Drinking whisky in a room full of dinosaur fossils might sound eerie, but that’s all part of the charm of Evolve Spirits Bar. This stylish and historic lounge, located in Hobart’s chic MACq 01 hotel, snagged the top gong for Australia’s Hotel Bar of the Year and Tasmania’s Cocktail Bar of the Year in 2021 – and like a fine wine, it’s only improved with age.
Light beams from Evolve’s golden bar shelf, which showcases more than 600 premium spirits – but that’s not even the main attraction. The bar doubles as a fascinating fossil museum, featuring an extraordinary collection of global artefacts, including a giant Russian cave bear and triceratops nose horn, with some fossils dating back 550 million years to the Cambrian period.
These mysterious fossils are paired with a treasure chest of premium spirits from the world’s finest distilleries, with many also dating back centuries. Evolve’s 84-page beverage bible boasts 400 of the most exclusive and sought-after whisky brands around. There's also a separate 30-page menu featuring white and dark spirit cocktails, whisky flights, and Tasmanian beers and wines.
Need some food for thought? You can stay up late with ham and cheese toasties, charcuterie plates, beef burgers and a nostalgic Lamington ice cream cake.
Those looking to dive deep into the whisky world can raise a pinky finger at Evolve’s Drinks with the Distiller experience. During this one-hour intimate, guided tasting, you’ll sample three premium single malt whiskies from one of Tasmania’s oldest distilleries, Overeem, with one surprise whisky reserved for the end. Whisky tastings are hosted every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.30pm, and Friday at 4.30pm for $45 per person. You can find out more here.