Serves of the State is returning to Victoria for a second round in 2026, with the cocktail campaign expanding to 15 venues and 45 distilleries across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Running from 25 May to 14 June, the three-week event will see participating bars each create three exclusive cocktails using spirits from Victorian distilleries, with guests able to vote for their favourite serve throughout the campaign.
The initiative launched earlier this year and returns less than five months later, continuing its focus on putting locally made spirits in front of consumers through bar menus rather than traditional tastings or trade events.
Participating venues include Dom’s Social Club, Union Electric, Whiskey & Alement, Hazel, Jackalope and Grainery Lane, alongside a mix of cocktail bars, pubs and regional venues.
Each venue has been paired with three Victorian distilleries and given full creative control over the drinks list, with one cocktail eventually crowned Victoria’s Serve of the State.
“From the outset, our intention with Serves of the State was to build a platform, not just an event, that showcases the depth, creativity and momentum of Victoria’s spirits industry in a way consumers could experience,” said Spirits Victoria executive officer Marianne Duluk.
The campaign runs alongside Melbourne RISING, placing participating venues within the city’s wider winter arts and culture calendar.