Melbourne has a new late night joint to drink and eat well: Bar Margaux, the latest from the Made In The Shade group, whom you may know from such Melbourne institutions as the award-winning The Everleigh and Heartbreaker.
Bar Margaux opened to the public last Monday, and already the chat on social media is singing the praises of the New York-inspired French brasserie, and a quick look at the images of the interior here will give you some clues as to why.
It’s a gorgeous room — one that manages to look classic yet at the same time unlike anything else we’ve seen on these shores.
Made In The Shade’s Michael and Zara Madrusan have form in this area — if you’ve ever set foot inside The Everleigh you’ll know what we mean — but it’s the drinks list that has really got us excited.
We don’t recall the last time we saw a Black Velvet on a bar menu, but the Guinness and champagne mix is a criminally underrated beverage; there’s also a brace of snack size Martinis and Manhattans on offer, and a host of classic cocktails with with additional suggestions: yes, you can order a Negroni, but they helpfully suggest trying it as a Ritz instead with a dash of absinthe. Similarly, under digestifs, you’ll find an Irish coffee with the suggestion of making it a Royal with the substitution of cognac for the standard Irish whiskey.
There is a full dinner menu — a roast chicken for two will set you back $75 — but given the fact that Bar Margaux will trade until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays (oh, how envious that makes a Sydneysider) there’s also a supper menu that will delight hospo types.
Honestly, they had us at escargot de Bourgogne (snails, garlic, Pernod butter), and then they grabbed us with the onion soup; but the MGX Burger will also be there (cheese, bacon, famous sauce, frites) should you wish to make intimate contact with your significant other at the conclusion of the evening.
(Each of these feature on the dinner menu as well).
It’s a strong play for good drinking and eating from a hospitality outfit that loves what they do; expect Bar Margaux to feature prominently at the end of year best of 2019 lists.
You can find Bar Margaux at 111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, and they’re open everyday from 4pm closing at 3am Sunday to Thursday, and at 5am on Fridays and Saturdays.
