On Monday 2 February, Melbourne’s hospitality community will do what it does best when it matters most: show up.
Gin Palace will open its doors from 4pm until 3am for Pour It Forward, a one-night fundraiser in support of Maison Lapalus and Maidenii, two producers deeply woven into the fabric of Australia’s drinks industry who have been severely impacted by recent fires.
The connection runs deep. Shaun Byrne, a Gin Palace alumnus, and Gilles Lapalus are co-directors of Maidenii, whose vermouth has been Gin Palace’s house pour for more than a decade. It’s a relationship built on shared values, craftsmanship, sustainability and integrity – and one that has quietly helped shape Melbourne’s modern drinks culture over the years.
For this night, Gin Palace becomes a reunion. Alumni including owner Ben Luzz, Trish Brew, Kate Addis-Hoskin and Tea Allison-Brock will return behind the bar alongside current staff and friends of the venue, pouring drinks for a cause that hits close to home.
Support has flowed in from across the industry, with local and international drinks and food brands backing the night. Expect a one-night-only cocktail list built around those supporting brands, classic Gin Palace hospitality, and the kind of chicken sandwiches that tend to disappear faster than intended.
There are no tickets, no bookings, and no barriers to entry – just walk in, order a drink and be part of it. Every dollar taken across the night will be donated directly to Maison Lapalus and Maidenii.