Sydney Opera House and Archie Rose announce new partnership

Sydney —

The Sydney Opera House and Sydney distillery, Archie Rose Distilling Co. today announced a new three-year partnership that will bring together Australia’s premier cultural institution with the country’s most highly-awarded distillery. 

Over the term of the partnership, the Opera House and Archie Rose will collaborate to deliver experiences and events, creating new ways for audiences and visitors to enjoy Australia’s icon and Archie Rose’s diverse range of bold, innovative, authentic products including whisky, gin and spirits experiences.

To celebrate the beginning of the partnership, next month the Opera House and Archie Rose will launch two new limited-edition experiences under the famous sails: 

  • Gin Spritz Masterclass and Dine: Kicking off on Valentine’s Day, guests will arrive in one of the Opera House’s most intimate spaces where they’ll create a delicious cocktail under the guidance of an Archie Rose mixologist, and enjoy tastings of Archie Rose’s innovative gins. Following the masterclass, guests will be treated to an indulgent three-course dinner at Portside Sydney with unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour.
  • Pride Tour: To coincide with Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Mardi Gras, this hour-long, in-depth tour of the Opera House celebrates the LGBTQIA+ performers, artists, and creatives who have performed at the Opera House over the past five decades. Guests will enjoy two specially-crafted Archie Rose Mardi Gras cocktails and the experience will visit the Opera House’s new ultra-glam Pride Lounge, which will play host to an immersive exhibition that honours and celebrates the stories and contributions of local and international LGBTQIA+ luminaries. 

“The Opera House is a place like no other. In our 50th year, we’re continuing to create new ways for people to discover this incredible building and to share in its magic. It’s fantastic to welcome Archie Rose as a partner of the Opera House – they’re an innovative Australian brand, proudly founded in Sydney, with a passionate and creative approach to launching bespoke spirits and experiences. Over the next three years, the partnership will help create unique events, experiences, and products that express these shared values and welcome more people to Australia’s most famous House,” said Jade McKellar, Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer.

"The Opera House is literally and figuratively at the very core of what makes Sydney one of the world’s great cities, so the opportunity to partner with them has been a dream of ours since we first began producing spirits in Sydney in 2014. Being able to announce that we’ve finally achieved this is a milestone moment for us as a brand. We can’t wait to bring incredible spirits and spirits experiences to the House – beginning with Sydney WorldPride 2023,” said Will Edwards, Archie Rose Founder. 

As the official gin partner to Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride 2023, Archie Rose will also support the return of the Opera House’s Mardi Gras float, which will roll up Oxford Street in the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras parade on Saturday 25 February. Titled Be Extraordinary!, the glittering Opera House float will feature a 10-metre sparkling replica of the famous sails with pink and gold accents, a glitter cannon and 60 Opera House staff members dancing their way up Oxford Street.