What was once a small cocktail bar under Melbourne’s CBD, has been flipped into The Understudy Ski Lodge. Hidden beneath 1806 – this winter-only hideaway is designed for serious drinkers, and cold nights.
The new cocktail menu pushes seasonal, spirit-forward, and low-waste ideas into one curated list. Stand out’s include: the Orchard combining Talisker Skye whisky together with pink lady cider and cassis, served warm in ceramic mugs, next the Chalet Noir offers a bourbon forward sip, with hazelnut, stout, and chai, it’s thick and laced with grated chocolate, built to sit with for a while. Then there’s Midnight Slope, a mix of Biscoff-infused bourbon, banana liqueur, black walnut, and coffee – no fluff, just flavourful layering.
For the wine drinkers, a concise list of European reds, whites, and vintage alpine spirits are available to order. You will also find amaro, génépi, and eau de vie – the stuff you actually want in winter.
The food matches the tone of the venue, with head chef David McConaghie’s letting the bar lead the way – with simplistic flavourful food parings. Offerings include, baked camembert, sourdough, olives, and cheese boards, alongside comfort food dishes built for those cooler nights, like the truffled loaded chips, Korean fried chicken and and pork sliders.
For those craving something sweet, chocolate fondue is served with strawberries, wafers and marshmallows – serving as a nod to European ski lodges and childhood nostalgia.
Open only through winter, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5pm, no bookings are required.