Events at The Spirits Workshop Distillery, Christchurch

About The Spirits Workshop Distillery

The Spirits Workshop Distillery is a boutique craft distillery in Christchurch’s Sydenham district, founded in 2015 by a group of local friends. It specialises in small-batch, premium spirits – notably the *Curiosity* gin range and *Divergence* single-malt whisky – all made from Canterbury-grown grains and botanicals (nzspiritguide.com) (neatplaces.co.nz). Visitors can tour the working distillery and cellar door; in fact, the venue is often described as the “home of Curiosity Gin and Divergence Whisky” in Christchurch (www.newzealand.com). The interior has an industrial-chic charm with polished stills, aging barrels and a tasting bar. Remarkably, the team even co-founded *Gindulgence* in 2018 – New Zealand’s original boutique gin festival – to spotlight local distillers and celebrate NZ flavours (www.thespiritsworkshop.co.nz). The Spirits Workshop’s spirits have earned acclaim – for example, one of its Divergence single-cask whiskies won a Bronze medal at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards (worldwhiskiesawards.com) – making it a notable destination on Canterbury’s craft beverage scene.

Events and Programming

Everyday operations centre on guided tours and tastings. The distillery is open Monday through Saturday (11am–5pm) for walk-in visitors and tours (www.christchurchnz.com). During a tour, you learn the grain-to-glass process from the distillers and see the copper stills and barrel room up close (earning praise for its “meticulous craftsmanship” (evendo.com)). Tours include guided tastings of Curiosity Gin and Divergence Whisky at the end (www.christchurchnz.com) – a highlight for many guests. In addition to daily tours, The Spirits Workshop hosts special tasting events from time to time. For example, in early 2022 it ran a *Summer Gin Mini Fest* featuring seven Canterbury craft gins (with a cocktail bar, live music and local food) (www.ticketfairy.com). In February 2022 it also held a *New Zealand Whisky Mini Fest* with six local distillers pouring their products alongside BBQ cuisine (www.ticketfairy.com). (These events were age-restricted and vaccine-pass-verified due to Covid rules (www.ticketfairy.com) (www.ticketfairy.com).) Such festivals and tasting evenings underline the distillery’s role as a community hub for spirit lovers.

Tickets and Booking

Distillery tours and tastings are ticketed. As of 2024, a standard adult tour is about NZD 30 per person (www.newzealand.com). This includes the tour guide and tasting pours; a handy perk is a NZ$20 discount on any bottle purchase that day. There are also package deals – for example, a tour for two plus a bottle of gin costs around $90, with an $80 voucher for shopping (www.newzealand.com). It’s best to buy tickets or book tours in advance. You can purchase tour vouchers or reserve spots online through the distillery’s official website, or by calling the distillery (bookings are strongly recommended for evenings and weekends). Many people simply arrive during opening hours and sign up, but popular sessions (especially on weekends or event days) can fill up. For one-off events or festivals, tickets are usually sold via online event sites; in past whisky and gin festivals at this venue, advance tickets quickly sold out (www.ticketfairy.com). Always check the distillery’s announcements or social media for upcoming events and ticket release dates. Last-minute or walk-up guests may not be accommodated if sessions are full.

Seating and Layout

The Spirits Workshop’s space is informal and workshop-like. There’s no fixed auditorium seating – instead, visitors stand or sit casually at the rustic tasting bar and high tables. Large copper stills and wooden casks are on display, so every spot in the room has a bank of gleaming equipment in view (www.christchurchnz.com). Because it’s a production space, most of the floors are concrete and the ceilings high, giving an open feel. In practice, the best “seats” are the stool spaces along the bar, especially if you want to chat with the distillers pouring your tasting. Acoustics are not a concern since there’s no amplification, but it can be lively during busy tours. Overall, the layout encourages mingling – you may find yourself sampling spirits while standing in front of the stills or barrel racks. (If you prefer to sit, ask the staff – a few stools or chairs are usually available at the bar.)

Getting There and Parking

The Spirits Workshop is at 11 Sandyford Street, Sydenham, just south of Christchurch’s central city area (www.christchurchnz.com). By car, the distillery is about a 10–15 minute drive (roughly 7 km) from the Christchurch International Airport (www.newzealand.com) and just into the edge of the downtown subway and industrial area. There is a small private car park on-site (a few spaces) and generally some free street parking on surrounding roads (www.christchurchnz.com). Note that Sydenham streets can fill up, so arriving early for popular events is wise. If you’re taking shared rides (Uber/Ola), the GPS-friendly address will drop you in front of the cellar door; from the city centre this is roughly a 10-minute trip depending on traffic (evendo.com). Public transport is also convenient: take city bus route 3 (Sydenham loop) or 5 (Addington) and get off at the “Sandyford St” stop on Colombo St, then it’s a short walk east to reach the distillery (evendo.com). (For example, it’s about a 20-minute walk from the Central Bus Exchange.) The venue is flanked by Colombo Street, which has frequent bus service from town. No nearby train line serves Sydenham directly.

Inside the Venue

Expect a friendly, relaxed tasting-room atmosphere. When you enter, staff will greet you at the distillery’s Cellar Door and tasting bar. The environment is “grain-to-glass”: shiny stills and fermenters stand next to wooden bourbon barrels, and the air often carries a tang of mash and oak. If you’re here for an event, you’ll typically show ID for age verification (18+ only) and sometimes vaccination status (for large events, vaccine passes were required during COVID-alert times (www.ticketfairy.com)). Security is low-key – just standard liquor licensing checks. Photography is generally welcome (distillers encourage sharing your experience), but avoid using flash on the copper equipment. The cellar door sells the full range of spirits by the bottle, and there’s usually a “taste bar” or cocktail station set up with signature drinks – for instance, prior cocktails events featured creative gin concoctions ready to serve (www.ticketfairy.com). No full meals are prepared on-site, but we’ve seen local food trucks (like a barbecue van) set up for special events. If you’re hungry beyond tasters, the distillery often partners with nearby cafes or encourages guests to grab food from next-door eateries. Inside, there’s no coat check and few nooks: space is communal. Restrooms are located to the side of the tasting room. For connectivity, don’t count on Wi-Fi; it’s best to bring a charged phone or device since cell reception is usually good. If you plan to linger, you’re welcome to pick up a souvenir glass or merch (Branded T-shirts, glassware, and even “own a barrel” vouchers are sold here).

The main tasting bar at The Spirits Workshop is a cozy, industrial-chic space. Guests can sit on stools at the bar and chat with the distillers as they pour curated samples. Notice the hanging copper pot stills and exotic gin botanicals on display – these give the room a hands-on, authentic feel. Bright wooden floors and ambient lighting make the cellar door inviting for both education and enjoyment.

Behind the bar is a well-stocked cellar door. Bottles of Curiosity gin and Divergence whisky line the shelves here – everything from classic gins to limited-edition pinot-barrel finishes. This image shows the variety available: each bottle holds a story of Canterbury growth and distinctive NZ ingredients. Visitors often browse these shelves while picking a bottle to take home.

Nearby Amenities

The distillery’s Sydenham locale is surrounded by handy services. Within 5 minutes’ walk are several popular cafes and restaurants: for brunch try Hello Sunday Café or a meal at Dosa Kitchen (an Indian eatery) (www.tripadvisor.co.nz). A short stroll (about 800–1000m) leads to the Riverside Market food hall, where dozens of vendors offer everything from sushi and pizza to craft burgers and coffee. Art galleries (like FORM) and local shops share the neighbourhood. If you need refreshments, breweries and bars are nearby as well – this area has a few brewpubs and tapas bars on Moorhouse and Colombo Streets. Hotels around Sydenham are mostly mid-range or motels, but the city centre (3–4 blocks north on Colombo Street) has larger hotels like the Ibis or Sudima Christchurch City (about 1–2 km). Taxis and rideshares are plentiful downtown, and there are several ATM/bank outlets and grocery stores in the vicinity. If you arrive early or stay late, the buses on Colombo run until around 10–11pm on weekdays (a bit earlier on weekends) to take you back toward central city stops.

What Makes This Venue Special

The Spirits Workshop stands out for its authentic Kiwi character and pioneering backstory. Unlike a generic bar, it lives and breathes the distilling craft: you’re tasting the atmosphere as much as the spirits. It occupies a gritty Sydenham warehouse space, so the vibe is industrial yet intimate. That sense of local identity comes through in their ingredients – trees, flowers and grains from Canterbury find their way into the label, making each sip uniquely New Zealand. The distillery team has embraced creativity and community, co-founding NZ’s first single-site gin festival (www.thespiritsworkshop.co.nz) and frequently collaborating with local artisans. The storytelling is also a draw: visitors love to learn that the founders started by literally brewing in a garage, then perfected Curiosity Gin after 23 recipe trials (neatplaces.co.nz). Many fans cite the friendly distillers, who make the tour personal and engaging. Because it’s Christchurch’s flagship independent distillery, it has attracted attention and pedigrees (for example, industry awards for its whisky and gin). All these elements – the warm hospitality, the behind-the-scenes look at craft, and the local-first ethos – combine to make a visit here memorable for both locals and travelers.

Visitor Tips and Information

• Age and ID: Entry is restricted to those 18 and over. NZ law requires you to present valid photo ID upon arrival for both tours and any drink purchases. Proof of COVID vaccination may be requested during festival events (as was the case in 2022) (www.ticketfairy.com).
• Bookings: While you can sometimes walk in during open hours, it’s safest to book tours online. Weekends and special events book up quickly. If you call ahead you can secure a time, and doing so at least one day before is appreciated (cancellations should be 24+ hours in advance) (www.newzealand.com).
• Dress code: Casual attire is fine. Opt for comfortable shoes – you’ll be on your feet touring the facility. There is no formal dress requirement, but nice shorts/pants and a shirt are recommended. Keep fragrances to a minimum since you’ll be near aromatic stills and barrels.
• What to bring: Aside from ID, bring a camera or phone for photos (flash should be avoided). You might also bring a shopping list if interested in special releases. There’s no coat check, so plan to carry small bags or put items at your table. Don’t bring outside alcohol or drinks – only the distillery’s own beverages are served here.
• Accessibility: The cellardoor and tasting bar are on ground level, but check ahead if you need wheelchair access: the entrance may have a small step. Inside the space is fairly open, but facilities were not specifically built for mobility impairment. Contact the venue in advance to arrange any assistance or confirm access.
• Arrival time: Arrive about 5–10 minutes early for your tour or session (especially on weekends) so you can check in, use the facilities, and meet the group without delay.
• House rules: The venue enforces NZ liquor laws. No outside drinks or food are permitted (except for special event catering). Please observe safe glassware handling and no standing on barrels. The distillery encourages questions during tours, but if you’re on a cocktail night or tasting event, move gently between tastings to keep the flow smooth.
• Coat/bag check: There’s no formal cloakroom, so keep personal items with you. Avoid bringing large backpacks to maintain the friendly bar atmosphere.
• Photography: Generally allowed – visitors often take souvenir photos with the stills and bottles – but staff may ask that you not photograph staff faces or other guests without permission.
• Nearby transport late night: If you stay for an evening event, note the last buses return around 10–11pm. Alternatively, taxis and rideshares operate throughout the night in Christchurch, so plan ahead if you need a ride home.

Frequently Asked Questions