Melbourne is hosting an entire festival about cocktails in April

For a city with so many top-shelf bars, it seems strange that Melbourne Cocktail Festival only recently arrived on the scene. But we're glad it's here, making a splash for a third time this April.

Whether you want to learn some new tricks, discover a new watering hole or simply learn your Gibson from your Gimlet, this week-long celebration of drinks has you covered.

There are a few hot-ticket items you'll want to book pretty soon. If making your own gin and designing your own cocktail are life goals, Little Lon Distillery is ready to make them happen. There are only eight spots in this class, though, so don't snooze on it (April 7, $95).

Do a deep-dive on bitters with Michael Ryan, chef at hatted Provenance and founder of Beechworth Bitters Co. He'll debunk any mystery surrounding this X-factor ingredient found in many cocktails on April 5 ($30). If whisky's your thing, taste four cocktails from four different eras as you soak up The Douglas Club's hotel lobby bar glamour (April 9, $120).

Top restaurants are also getting in on the fun. New spirits from Archie Rose will be pouring at Bar Liberty on April 8, as drinks wiz Nick Tesar mixes three cocktails to enjoy with three courses ($95). Aru is celebrating a new Maidenii bitter, Roselle, by offering all diners a chance to try three special drinks by Darren Leaney paired with three Aru snacks, including the sausage sanga, throughout the festival (April 4-10).

Sunday Sessions that make the most of the final weeks of warm weather are happening, too. Get to Rascal in Brunswick or CBD venues Pomelo and Arbory Afloat for DJs, lawn games and thirst-quenchers from Four Pillars, Saint Felix and Home Grown (April 10 for all).

If bar-hopping is more your style, the Bar Safari involves more than 30 venues across town, each serving a very special drink created especially for the Festival. Head to Aru for a gin, vermouth, mandarin and Maidenii tipple called Hard Bargain or plot your course around The Elysian, Juliet, Lui Bar and more.

Melbourne's newest drinks party, New Crush, is making its debut this year and four of Melbourne's best bartenders are getting down. Catch Luke Whearty from Byrdi and others as they mix Starward, Grainshaker and Four Pillars drinks at the Home Grown Bar within Splash, the distilling corner of the event on April 9 ($40).

Melbourne Cocktail Festival, April 4-10, melbournecocktailfestival.io