KXD: A tiny gin distillery in the heart of Kings Cross

Kings Cross Distillery – 127-133 Macleay Street, Kings Cross

This highly anticipated cocktail bar is a new hidden gem of Potts Point, Sydney, located between the trendy Macleay Street and the chic laneway of Llankelly Place.

KXD’s cocktail menu boasts an array of refreshing beverages from the Impeachment with smokey peach flavours and the Sin and Tonique, a deliciously sinful floral gin and tonic.
Guests can enjoy small plates with a mediterannean vibe, such as boquerones, garlic prawns, albondigas (meatballs in a rich tomato sauce) and chorizo a la plancha (grilled chorizo and Manchengo cheese). For those looking for something extra lavish, caviar, available in 10g serves.

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The KXD wine list has been curated by Ben Moechtar, Certified Sommelier, former judge of the Australian Wine List of the Year and three times consecutive winner of the (RCA) Wine List of the Year Competition. Sydneysiders can also dive into the wonderful world of whisky, by trying whiskies from the Distiller’s Whisky Library.

The Kings Cross Distillery pot-still is affectionately known as “Miss Pottsy” and is located in the heart of the new vibrant venue, proudly on display. The location at Macleay Street, juxtaposed to the famous Kings Cross dandelion-flower inspired fountain, was at once a 1960s speakeasy and illegal gambling den. Upstairs there was the usual, shadowy, pleasures of a by-gone era befitting of the postcode 2011. Later in the 1970s, the venue became an X-rated book store (and later Ecstasy Adult Bookstore).

The decor is a mix of plush dark green leather booths and seats with modern finishes. The venue’s exposed brick walls and polished concrete floors are juxtaposed with lavish gold details, making you feel like you’re in a 1920s speakeasy. Guests can enjoy a cocktail at the front bar, or wander through to the back of the venue via the cheeky wall of nude pin up photography, a small piece of the venue’s history intact from when it was an X-rated book store.

Director and spirit architect Odelia Potts commented: “Our team at Kings Cross Distillery is so excited to introduce Sydneysiders to the wonders of this magical venue and the stories behind our inspiration, which are reflected in the gins, made here onsite in the heart of the Potts Point Kings Cross Precinct.”