Probably the best news to come out of the national capital lately is that another new bar has opened, Honky Tonks. What a relief from all the other political noise. Getting straight into it, the locals seem to be wrapped with their latest addition and the venue is giving them a raft of tipples to taste while taking in the creatively cool interior. The wine list is pretty strong with some good tastes of local and international juice and the food is sure to keep you filled while you work your way through the cocktails and beers.
Venues
Venues
“Where at the bottom end of Melbourne’s CBD,” says Creative Director Michael Delaney Korabelnikova. Licensed for 1500 patrons, 365 days of the year and 24 hours a day, this is certainly one of the most ambitious venues that Melbourne has welcomed to the market in recent times.
The venue bring with it a number of different levels, and styles, with the street level acting as a pub, diner and disco and the other levels, well perhaps Delaney should explain. “On the middle level of the building we run SURVIVOR! a Saturday night mega rave dance party club. On the floor above that we run POOF DOOF, a Saturday night gay club for homos.” Thanks for clearing that up.
The space that once housed the old Balcony Bar has given way to Little Red Pocket, a stylish new Japanese bar in that’s shaking up the social scene and causing a storm in a sake cup.
With its extensive range of sake, cocktails and Izakaya snacks available in the evening, Little Red Pocket is another fantastic addition to Melbourne’s ever growing Asian-styled tippling haunts that is certainly worth checking out. David Van Iersal (ex-Nobu chef) is part of the team that’s steering Little Red Pocket during service and was behind the drinks list that’s on offer.
Freda’s (first featured in February’s How To shoot) is tucked neatly down a narrow brick alley driveway in Chippendale, Sydney. Opening in October of last year the venue was ‘soft trading’ for a few months to get things right before it launched itself officially to the public. This hasn’t stopped it already developing a cult following however, and Marty Campaign (general manager) was keen to talk up the venue’s early popularity.
This little Melbourne gem has been drumming up some noise for a few months already and if you’re heading down for a stiff drink then you’re sure to find something that suits. The venue’s soft moody lighting and inviting atmosphere is a good match for the simple interior aesthetic and there are rows of intimate tables, a bar to perch on and an outdoor area set underneath clear skies and street graffiti.
Australian Bartender scooped this new venue a few months ago and Assembly is now humming along to a busy crowd and a good vibe. “We’ve already been well and truly adopted by locals who were starved of a place like ours at this end of the city, said Ben Taouss (ex-Pocket bar) who is heading up the team. “We’ve had heaps of appreciative comments about how friendly and helpful our staff are as well!” So their obviously doing a few things right.
VinoBravo is another venture to recently launch itself into the lucrative north-side market. Owner David Brown is passionate about wine and simple, good-quality food. Softly lit and with plenty of places to perch this little gem is all about the Italian enoteca – a wine bar for locals where food, conversation and a glass of wine combine. If you’re peckish then there’s a range of foods on offer, from ‘A Little taste’ such as lemon & chilli marinated olives to ‘Little Toasts’, like Sardines with marinated red onion and lemon. The kitchen also hosts a selection of Paninis, Vegetables, Cured Meats and Cheeses.
Having launched in late 2011 MMC is taking a self proclaimed ‘cultural journey’ under the guidance of its head chef, Maurice Esposito.
The team behind the quirky venue are challenging you to enjoy all that the magic of Creole cuisine has to offer. Dishes are all about ‘to share’ and ‘tasting plates’ although there are mains and smaller delights to take your fancy. Creole-style chicken stew, spiced and blackened fish with avocado and a classic cassoulet are all on the menu.
The Smith in Prahran is making some noise as a great mix of food, drink and atmosphere. It’s even developed the common English moniker of ‘gastro-pub’, although those behind the site are happier to call it a restaurant and bar – with a purpose built event space. Nevertheless, The Smith offers cozy corners, communal tables and talented professionals and brings a unique slice of socialising to hordes of happy locals. “We’ve had immediate success since launching,” said The Smith’s Elania Musto.
With Neutral Bay slowly filling up for prime bar real estate there have been a couple of recent additions further down the road in Cremorne. The Mayor Bar & Dining is proving a hit, and came online just in time for the summer rush. “The building used to be the old Cremorne post office and we have done a great transformation to make the bar a warm great space,” says Tim Harvey, venue manager.
Melbourne has numerous ‘haunts’, ‘holes’ and ‘tippling joints’ and Australian Bartender always likes to share the best of the best with its readers – so here’s one for the whiskey lovers.
The Kodiak Club has been up and running since mid-2010 and while it now has a firmly established moniker as a ‘bourbon bar’ co-owner Nathan DeBritt says that it wasn’t always the hard and fast plan. “We didn’t really know what the bar would evolve into and didn’t want to trap ourselves with a specific theme,” DeBritt explained, “so we came up with a name that both complimented our North American vision but left room to move if the response to our product was not positive.”
Jamie Oliver has landed and he’s bringing with him all the expected bells and whistles. Inspired by the culture of laneway gastronomy and tippling Jamie’s Australian foray features antique coppers, earthy coloured tiles, leathers and blackened steel.
The venue features a fully operational pasta preparation station, which produces all the fresh pasta required while also satisfying the curious urge of onlookers. Jamie’s Italian also has an impressive bar area that turns out an array of delightful drinks, all under the watch of the 150kg tiered chandelier, which is suspended over head.