Restaurant
Whisky and Alement
270 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Whisky and Alement
270 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Whisky and Alement
Tucked along Russell Street, this cozy CBD staple holds a library of over 500 whiskies paired with unpretentious expertise. Melbourne drinkers head here for custom pours sequenced on the fly. Tell the staff your flavor curiosities—peat, sherry, or spice—and they build a tailored tasting flight that pushes past familiar boundaries. Beyond neat drams, taps pour craft beer matched into boilermakers, alongside creative drinks like a house Horchata cocktail. The compact room fills fast on Thursday nights, where regulars settle in on fixed bar stools around the amber glow of the backbar.
- Dealer's Choice Flights: Bartenders assemble personalized, escalating tasting flights matched to your flavor preferences on the fly.
- 500+ Bottle Library: A backbar stocked with over 500 bottles from across the globe, featuring rare single malts and limited releases.
- Boilermaker Pairings & Drinks: A thoughtful program pairing distinctive whiskies with craft beers alongside creative cocktail pours.
What's On at Whisky and Alement
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Visit Whisky and Alement
Why whisky enthusiasts and curious newcomers choose Melbourne's premier spirit bar
Custom 'Dealer's Choice' Tasting Flights
Guests can share their preferred profiles and let bartenders curate bespoke, omakase-style flights sequenced across increasingly nuanced flavor profiles.
The whiskies were excellently sequenced for an increasingly intense, but complimentary flavour profile.
Rob Unpretentious Spirit Guidance
Bartenders meet patrons at their specific level of curiosity, explaining provenance and craft so novices feel immediately welcomed rather than intimidated.
The vibes are excellent and everyone is very welcoming to the hobby.
Anson Tan Library of Over 500 Rare Whiskies
A massive backbar exceeding 500 whiskies includes rare single malts and limited official Ardbeg Committee and festival releases.
Ardbeg ambassadors so they have anything from Ardbeg you can imagine. Even had this years festival release, spectacular.
Ray Febus Curated Boilermaker Beer Pairings
Rather than confining spirits to traditional neat pours, the bar offers dedicated boilermakers pairing distinctive drams with specialty craft beers.
love the pairing of beers and whisky for some fantastic boilermakers
stu b Interactive Private Tasting Sessions
Organizers booking milestone celebrations or bachelor parties receive structured, highly engaging masterclasses led by dedicated private hosts.
An absolutely amazing class that was extremely informative, interesting & interactive. Everyone that attended said they loved it!
Nomadishek Seamless Group Event Hosting
Co-hosts and group coordinators enjoy a seamless, stress-free planning process that delivers an elevated group outing without logistical friction.
The whole thing was really well organised and managed.
Sam Purslow
Most popular items
Curated tasting flights, craft pairings, and bespoke cocktails
Dealer's Choice Whisky Flight
I asked for a dealer’s choice whisky flight and absolutely loved it.
Drew Aris Whisky and Beer Boilermaker
love the pairing of beers and whisky for some fantastic boilermakers
stu b Whiskey Sour
The whiskey sour is very good and Kayla was very accommodating to our needs to make a great sour.
Michal Golinski Horchata Cocktail
I had the Horchata cocktail and it was great. A very unique drink.
Blair Holloway
Beyond the menu
Signature hospitality touches and consultative whisky rituals that define your visit
Bespoke "Dealer's Choice" Flights
Bartenders build custom bespoke tasting journeys on the spot based on your expressed flavor curiosities and palate preferences, sequencing each dram for progressive intensity.
Omakase-Style Dram Presentations
Staff take time to explain each pour individually at your table, detailing distillery origins, production methods, and tasting notes like rich charcuterie-style peat.
Hosted Private Masterclasses
Private milestone events feature an interactive, dedicated host managing curated multi-pour tastings with custom presentations in a private room.
Curated Boilermaker Pairings
Bartenders pair rare single malts with artisanal craft beers into sequenced boilermakers designed to complement matching spirit notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a custom whisky tasting flight tailored to your taste?
Yes. You can order a dealer's choice tasting flight or paddle where the bartenders tailor and sequence a progression of whiskies based on your individual flavour preferences.
Is the bar small, and should you book ahead?
Whisky and Alement is an intimate, cozy bar with limited seating and fixed stools, which can fill up quickly during peak evenings. Booking ahead is recommended when planning a visit.
Are drinks other than neat whisky available?
Beyond its library of hundreds of whiskies, the bar serves custom cocktails, wine, and craft beers, including whisky-and-beer pairings (boilermakers).
Does the bar serve a full dinner menu?
Food options are limited primarily to bar snacks, charcuterie, and cheese boards, making it ideal for a drink before or after dinner rather than a full meal.
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