While the cuisine capital of the festival is undoubtedly the fantastic Dark Mofo and City of Hobart Winter Feast there’s a lot more to check out with many local businesses and visiting chefs joining in and presenting even more reasons to brave the cold. Whether you’re in town for the week or a local looking for something new, here’s our top five picks:

Bar Liberty @ Aløft

Melbourne’s Bar Liberty is popping up at Aløft for a late night supper club on the 15th and 16th of June from 9pm. Joel Alderdice will be cooking up some of their signature dishes while Nick Tesar serves cocktails from their list. Wine will be selected and poured by Roger McShane & Sue Dyson from Living Wines and beer presented by Last Rites brewing company. No bookings required.

Shoes Mended Speakeasy

Forty Spotted Gin is teaming up with Lark Distillery to present a sneaky little speakeasy on the waterfront with fine cocktails and entertainment from 8pm on the 8th-11th and 15th-18th of June. Entry is free behind the door at 14 Davey St.

Bottle Tops

Franklin is the host for a day of decadence over two levels on the 18th of June. Ticket price includes tastings from dozens of the worlds most interesting small winery’s and producers as well as food from the likes of Luke Burgess, David Moyle, Deborah Blank and incoming Head Chef Analiese Gregory. There’s also entertainment by Ben Salter and Good Marinations. Tickets are selling very fast and available here.

Dark Garden

The Dark Garden party makes a welcome return to Preachers serving up drinks from the backyard bar and meals until midnight while djs entertain and fires warm in the beer garden. The party runs over two nights on the 16th and 17th from 5pm and entry is free.

Talisker Dark Bar

While not strictly a fringe event, as it’s part of the festival, this is one you won’t want to miss. The ruggedly handsome Single Malt Talisker Whisky from the Isle of Skye features at a pop up bar in Dark Park from 5pm on the 9th-11th and 15th-18th and is matched with Tasmanian blue cheese toasties.

Full Dark Mofo Program

Featured image courtesy Forty Spotted