If you’ll excuse the obscure (and bastardized) Simpsons reference: everything’s coming up Mill House. Thus far, the new Flinders Lane bar weaves a delicate balance between a foodie bar and late night club. The spacious bar is situated in the heritage Tomasetti House building, the lower five levels of which used to be – among other things – a warehouse and flour mill built by the Degraves brothers in the 1850s. The neighboring Degraves Street carries on their innovative – sometimes shady – legacy to this day.

Sydney interior designers and architects Humphrey and Edwards (they redesigned the bar at the Opera House) have taken the Degraves and the Victorian era as their muse. Aside from the rather modern DJ booth (Miami Horror have already popped by for a secret set), the space feels like an historic stable and is dotted with curiosities and pictorial riddles. The bar menu is crowd-pleasing, but it’s the moonshine that…shines on the spirits side of things. Two types of moonshine – Ole Smoky Tennessee and Freedom – are available to sample here in ten different flavours. The less brave may opt for a jug of sangria or a potent cocktail to share alongside a plate of chef Agustin Ortega’s chicken ribs adorned with Pisco syrup.

Visit the Mill House in the basement at 277-279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.