Here are six diverse new hangouts around Melbourne to try this month…
NEW BARS
Byrdi
Byrdi‘s a cocktail haunt with a wine bar vibe that shares a philosophy that farm-to-table restaurants – but not many bars…yet – have popularised: one of seasonality and an emphasis on local produce. Their drinks menu is ever-changing based on what’s available to inspire them and makes stars of native and foraged ingredients.
ELLA, Corner Elizabeth & Latrobe Streets, Melbourne
Moon Dog World
Inside here, there’s a huge, multi-faceted, industrial space turned oasis to discover. There’s the already infamous faux lagoon, waterside deck chairs, an arcade parlour, sportspersons lounge, brewery bar and an open-air beer garden. Naturally, there are dozens of weird, wild, and wonderful Moon Dog beers to try too (cocktails on tap too). It’s massive and massive fun. There’s not much more to be said that hasn’t been already: aside from the fact that if you aren’t really into beer, there’s probably an experimental flavour at MDW to change your mind. Image: Samantha Schultz.
32 Chifley Drive, Preston
The Hardware Club
Opened by two pizza fiends/friends who came to Melbourne via Verona, this upstairs venue‘s name is a nod to the site’s history as a social club for the hardware industry. The intimate, classically Euro-styled bar is attached to an Italian diner. Their signature drink is the Venetian Spritz which favours Select Aperitivo over the more common (here, anyway) Aperol. It’s a good place to explore Amaro, too! Bar snacks are of the porchetta roll and cheesy fried artichoke toastie (coming soon to the menu, I’m told) variety. But after a few tipples, their pizza will sing a siren song. Image: Josh Robenstone.
43 Hardware Lane Upstairs, Melbourne
Rosalita’s
Rosalita’s Bar & Liquor Store is the tasty jam in the sandwich between the slices of bread that are BarNone and East of Everything. She’s named after a Bruce Springsteen song and is part bar, part liquor store. Play some 70’s jukebox tunes as you sip house bottled cocktails or one of their 150 craft brews.
2/72 Auburn Parade, Hawthorn East
Dessous
The new subterranean wine bar (the name means “below” in French) boasts a greedy drinks list traversing the best of everything. They offer a globetrotting cocktail list, Mediterranean aperitifs, Melbourne brews and fizz and vin that’s mostly Australian or French. You just know that you’re going to order a round of the “unicorn donuts’ based on the name alone – but they won’t be what you expect.
Basement, T&G Building, 164 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Doss Closet
Mezcalito has been transformed into a curated op-shop bar where you receive free Doss Blockos beer with every item purchased. They think it’s a world first! All proceeds from vintage clothing sales go to the Polished Man campaign (which in turn give the money to prevention and recovery programs for children who experience violence). The space – decked out with pre-loved closets – is open now until January 2020.
233 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Opening a new bar in Melbourne soon? Let us know so we can spread the word.
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- Gintonica founder David Box has now literally written the book on the Australian gin landscape, simply titled ‘Australian Gin‘. He has called upon local experts including Jon Lark (Kangaroo Island Spirits), Dave Irwin and Matt Argus (Patient Wolf), Cameron Mackenzie (Four Pillars) and Phillip Jones (The Martini Whisperer) to help explain gin history, styles, local distilleries and next level gin sipping tips.
- Prosecco Festival tickets are out now for 2020. If you like fizz (and snacks!) you’ll want to go with the VIP option.
- For its 10th birthday, Melbourne glassware label Plumm has released a new collection of 3 wine glasses in consultation with local sommeliers: Plumm Three. The idea speaks to the modern way of drinking. You don’t need – or even want – a specific glass for each individual variety of wine. Instead, they offer a universal glass for every drop (but especially bold reds), a white glass for fizz and fresh white wines and finally a glass for lighter reds and bolder white wines. Simples!
- Speaking of wine…next time you’re in Sydney make sure to head to 10 William Street. They’ve just won the 2019 Wineslinger award for their “banging wine list that offers a sense of discovery,” according to Young Gun of Wine’s founder Rory Kent.
- And on your next trip to the top end put Hot Tamale on your to-do list. The Darwin bar’s Anneliese Grazioli has won the 2019 Patron Perfectionists Cocktail Competition in Australia with her tequila twist on a Manhattan. To make her winning ‘Over and Above’ cocktail, stir 40ml Patrón Anejo, 25ml Mango skin vermouth (I’d cheat and simply buy mango vermouth), 10ml Patrón Citrónge Mango and 3 dashes Martini bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and add a drop of lemon myrtle olive oil to finish. Image: Simon Shiff.
- A new gin subscription has begin. Out of Melbourne, Garden Street Gin Club is sourcing gins that will be exclusive in Australia to their members. They’re planning gin-centric events and filling their monthly, bimonthly or quarterly deliveries with extra goodies like chocolate, fancy garnishes or glassware too.
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