LITTLE LON DISTILLERY
Hidden down a quiet laneway, Little Lon Distillery is proof that big stories can come from small places.
Operating from a red-brick cottage that dates back to the 1800s, the distillery is one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets. The cottage once sat in the heart of a notorious neighbourhood known as “Little Lon,” a place with a colourful history of working-class life, small traders, and curious characters. Ginger Mick, a larrikin immortalised in C. J. Dennis’s poetry, and Miss Yoko, a figure of intrigue from the area’s folklore, are just two of the personalities that once gave this quarter its reputation for grit and charm.
Today, Little Lon has reinvented that story with a sense of playfulness and pride. Its small-batch gins are crafted with native botanicals, each one reflecting a twist of Melbourne character. From aromatic citrus to herbal spice, the flavours carry both tradition and surprise. Step inside the cottage and you’ll find a cosy bar, copper stills gleaming, and the scent of botanicals filling the air.
In keeping with Melbourne’s tradition of reinvention, the distillery also looks beyond its own laneway for inspiration. Characters from the wider neighbourhood, like eccentric bookseller E. W. Cole and visionary architect Marcus Barlow, inspire signature cocktails that bridge history and creativity. The E. W. Cole Duck Fat Washed Old Fashioned brings a touch of theatricality, while the Marcus Barlow Little Lon Negroni celebrates bold design with a modern twist on a classic.
For Hotel Indigo, the collaboration between Little Lon and Fern Bar & Dining has created something special. Together, they have developed signature cocktails that celebrate both the past and present of Melbourne. Guests can sip on drinks that feel rooted in local heritage, yet adventurous in spirit.
Every cocktail carries a story, just as every laneway in Melbourne holds a secret waiting to be uncovered. At Little Lon, history and creativity are distilled into every glass, making it the perfect partner for Fern and for guests curious to taste the neighbourhood.
