Fable Melbourne
168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
@fablemelbourne / fablemelbourne.com.au
From prolific Melbourne hospitality personality Gehan Rajapakse (Sofitel, Hyde Bar, Rah Bar, Club 23, Crown Casino) comes a new Mediterranean rooftop bar atop the Greek Community Building at Level 13, 168 Lonsdale St.
Opening in late 2021 and owned and designed by Gehan, Fable Melbourne boasts exceptional views from the East End of the city all the way to the Arts Centre, Marvel Stadium and the Bolte Bridge.
“We have completely redesigned the structure of a 14th floor rooftop to create a destination bar experience like no other, where people can drink and dine until the early hours,” says Gehan.
The ethos of the venue embraces the Melbourne melting pot of cultures and pushes bold and ambitious cocktails with a focus on sharing style mediterranean food.
“A signature spin on the classic Bloody Mary, Ropespierre’s Faith, tells a tale of karma during the French revolution, while the Singapore Sling inspired Borgia’s Plot riffs on the most famous, and most scandalous family of the Italian renaissance.”
The interiors are warm and stylish with salmon seating booths, an Italian green-tiled bar front and wooden accents. Three quarters of the venue has a retractable roof, for all season dining.
Under venue manager and notable mixologist Alessandro Nardini (pictured centre above and formerly of Beneath Driver Lane, Nick & Nora’s and Loch & Key), the “light and full of flavour” cocktail menu tells a story with every drink, uses aquafaba instead of egg white, and is mostly gluten-free and vegan friendly.
“A cocktail is more than just a drink to me, I like to consider elements beyond the physical ingredients, proposing a bit of history behind the drink and creating an experience for my guests. At Fable, storytelling is what we do. Our menu of signature drinks playfully pokes at memorable moments in European history, while also honouring the classics,” says Alessandro.
A signature spin on the classic Bloody Mary, Ropespierre’s Faith, tells a tale of karma during the French revolution, while the Singapore Sling inspired Borgia’s Plot riffs on the most famous, and most scandalous family of the Italian renaissance. Historically a famed elixir by an Italian alchemist, Elisir Lungavita is the moniker of another Fable libation that won a place in the Amaro Montenegro World Competition, a refreshing take on a spritz with thyme, rosemary, lemon and grapefruit sherbet.
Fable is tipped to become another Melbourne institution, a destination for after work and late night get togethers, with an open-air vantage point that is unmatched.