Climb The Carlton‘s staircase at the moment and you will find portals into a sextuplet of different worlds. Their Bar Dream contest is in full flight as six former backpacker residences are transformed into competing venue concepts. It’s like moving through a  house party on acid as you wander through the hallway to flit in and out of the tiny spaces. This year the bars have been inspired by everything from the milk bar in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘A Clockwork Orange’, to Ab Fab’s 90s-meets-60s version of trash-tastic Rome (Versaaaahce, darlings!) to the Neo-Platonist principle of fundamental “oneness” (have a cocktail and ponder that one). There are pervy espresso martinis dispensed from a mannequins breast, deep-fried coca-cola treats, a Bacchanalian glitter explosion, and black magic elixirs to sip if you dare. Each miniature bar comes with a custom soundtrack, interior and menu.

The six Bar Dream bars are now open Friday and Saturday 7pm-3am until August 8 at The Carlton, level 4, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne.