Ola! The Acland St Cantina has officially launched itself into the St Kilda scene with a lick of lime and seasalt (and delicious cheesy empanadas). Upon entering a bright diner-style front room greets you in popping hues of red, white and neon. Wondering what’s down the stairs? It’s the old […]
Cocktail (Ring) Hour: Metal Couture
This medieval-looking cocktail ring is handmade by the genius William Llewellyn Griffiths for his Metal Couture jewellery label. It’s a solid 18ct yellow gold and blackened sterling silver setting with black diamonds and that feature green tourmaline stone. Got $5,500 plus change? Then I’d recommend you wear this while drinking […]
Now Open: Pawn & Co.
When first introducing their new bar, I wonder how many times the crew of Pawn & Co. have been forced to spell out the name to avoid raised brows. P-A-W-N. There are however a few similarities between this bar and the adult industry with the homonymous name; Pawn & Co. hints […]
1806 Cocktail Competition
There’s quite a few cocktail competitions held around town – and the globe – for professional bartenders. Not so many for we at-home mixologists. 1806 recognised this and handed over the shakers to drinkers as part of their 5th birthday celebrations recently. Five concoctions submitted by regulars we put to […]
The Tasting Table
Having never visited Melbourne before, I’m guessing it took a good dose (ie. a big wineglass full) of Dutch courage for UK sommelier Jack Mullard to move to Melbourne on little more than a whim. After living the high life working for London’s Corney and Barrow (who advised and supplied the likes […]
Diary: Brown Brothers Hidden Vineyard
The Secret Garden was one of my favourite childhood storybooks. Now Brown Brothers have brought a more grown up version to life with their pop-up Hidden Vineyard. I entered the space – at the utterly transformed Establishment Studios – to whispers from fellow guests of “it’s magical” and “genius”. Essentially […]
How to buy (& drink) Prosecco
Prosecco is to the Italians what champagne is to the French (sans the pricetag). At a recent masterclass hosted by Brown Brothers, I learnt a thing or two about the sparkling elixir; most notably that you don’t have to be a master of wine at all to enjoy it. Here’s a few […]
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady at SocieTEA A sunny daytime tipple; in the vein of a mimosa or a bellini. It doesn’t taste very potent yet, surrounded by the historic opulence of Werribee Mansion and plied with petit fours at high tea, who really minds? T2 French Earl Grey tea, Bombay Sapphire […]
Win a copy of Campari’s 2013 calender starring Penelope Cruz
Starring in the annual Campari calender for 2013 is Penelope Cruz. Adorned in siren red, the actress explores themes of superstition (walking under ladders, black cats, opening umbrellas indoors) all while sipping the bitter orange elixir and looking damn fine as she does so. Thanks to Campari I have a […]
Now Open: Du Nord
If one is an anomaly and two’s a coincidence will a third Nordic space soon make a Melbourne bar trend? Following closely on the footsteps of Denmark House opening Bar Dansk comes Du Nord. Swede Thomas Kiltorp is the founder of the new bar which I find less glitzy and more serene than […]