Drinking whisky in a room full of dinosaur fossils might sound eerie, but that’s all part of the charm of Evolve Spirits Bar. This stylish and historic lounge, located in Hobart’s chic MACq 01 hotel (one of the most fab accommodations in town), snagged the top gong for Australia’s Hotel Bar of the Year and Tasmania’s Cocktail Bar of the Year in 2021 – and like a fine wine, it’s only improved with age. Light beams from Evolve’s golden bar shelf, which showcases more than 600 premium spirits – but that’s not even the main attraction.

Time Out tip: If your room doesn’t have a water view, head to the hotel’s Story Bar for a sundowner. It’s got one of the best vantage points in Hobart.

This waterfront lounge bar in the luxe MACq 01 Hotel is the place to sample rare liquors and ogle ancient fossils. Featuring drops from premium Tasmanian distillers, as well as an exhaustive list of whiskies from Scotland’s Speyside to Islay, as well as Japanese whisky and American whiskey, and pretty much any other type of spirit your mind can conjure, Evolve is a playground for the palate if you’re a dilettante of distillation. But you don’t have to be an insatiable spirit chaser to just enjoy the atmosphere here and a wine or beer.

Humans have long tried to understand our world, explaining its complexities through theories of spirituality, biology, geography and astronomy. This insatiable thirst for understanding fuelled a period of unprecedented discovery during the 1800s with the mapping of our globe, the industrial revolution and the collection of countless botanical, zoological and geological artefacts. Our minds expanded with curiosity as mysterious fossils were uncovered; answering some questions, but presenting thousands more.

In MACq 01 on Hobart’s historic waterfront, Evolveis a snug, stylish haven celebrating Tasmania’s world-class distilling scene. With a trophy cabinet full of awards, this bar delivers an impeccable drinks menu—think signature cocktails, expertly curated Tassie whisky flights, and standout serves like the Queen Bee, made with Forty Spotted Bush Honey Gin. Pair your drink with a selection of refined snacks and soak up the atmosphere, where ancient fossils add a touch of intrigue to every sip.

Located inside the fancy MACq 01 Hotel building, the Evolve Spirits Bar is a very sleek bar that serves (as you can probably tell from the title) mainly spirits and cocktails, but also beer, cider, wine and food. The interior is awesome as they’ve really gone with the ‘evolution’ theme and run with it, with fossils and even the skeleton of a giant Russian cave bear lit up very atmospherically. There’s also a deck outside where you can sit and look out over the Hobart docks.

Stationed near Hobart’s waterfront, Evolve’s premium food and drink won it two awards at this year’s Australian Bar Awards. Long-established restaurant and bar guide – and online magazine publication – Good Food Australia highlights its eccentric atmosphere; the interior is adorned with dozens of fossils, some of which date back to over 550 million years ago. If you do decide to go there, we’d suggest that you chow down on one of their signature pork belly bao buns.

Evolve Spirits Bar is a luxury lounge bar and also Hobart’s sweet holy grail wateringhole that’s nabbed up a bunch of prestigious awards (also located inside Macq 01). The mixologists here celebrate premium distilling in Tasmania, where local spirits are shelved up against a broader list of international bottles too, some from centuries ago. Whisky Wednesdays are a big thing here too, a dedicated day of the week where the team pour a rare, unique or discount whisky.

You know, if you don’t like dead stuff and bones, you may wish to skip this place. There’s a great big skeleton of some sort of animal in the middle of the room (that frankly we were too taken with the drinks to notice the name of). Located in the MACq 01 Hotel building (again, down on pier jutting out over the water), the view is as picturesque as the drinks from bar manager Daniel Gregory are delicious (which is to say a lot).

Sip and savour as you give in to the indulgence of all that is Evolve Spirits Bar. Winner of many an award including Tasmania’s Cocktail Bar of the Year, Australia’s Hotel Bar of the Year and Tasmania’s Best Bar, from the moment you enter, you know you’re in for a treat. I mean, it’s not every day that you drink and dine among a full-sized bear skeleton now is it?.

Evolution is the theme of the bar, and the bar has many amazing fossils mounted, including the horn of a triceratops. Evolve prides itself on its collection of high-end spirits, including multiple subcategories of whiskies. Together with its waterfront location, Evolve attracts big names from Hobart’s business elite and represents an evolved view of humanity.

For those with a thirst for the finer things in life, Evolve Spirits Bar offers a sophisticated yet intriguing experience. An immersive experience, surrounded in the finest spirits, both drinkable and fossilised. Evolve is a celebration of premium distilling in Tasmania, and an opportunity to sample rare liquid gems from around the world.

Honored by the Australian Bar Awards, Evolve Spirits Bar fuses exploration with mixology. Tasmania’s Cocktail Bar of the Year and Australia’s Hotel Bar of the Year in 2021, the bar reflects humanity’s quest for knowledge and distillers’ artistry. Nestled in Hobart’s historic waterfront MACq 01 Hotel, it embodies luxury and rare spirits.

Lark Distillery is the heart of Tasmania’s whisky scene, crafting world-class spirits with rich flavours and deep heritage. Founded by Bill Lark, the “godfather of Australian whisky,” this award-winning distillery blends traditional techniques with local ingredients, creating some of the finest single malts in the country.

This quirky bar is tucked underneath the waterside MAcq01 Hotel. With 37 different fossils displayed in glass cabinets lining the walls and dividing the space in columns it is a fascinating place to linger. Order a stylish cocktail or sample one of the hundreds of fine spirits listed on the leatherbound menu.

Evolve Spirits Bar – As a luxury lounge bar, Evolve Spirits Bar offers a sophisticated and intimate hospitality experience on Hobart’s historic waterfront. Its ornate design, rare spirits list and engaging service are befitting of Hobart’s most enviable wharfside location, within the MACq 01 Hotel building.

A signature bar named Evolve Spirits Bar showcases fossils, while the hotel’s key restaurant The Old Wharf Restaurant gives a nod to the city’s whaling past, and another dapper drinking spot, The Story Bar, is decorated with fascinating news clippings that enthral visitors.

For a glass or two of Spirits whilst enjoying small plates of delicious snacks in a historical theme bar head to the Evolve Bar at MACq 01 Hotel, 18 Hunter Street, Hobart. Don’t be surprised if you are enjoying you drink or two with a giant Russian bear.

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Situated in MACq01, Evolve is a luxury bar offering a sophisticated and intimate experience with rare spirits and engaging service.