Mod Vietnamese restaurant The Brass Coq (the place used to be called Dikstein’s Side Bar so the irreverent naming convention has stuck) a.k.a TBC opened in March. So it’s fitting that the name of their new upstairs bar – officially opening to the public today – will be ‘to be confirmed’ for the foreseeable future. “Long story short, we’ve decided not to give it a name” says co-owner Michael Nguyen “it’ll be a great conversation starter for us at the bar though!”

Nameless though it may be “one thing we don’t want to be known as is a cocktail bar, but we do want to exceed expectations” continues Michael. He and fellow owner Colin Tam, formerly of Hilton Hotel’s Zeta Bar, have poured themselves into the venue from ordering custom emerald chesterfield lounges to commissioning paintwork by Elm Street. “It was me and Colin hammering every single nail.”

The legal eagles at this end of town can now knock off with a high end wines list, a combo of Ha Noi beer and VFC (Vietnamese fried chicken) or cocktails which will reflect the seasonal produce being utilised in the kitchen below. Do start with their twist on a whiskey sour. The ‘Chrysanthemum Sour’ features the flower infused into a syrup and into the whiskey itself.

Find the Bar upstairs at The Brass Coq , 470 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, opposite Healeys Lane (beware: google maps will lead you astray).