“In the age of Instagram, visuals often take priority, and diners expect more than just culinary skill: they seek immersion, surprises, and storytelling.” That’s some of the advice that can be found in the Marriott International 2026 Future of Food report.
At Gin Lane in Chippendale, storytelling is at the heart of its latest pop-up, which features a cocktail menu inspired by BookTok’s most viral reads. As the name suggests, BookTok is where you’ll find a large community of avid readers on social media platform TikTok, who discuss and make content entirely built on books.
Gin Lane is among a growing number of venues drawing on cultural trends to deliver the “immersion, surprises, and storytelling” that patrons are seeking. World’s 50 Best Bars stalwart Maybe Sammy recently unveiled a similar concept, with its annual cocktail menu launch drawing inspiration from 12 defining moments in film and television.
The limited-edition pop-up will run until late-December, and will draw on Gen Z favourites like A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Millennial classics such as Harry Potter. Upon entry guests will also be invited to visit Gin Lane’s very own Seer, where they will have their tarots read and be guided on a spiritual journey to reveal which mythical world (and cocktails) their energy is most suited to.
Among the cocktails is The Cauldron, inspired by an artefact that shapes the fate of Prythian in A Court of Thorns and Roses. It features rose petal-infused Casamigos tequila, triple sec, lime, activated charcoal, and citrus.
The love for the Sarah J. Maas series doesn’t stop there. The Spring Court in Bloom cocktail takes inspiration from the deceptive beauty of the spring court in the books and is made with blood orange infused Bombay dry gin, fresh lime, and topped with “fairy dust”.
Gandalf’s Pipe blends smoked coffee and cacao nib cognac-biscoff with cold drip coffee and salted caramel espresso, and is served with a wand, and Slughorn’s Hourglass channels Hogwarts charm with raspberry and violet-infused Bombay Sapphire, pressed raspberry, white chocolate, prosecco, and lemon.
Each cocktail has been meticulously crafted by Gin Lane Founder Grant Collins. Collins says he has always pushed the boundaries of what a bar experience can be with storytelling cocktails and cinematic, theatrical presentation.
“With our Tales and Tonics pop-up, we wanted to bring the escapism and world-building of fantasy novels to life, and offer Sydney something truly otherworldly. Our 19th-century townhouse is the perfect canvas to transport guests into a magical tavern,” says Collins.
Cocktails are priced at $24 each, and will be available daily from 4 to 6pm, and 2 to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Seer’s Table will be open for readings every Friday from 24 October.
Gine Lane on Kensington Street also offers gin masterclasses and cocktail making for groups.
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