Bitter & Twisted is held annually on the first weekend in November. The 2023 event will take place on the 4 & 5 November.

Saturday: 10.00am – 6.00pm 

Sunday: 10.00am – 4.00pm 

Bitter & Twisted is held in the former maximum security prison Maitland Gaol.

The Gaol is located at 6 – 18 John Street, East Maitland.

Tickets for Bitter and Twisted 2023 will be on sale at 12.00pm on Friday 4 August (International Beer Day).

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We recommend you to pre-purchase tickets for the event as we cannot guarantee availability on the weekend.

If tickets sell out, they will not be available on the day.

Any tickets not pre-sold will be available to purchase at the festival.

There are a range of different ticket types available for Bitter & Twisted which all have different inclusions.

Check out which package suits you best here.

Saturday at Bitter & Twisted will be an over 18’s event only.

No children are permitted within the event site, ID checks will take place at the entrance, and patrons under 18, will not be permitted entry.

On Sunday Bitter & Twisted will be an All Age Event. All under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Under 18s are not permitted in the VIP area or permitted to purchase inclusions. 

Saturday at Bitter & Twisted will be an over 18’s event only.

No children are permitted within the event site, ID checks will take place at the entrance, and patrons under 18, will not be permitted entry.

On Sunday Bitter & Twisted will be an All Age Event. All under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Under 18s are not permitted in the VIP area or permitted to purchase inclusions. 

A token system is used to purchase all beer, wine, food or merchandise at the festival. No cash or card sales can be made at the event (aside from General stalls).

The value of 1 token is $2 and can be purchased in sheets of 5 with a value of $10 closer to the event.

Please note tokens are non refundable.

1 x Tasting token ($2) = 100ml beer or a half full glass

2 x Tasting tokens ($4) = 200ml beer or a full glass

4 x Tasting tokens ($8) = 150ml glass of wine

Please note, all tokens are non-refundable or exchangeable for cash. We suggest purchasing tokens in smaller quantities if you are unsure of how many you will use.

To learn more about tokens please check out our tokens page.

If you wish to become a volunteer at future for Bitter & Twisted 2023 or any other events, please email to [email protected]

No chairs are permitted into the site. You are able to bring a picnic rug if you wish.

Tables and chairs will be provided throughout the festival.

No pension / concession discounts are available.

Due to COVID-19, branded Bitter & Twisted tasting glasses will not be used.

Single use biodegradable cups will be provided at the event.

No food or drink is permitted to be brought into the festival.

Empty water bottles can be brought on site to refill at the water stations throughout the festival.

There will be a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food available at the festival.

Unfortunately no food or drink can be brought into the festival.
We will have a range of local and international food stalls at the festival including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options to cater for different dietary requirements.

Please note, this year at Bitter & Twisted Saturday is an over 18’s event only.

On Sunday, children are permitted to attend the event accompanied with an adult.

There will be no ATM’s on site. The closest ATM is on High Street, East Maitland.

There is no cash onsite. There will be EFTPOS facilities available at the merchandise tent to purchase, tokens and merchandise as well as at the ticketing tent to purchase tickets.

There will be no cash out available.

No pets are allowed with the exception of assistance animals.

Maitland Events will contract a photographer/s and/or videographer to capture still and moving vision from the festival for future promotional use.

By entering this site you grant Maitland City Council the irrevocable and unrestricted right and permission to use any photographic or film images and voice recordings of me / my business / or members of my community group or in which I/we may be included during my participation with Maitland Events for any lawful purpose including publicity, illustration, advertising or digital and web content, including social media platforms.

I acknowledge Maitland City Council may provide the photographic or film images and voice recordings to third parties for use as part of activities or functions associated with Local Government.

If you do not wish to grant this permission to Maitland City Council, please notify a staff member or write to us at [email protected].