And all of a sudden Lygon Street is experiencing a renaissance. It seems the answer may be refocusing on a few lazy vinos and downsizing food to handily snack while we sip. Stalwarts like Brunetti are putting on aperitivo events with Two Italian Boys and 400 Gradi have opened their own cicchetti bar next […]
Sloe Coach | Brooks
For a place that’s known more for its fine dining (try chef Nic Poelaert’s Vegemite cracker with dehydrated kale – you won’t regret it) than it’s bar, Brooks sure knows how to make a lovely tipple. Bar meister Shae Silvestro works closely with the chef to create aperitifs and digestifs that play […]
Peggy Lee | Le Bon Ton
Meet the one and only Ms. Peggy Lee. She’s a Southern belle with a hint of whisky on her breath and a lazy drawl on her lips: a bespoke drink created for Bar Schweppes by Collingwood bar Le Bon Ton. Bar Schweppes, the forthcoming marquee in the Birdcage at Flemington […]
Now Open | Green Park Dining | Carlton
From espresso to all-day Tanqueray G&Ts: such is the transformation of the former St Ali North to Green Park Dining. Founding partner Jesse Gerner (of one of my fave nightspot’s Bomba) remains at the helm with James Madden (Kirk’s Wine Bar, City Wine Shop) developing the drinks lists. The not all […]
Le Fizz
In my humble opinion it’s a faux pas to invite guests for “cocktails and canapés” and then to only serve champagne. Surely a cocktail hour denotes actual cocktails! For those who don’t believe that the sophisticated appeal of sparkling on arrival can be surpassed, I was recently introduced to the […]
An Espresso Martini with Buzz
International Coffee Day this week calls for something a little more luxe than a standard espresso martini. Enter Yannis and Chris at Market Lane Bar who have created a coffee “martini” with twice the buzz of Dick Bradsell’s “wake me up and fuck me up” original courtesy the essential dose […]
The DrinkMelbourne Guide to Bendigo
As the second largest hub in the goldfields, Bendigo as a destination is often relegated to being a home base from which to explore the vineyards and cellardoors of the nearby Heathcote wine region. But as I recently discovered there’s a burgeoning bar scene to keep you occupied in town […]
Upcoming Event | Cocktail Degustation Series at Fall From Grace
Once upon a time… Fall from Grace ran away to the circus. To launch their new series of cocktail degustations the underground bar presented a Circus themed one-night-only menu in theatrical fashion. Cocktails inspired by trapeze artists, human cannonballs, jugglers, carousel rides and the ubiquitous ringleader were matched with a dinner smattered […]
Now Open | Polépolé | Melbourne CBD
Polépolé is a new Melbourne city bar which marches to the beat of an African drum. Founders Jeanelle and Dean Mariani have taken the space – formerly home to Tony Starr’s Kitten Club – on a warm, earthy trip through the likes of Kenya, Ethiopia and Mauritius, inspired by the […]
Upcoming Event | Yarrabank & Matcho Suba ‘Blend’
Champagne is synonymous with fashion week darlinks! But usually what the in-crowd sips is an afterthought. At ‘Blend’ this Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, wine is the muse of the show. Six of Yering Station’s Yarrabank Wines have inspired outfits by fashion designer Matcho Suba (either pulled from his archives or […]