Ambleside Distillers - Hahndorf

Ambleside Distillers is a working distillery, bar, restaurant and garden destination on the main street of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. Set across three acres, it offers several ways to settle in: a gin tasting flight, cocktails, a masterclass or a long lunch overlooking the gardens, gum trees and neighbouring paddocks. The kitchen offers an à la carte menu as well as a sharing-focused Chefs Menu, with a $70 Feed Me option also listed on the venue’s Hahndorf page. Menu choices are limited on Mondays.

Gin is central to the experience, with tastings guided by the distillery team and a range of spirits made in Hahndorf. The venue’s products include Blossom Gin, Mandarin Gin, Wild Safari Gin, Old Tom Gin and Big Dry Gin, alongside seasonal releases, schnapps, whisky and ready-to-drink options. Its Gin Tasting Flight pairs the distillery’s seasonal or core-range gins with garnishes, ice and mixers, while the Cocktail Maker Session gives guests the chance to make two cocktails with the bartenders and enjoy a house-made snack. The themes rotate between Martini, Negroni and Gin Sour sessions.

For a more hands-on visit, the Gin Blending Masterclass starts with a tasting flight before guiding attendees through the creation of two 200ml gins using botanicals from the distillery. Ambleside also offers Chopper Sips, combining a helicopter ride over the Adelaide Hills with a gin cocktail, snacks and a bottle to take home. These experiences make the venue suitable for small groups, celebrations and visitors looking for more than a standard bar visit, while the gardens and long-lunch setting also provide a relaxed option for a date or an afternoon in Hahndorf. Guests must be of legal drinking age.

Ambleside was founded in 2016 and describes its spirits as shaped by the flavours and landscape of the Adelaide Hills. Botanicals are grown in an on-site garden spanning more than 500 square metres and used in both the distilling process and the bar. The distillery’s stills—Doug, Chelsea and The Ram—support everything from experimental batches to larger-scale gin and whisky production. A 33.3kW solar system forms part of its sustainability efforts. With a Google rating of 4.6 from 339 reviews, Ambleside is a well-established stop for tastings, drinks, food and booked experiences in Hahndorf.