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Melbourne Bars & Cocktail LoungesAustralia's second-largest city is in constant competition with its flighty cousin Sydney and although slightly smaller, it's no less stylish. More colonial and Old World than its moneyed rival, it's birthplace to the likes of Nick Cave and the Minogues, so there's some edge to the suburbia we see in Neighbours. New bars are springing up all over town and the laid-back Aussie of the Four X and Fosters ad is balanced out here by the adherence of many locals to the sharp-suited sophistication of the style bar. Check out the Supper Club and the boozers on Bourke Street to get the idea. |
F4
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Bond Lounge Bar
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Chaise Lounge
Award winning basement bar on Queen Street where the outlandishly brilliant cocktails perfectly compliment an eclectic clientele and extraordinary décor. It’s done up like a funky, mis-matching 19th century French boudoir, with candles, candelabras and gorgeously upholstered antique chairs and couches. (We think there were some chaise longues in there too.) Lighting is low and moody with beaded curtains dividing the various sections and arty bits of décor dotting the walls. There’s no kitchen but free sushi is passed around on a Friday and you’ll need it to soak up the cocktails – a wondrous selection of Chaise originals and fruity muddles that include Caiproskas and Mint Juleps. Originals have cool names like Lady Marmalade and Laur & Order and we particularly liked the Grand Passion: a mix of Grand Marnier, gin, ruby red grapefruit juice and sugar syrup, shaken and served in a highball, coated in bitters and garnished with an orange wedge. Got that? With concoctions like these, no wonder they’re scoop so many awards. |
Der Raum
For those of you with no grasp of the Germanic tongue, Der Raum means The Room (pretty phonetic really) and appropriately enough The Room specialises in fine German beers, among them an array of steins and pilsners. Perhaps less Germanic, the owner is a fan of Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Rat Pack, so you get a touch of Las Vegas-style crooning with your Lowenbrau. Also the place is smaller, cosier and infinitely hipper than your average Bavarian Beerhall: check out the skimpy designer gear on these Mel-babes. There is still enough dance space to swing to and enough seating space to sidle up to the off frau-lein and offer her a sip of your yard of ale. |
F
stands for fabulous and if you’re looking for music, art, film, drinks and
food, then this multi-purpose bar/gallery/cinema space is fabulous for you.
The design is influenced it seems by the Bauhaus movement since décor
touches include a rather decadent and dramatic Bauhaus chandelier hanging
from the ceiling. The clientele though are firmly from our times, a trendy,
sometimes pretentious mix of arty babes and boys who look like they know
their Hirst from their Hockney. Films and videos are shown in the cinema (F4
also alludes to the camera), DJs spin tunes from cute private consoles and
the cocktails, expertly mixed by dashing bar staff, are spot on. Hit them
with your F4 spot. 
Named
after the street it’s in, not the Secret Agent, although the sexy,
sophisticated atmosphere in here is licensed to thrill. It’s a multi-roomed
600-person space with a powder room, private cigar lounge, dance floor,
“kitchen” and a cellar specialising in cognac, single malt whiskies and fine
wine. The Powder Room serves complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres to
members and, in a very Bond-like touch, has a closed-circuit television
filming the main bar. In the ladies room meanwhile, hairdressers and make-up
artists pass on beauty tips to the girls. Not that they need them, since
these Bond girls are drop-dead gorgeous anyway. The design adds to the
elegance. The interior walls are all sultry curves (there are no corners)
while custom-made leather sofas and chairs are finished in a shiny metallic
sheen that off sets the red carpet elegance at the narrow side street
entrance. The dominant colour is chocolate and cream while the dominant era
is 1930s art deco. Drinks-wise, staff serve every cocktail under the sun
since, like the place itself, the choice is endless. Mines a martini,
stirred not shaken.