits is it. You can also pick up the entire range onsite. Head to The Directory for opening hours.