Print

Black Sheep has arrived in Geelong


Images Supplied

If you were to imagine a down-tempo, slinky bar mixed with Pandora’s Box filled entirely with gin varieties, you might come close to understanding the vibe that is Black Sheep. Geelong’s newest mecca for gin, it is all about experiencing the popular liquor as if for the first time again.

Nestled in the heart of the National Wool Museum in Geelong, Black Sheep has taken over the ground floor space previously occupied by Denny’s Kitchen. Here, the team shakes, stirs and mixes some of the finest gins distilled across the Bellarine and beyond.

Local favourites like Anther Spirits, Bellarine Distillery, The Whiskery, Great Ocean Road Gin, Flowstate Brewers & Distillers and Queenscliff Distillery all make an appearance, alongside a hand-drawn map that details the roads travelled by each producer. It’s part history lesson, part tasting party as you sip on a G&T under their mood lighting.

If cocktails are more your thing, Black Sheep have not only mastered every one gin-related (special mention to the North Shore Sour made with Anther Gin and sweet vermouth, peach Schnapps and lemon juice), but they’re pouring some incredible classics as well.

Like their name, however, Black Sheep does things a little differently from the pack. Each drink has a twist – whether it’s the Black Sheep Espresso Martini with Mr Blacks Coffee Liqueur or the Spiced Negroni served with the iconic Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to leave wanting more.

Food is nay an afterthought on their impressive menu, with European-influenced dishes crafted to pair seamlessly with gin. Locally sourced ingredients shine here in a collection of smaller bites designed to share, as well as larger meals you can tuck into alone. The Wild Forest Mushroom Risotto with truffle oil will send you to vegetarian heaven, while the 200g Eye Fillet with pink peppercorn jus & sautéed green bean might just taste too good to be true.

If you’ve got room after all this goodness, the dessert menu hits different too. Stuffed Apricot Dumplings with vanilla anglaise, anyone?

We won’t blame you if you leave a little rounder than when you entered. And trust us when we say, the Black Sheep family are so welcoming and the gin is so good, you might not want to.


THE DETAILS:
WHAT: Black Sheep bar
WHERE: Ground Level, 66 Brougham St, Geelong
WHEN: Monday to Friday, 5pm – late. Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – late.
MORE INFO: Black Sheep