If there’s any cocktail that deserves its own week-long party, it’s undoubtedly the Negroni. For one week each year, bars and restaurants around the world unite to celebrate the iconic red Italian apéritif, while raising money for charitable causes ($4 million to date). This year’s Negroni Week, hosted from September 18-24, is a grand toast to the timeless bond between Campari and the Negroni, with bartenders across the city putting their own spin on the classic cocktail.
Where to celebrate Negroni Week in Melbourne
Direct from London, Kwãnt's celebrated bartender, Giusy Castaldo, will serve up two exclusive Negronis at Society on Sunday, September 24 from 5-8pm. You can experience the grandeur of the Sunflower Negroni with Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano 1757 and Jerusalem artichoke, or the High Five with Campari, Ancho Reyes, watermelon and Ethiopian berry tincture. What’s even sweeter? $2 from every cocktail will be donated to Slow Food, in support of their mission to foster a more equitable and sustainable world of food and beverage.
Further down the road, Fancy Hank’s barbecue restaurant is dedicating an entire evening to the Negroni on September 20 with a three-course menu that highlights the unique flavours of the cocktail plus paired tastings. Dom’s Social Club is also throwing an epic Negroni Week Closing Party on September 24 with bespoke cocktails, DJs and surprise entertainment.
Everyone can get around Negroni Week with the celebrations stretching as far as Bang Bang in Elsternwick and Naught Distilling in Eltham. For a mid-week apéritif in the CBD, you can head to Her, Chin Chin, Bomba and Hochi Mama. The fun spreads further North too with Negroni specials at Rossi, Electric, Holy Grail, the Emerson and Young Hearts.
You can see the full list of participating venues available here.