Cocktails, Cabanas and Cuisine
Picture this. You're relaxing on a daybed, the sun is shining and vibrant, percussive reggae beats float on the breeze. Flavours of sweet, tart pineapple and creamy coconut delicately laced with spiced rum dance on your tastebuds. In the distance, palm trees sway and waves gently lap at the shore.
By Kate Conway
This month, that fantasy can become reality as the Darwin Cocktail Festival returns, following a successful inaugural year to bring thirsty punters all the classics like daiquiris, mojitos and martinis, oh my! Not to mention, mocktails for Sober Bobs, and basic spirits for those who prefer their beverage without an umbrella.
Less of a boozy pub crawl and more like a grazing, gastronomical journey around the world, the festival presents themed areas of entertainment and food, thoughtfully matched to flowing refreshments to enhance the tasty experience.
Let the good times Aperol at Little Italy by Bella, with spritzes and delicious Italian morsels like crumbed olives, arancini and pasta. Or round up your amigos for nachos, corn on the cob and margies at Mambo Eats. Splash of Disco Beach Club is like a direct ticket to Bali, with disco beats spinning on the decks, cabanas and Asian cuisine to refuel after a dip in the lagoon.
As the sun goes down, DJ’s, live music and a roaming saxophonist make way for a fire twirling demonstration and dancing under the stars, all set against the backdrop of Darwin Waterfront Lagoon and Skyline Ferris Wheel – what a way to see out a quintessential Dry Season long weekend!
The festival also boasts a distinctly local flavour with Dom’s Bar and Lounge providing their signature Territori-Tini, and Darwin’s own Willing Distillery and One Mile Brewery delivering craft spirits and homemade lemonade, the opportunity to showcase Territory talent a driving force behind the event.
“It’s not an average festival – it’s not about big headline acts, people really get to see the products and that’s what it’s all about. Showcasing the best that Territory bars and restaurants have to offer,” says festival organiser Lori Gardener.
If you like piña coladas and not getting caught in the rain, head down to Darwin Waterfront to fill your cup with Dry Season goodness and take your tastebuds on a whirlwind, global journey.
Darwin Cocktail Festival
WHEN SUN 31 JUL | 12-10PM
AT DARWIN WATERFRONT
COST $60
INFO darwincocktailfestival.com
