Top 5: Bars In Melbourne

With the Project 2009 winding down for the year in terms of regular organised bar destinations, given Xmas parties and work functions for the rest of our working Friday nights, we have actually found some great beverage venues this year. Little tucked away hole-in-the-wall, down little alleyways we never knew existed, very cool and themed bar concepts.

The Canary Club has been my favourite find of the year. Great mezzanine, gorgeous booths, attentive and friendly table service, amazing sangria and tapas. Totally worth walking down the toilet smelling Melbourne Place to find!

Section 8 is a bar I should have known about, one I had heard about, but had not been to until it was drawn from the bar secrets pack for the week. A shipping container, a load of woodern pallet crates to sit on, a portable looking bar, and the wire cage creates an atmoshpere in the middle of the city buildings around it. Summer, it's perfect, but for winter they put up a shed-stype roof, for a whole other feel to the place.

Although it wasn't a Friday night drinking destination on the invite list, a few of us went to the opening of Campari House, which certainly makes it to this list of bars for the year. This bar has the versitility of dining and drinks out in Hardware Lane, booth style private drinks possibility, and a gorgeous rooftop bar, complete with astro turf.

Cabinet was a destination that had just two of us attend on the week it was drawn...and yet I think this little tucked away place is such a find! A balcony overlooking the bustling Swantson Street, and it's collection of table clusters and decor, make it a place to pop into for a quite one.

Gin Palace and Croft Institute are squeezing in as a joint mention on the list of 5 (and 5a perhaps!) GP for it's dark, ornate interior, with it's clusters of seats, and friendly and cheeky bar staff. Not for it's prices, alas. The Croft for it's novelty theme, and it's hidden-ness in an alley off an alley off a lane of inner CBD Melbourne.

Cheers!

Hairy Canary

Last night's Project drinks, we hand picked a bar to be in line with a birthday drinks Springer had planned, to mark final her acceptance of her 30th last month. For reasons soon to be blooged about, just a small handful of people were around in the office, and thus after a few beers, it was MJ and I who walked down Little Collins Street to find Hairy Canary.

We found Springer, and Skinner, and co, positioned at a great table, and being afforded great table service. We soon tucked into more beers, as we exchanged stories from our crazy week. The evening seemed to go very fast, with table service.

The group started to make the move to Brunswick for the next destination. MJ and I moved to drop some things off at hers, and spotted Gin Palace just steps away, and popped in for another drink. This was a previous Project bar, and was quite packed last night, with a good feel.

As we were there, we got news that the next destination was closed, and getting very late, MJ and I found somewhere in town to eat, before calling it quits after a strange week!

La Vita Buona

Tonight, after a long crazy week, Katie arrived on the doorstep at work and insisted that I take her to Horse Bazaar, a previous Project destination, all in the name of research for uni. So we popped down and had a beer there, so she could get a feel for the place.

Our actual Project 2009 drinks bar this week, however, was in City Square, adjacent to the big Xmas tree, called La Vita Buona. Mary, MJ and I convened there, at an outside table, to discuss the events of the day.

We sat at a wine barrel, were afforded table service, and were sitting out in a bustling Swanston Street, next to a rowdy Three Below next door. This bar was quiet, with a small interior with little intimate booths, sweets selections, and deli options apparently!

Friendly service, and the novelty of sitting outside as dusk descended held promise of the Friday Summer nights ahead.

Comme

With a pub crawl, or the races, on the cards for the weekend, this weeks Project drinks was a small catch up at a bar out of the pack, for just a handful of us. Mary, MJ and I made it down from our office, before Jenny joined us.

Walking up to this bar in Alfred Place, there were people spilling out of Comme in formal suits and formal dresses. In our neat casual Friday work wear, we were clearly not the usual clientele. Inside was more of the same, with very dressed up business garb everywhere.

There was a function upstairs, atop of the gorgeous white marble stairs. The main bar downstairs was to the right, with the bar the central point, and people clustered and loudly competing for the most lucrative work anecdote from the week. We grabbed a beer, and found a table around to the other side of the bar.

A beautiful, vast and white space, this place is clearly the posher of the bars we have found in our bar secrets pack. Perhaps one for impressing clients, or trying to land a rich, work-obsessed husband!

Claire Bowditch

Adding Double O to the Project 2009 event for our destination based on a Qantas review, found us wanting, as it's not longer there. It was behind the nondescript door next to Sister Bella, but no more. Walking around the Swanston Street area, we settled on a beer at Three Degrees for the Project drinks.

Sitting outside, in the courtyard of QV, in the daylight of early Summer, Dan, MJ and Mary and I had our customary beverage, before Dan and I made our way to the the suburb of Thornbury, and found a spot for dinner.

Finding Thornbury Theatre along High Street, we walked in here and up the huge marble stairs, to a venue that seemed like a place fit out for a school deb ball or formal. The crowd who had booked dinner and the show were winding down their final mouthfuls, and drinks, at their candlelit tables.

Claire entered the room from the back, surrounded by the crowd, and 3 accompanying vocalists, Aluka. She played Between The Tea and the Toast acoustic, as she made her way to the stage. Autumn Bone was next, and amazing and then When The Lights Went Down.

This night was about a preview into new material for an upcoming album, and recently released single, Start Of War. Claire and the girls gave us a taste of the flavour of this album, with their 80s influenced change of outfit, with sparkles, and the dance moves. She also gave the stage up for the room to taste the talent of her backing vocalists, about to release an EP in their own right.

You Looked So Good returned to older material, and was enchanting, and one of my favorites. She's so engaging on stage, chatting as she prepares for each song, with a story. On This Side was performed with a friend Claire coaxed up onto stage, she ended the night with crowd favourite Divorcee at 23.

Seamstress and SweatShop

After throwing around some bar suggestions this week with Mary, for a destination for Friday night drinks to mark her birthday and going away drinks, we settled on Seamstress. Another bar in our city that I had never heard of!

Making our way upstairs via the wooden stairs, we found the top floor with seating clusters at the landing, small tables in the middle and a booth section at the back. The bar was adorned with fabrics, in line with the theme.

Tonight was a big group, to wish Mary well on her trip, plus a group from work. We all found our drinking spot at different grouped sectors of the bar, and perused the cocktail menu.

The evening seemed to go very fast, with an easy venue to be in, and catch up with people. As people took their mark throughout the evening, Dan and I decided to head downstairs to the basement, to check out SweatShop. This open plan bar, with it's crates and cushions, was fairly empty by this time. But we did manage another couple of beers, a couple too many perhaps, in the end.

Cabinet

Last night, with daylight still blazing on as drinks are consumed in the lunch room at work, one needed reminding that we no longer need the darkness to be reminded to move on! I made my way down through the Mall, and around the corner, to discover Rainbow Alley and a little tucked away bar for Project drinks.

Cabinet is a long room, with an awesome balcony over looking Swanston Street and the hussle going on there always, entered from a back alley through a barely labeled door and stairway. I arrived there, knowing Melissa was not far away, ordered beers, and grabbed a table, looking like I was drinking with my imaginary friend.

Surrounded by dark walls, and ornate funky mirrors, Melissa joined me, and we had a long overdue catch up. My sisters are pretty amazing! Talking non-stop, we took in the select crowd, and the food that was delivered around us.

Deciding to go searching for a late meal, we walked the length of the bar to check out the balcony, which was heated, and quite an impressive bird's eye view of the heart of Melbourne, before wandering down to Chinatown for a feed.

Sarah Blasko

We had planned to go to MoVida Next Door for a pre-gig drink as part of the Project, however it was jammers when we got there, and the idea was soon ditched. A quick bite was grabbed along Flinders Street, as Kylie, Katie, Nicole and I met up ready for the night.

As we entered the beautiful Forum interior, El Perro del Mar played her solo set. A Swedish connection for Blasko, as this is where she has recorded her new album.

The floor below the stage filled, and soon the room grew quiet and dark...and Sarah Blasko emerged on stage, in a puffy white sculpture of a dress. She stood under an old style street lamp, to a dreamy background straight out of a fairytale.

Opening with Down On Love, as her new album does, she moved through this most amazing setlist entirely from the album. With one of my favourites off the album, Hold On My Heart, she opened a panel from the front of her dress to reveal a rainbowed heart.

With just Sarah and her mesmerising voice on stage, she hauntingly called out the catchline from Is My Baby Yours?, leaving the packed Forum stock still and listening.

This oh so amazing album continued, as she worked through tracks like We Won't Run and All I Want. Her voice is just stunning, and I can't rave about this show enough. Playing the album in it's entirety, but not strictly to order, the pinnacle of No Turning Back revealed further scope to the dress, with Sarah's shoulders folding out to concertina an array of shape and colour.

With the end of the 12 album tracks from As Day Follows Night, Sarah steps from front and centre of the stage, to the right, and treated us to two of the tracks from the bonus disc with the album, Cinema Blasko. Telling us how she had always wanted to do the track, she intro-ed Seems Like Old Times. Sarah then explained that whilst there was a movie of the same title, the song that came from it was lovely - and she proceeded to give us her beautiful version of Xanadu.

A set break, and a change of clothes, Sarah returned to stage in a more everyday outfit, to play a selection from her previous releases. Hammer was gorgeous. Amazing Things and Always Worth It were in there, with {explain} rounding out an amazing display of one of the best Aussie singer/songwriters around today.

Tuscan Bar

Tonight, Mary, Dan and I were the last people standing for Friday night drinks, heading off to Tuscan Bar in Bourke Street for our Project 2009 destination.

As Grand Final Eve, a couple of us were actually driving for the night, and trying to hold back in preparation for the day ahead. So we climbed the stairs and found a spot in the huge room, at barstools and table, and had our obligatory beer. A hush was across the room, really, being the night before one of the biggest days for Melbourne town. This bar has potential for being a great spot, perhaps for a chilled drink or two.

Before leaving, and having dumplings along Chinatown, we went upstairs to check out the rooftop, which is a find to definately come back to in coming Summer months.

1809

Whilst the bar's name marks the year the word 'cocktail' was formally a word, and touts itself as a place of all things cocktails, I still had a couple of beers at our Project destination this week!

After many beers in the office to see off another week, I can never switch! Erin, MJ, Dan and I were the ones to make our way down to the other end of the city, and find 1806.

We were directed to a table upstairs, to the red velvet decor, and the novel of a cocktail menu. Erin and MJ ventured for cocktail selections, twice over, as Dan and I continued with the beers.

Talk led to the footy final about to commence, and Dan and I were invited back to MJ's amazing city apartment to watch a cracking match. Stepping out onto the balcony, overseeing the Exbihition Buildings and city below, MJ has scored herself somewhere amazing to live!

Syracuse

As work drinks were winding up, Jo, MJ and I pushed our drinking in the lunchroom to the limit, in a long overdue catch up with Joey. We were later on our way to Bank Place, and to our Project bar for the week, Syracuse.

Having heard that perhaps it was more restaurant then Friday night drinks venue, I approached the MD as we entered, and he assured us we were welcome for drinks. He arranged a table for us, and took care of our orders, with very friendly table service.

Melissa, Greg and Nick joined us, as we admired the food being delivered to other tables. The bar, come tapas bar, with it's classy interior, emptied as people finished their meals and drinks, and we soon vacated also.

Jo, MJ and I walked along the brink lane to the Mitre Tavern, to have another couple of quiet ones, being a big beery Friday night!

Silk Road

After having the magic password relayed through to me, amid work drinks, MJ, Dan, Mary and I headed over to our Project drinks destination, Silk Road. This was drawn this week, less than randomly, with Jen and co having a function on for the evening here.

Running out of beer at the office, I was on the white wine early, at the suggestion of the boss - and I blame him completely for the memory blanks and behaviour that ensued!

Walking up to the posh and pretentious establishment we had all heard much about, including the rule of no denim, and the promise of being looked up and down before being allowed entry, we were sure we wouldn't get in. Back up plans were discussed, of the several previous Project finds up this end of the city, we took a punt, and walked up to the velvet ropes.

I boldly relayed our secret passcode, and was not only shown the way in, but was supplied free drinks at the bar. This was going to be trouble! Food platters passed around, and wine glasses aloft, we made our way around the ground floor full of lawyers and accountants. Upstairs amoung the chandeliers, we found Jenny and Kate, and marveled at the function they had had a hand in.

More wine, and chatting to random people with name tags bolding stating their profession, we got to explain to this suit world that we were un-tagged free-loading ring ins. Such fun!

Getting messy, and downstairs, the free booze was out, and clearly the manners of the suits were finished too! MJ and I eventually made a run for the door, after some craziness, and popped across the road into Bank Place, and back to the Mitre Tavern. Here, I met with with Matty J, Michelle, Flash and Cassie for more drinks.

New Gold Mountain and Double Happiness

Drawing out New Gold Mountain this week from the Bar Secrets pack of cards for Project 2009 drinks, Erin, Dan, MJ and I made our way down to a little alley off Bourke called Liverpool, to find this destination. Spotting a big, unmarked but oriental themed door, but having some hestitation, we were urged to enter by Springer, who had arrived just in time to lead us atray!

This little dark bar had a good selection of beverages, including our measure, Mount Gay. We snappled up a table, scoped out the crowd, and then unwound for the end of the week.

Having spotted Double Happiness just next door, at a different floor level, we had our required round of drinks at destination one, and moved to the sister bar, to check this one out too. Finding a spot at the boxes at the back, surrounded by the similar themed decor, we devoured more Mount Gay, as a way to introduce it to the uninitiated MJ and Dan. They may never think of rum the same - nor should they!

Robot

Driving back to Melbourne in the middle of the day, I polished off some work before a beer appeared on my desk, signalling the end to a long week. Tidying up, I soon made it to the tea room to catch up with the office after being out and about all week - we seemed to hit the beers more that we have for ages!

A big group joined me for Project 2009 drinks, walking down Queen Street to Flinders Lane, and finding Bligh Place. Down the end of this is Robot, where Mary, Dan, Jess, Tara, Steve, Erin and I all found our way to the bar, in this small downstairs room. Once ordered with drink in hand, we were hassled to move away from the bar, and thus made our way to the mezzanine level.

Adorned with Japanese pieces, and comic book bits, our group drizzled into a much needed relaxed Friday night at this little tucked away bar. A unisex toilet had many patrons confused, and amazingly there was quite a crowd filling the tables outside in the Lane. Another find, for a quiet drink with a small group, this one.

Meyers Place Bar

Project drinks this week were aligned with our need to be moving from work towards the MCG for the footy. Meyers Place Bar was drawn from the pack, meeting our criteria.

We had actually inadvertedly drank here back in the first week, when patrons were spilling out into the alley from both opposite bars. This Friday night however, it was cold and there was no need to hover outside for long. I actually had my first away from work beer at Loop, where Jenny, Amy and Shane had set up camp at the bar.

I ducked across the alley and to our destination for my second beer, and met up with Rick, before being joined by Melissa, Nick and Greg, and Yusif, as we prepared for the evening of footy.

Lauded as one of the city's first hidden alley bars, the interior was a fairly nondescript space, empty one minute, packed the next.

Sadly this bar was the highlight of our night, with a disappointing defeat to Adelaide for the Hawks.

Opening Campari House

After being prayed for today at work, I packed up as fast as possible, to head out for a much needed, and may I say, deserved, drink! I had received a random invite to an opening of a new bar for tonight, and given the drive of Project 2009, I RSVPed in the interest of research. And hey, anything for a mid week drink!

Campari House is in Hardware Lane, and just a stone's throw from the office. Walking the red carpet and having my named check off at the door, I went in, picked up my free champagne, and joined Melissa, Wendy, Ang and Emily to check out this new establishment. Downstairs was filling, as we scored a canape as they went past, and heard about the different levels of the bar.

Finishing our drinks, we decided to start from the top, the astro turf rooftop bar. Complete with heaters to take off the winter air, and wall of old rustic doors to add to the atmosphere, we managed to sign up as members as we downed another round of free drinks.

Down another level, we scored a private booth, adorned with old newspaper clippings and personal bar service. The bar has been re-opened for 2 weeks, apparently, and has many of the old fixtures of the old establishment. An old ball and chain from Port Arthur is at the foot of the final stairs, if that works for you!

Finding Jenny and Kata on this level, we again finished our round of drinks, and made our way to the second level, which is a classy function room. Here we were offered more canapes, and another round of drinks, and wound down to the end of a drinking school night.

Great initiative to get people out to experience the new bar, which was packed on this night on all levels. I can totally see this as a place to start off, or for rooftop drinks, for sure. Very impressed with the effort of the night, the decor and feel, and general set up. Loved it!

Eternal Nightcap

Planning to go to Emerald Peacock for Project drinks this week, and for Jule's birthday, we were turned away at the door, being told we were not on the list, and didn't have a reservation. Rich, considering our group called during the week to do exactly that, and were told that it wasn't needed, nor done.

DC, Dan, Nikki and I walked around the corner instead, back to a favourite of the Project thus far, Section 8. Winter version this visit, the little caged corner of the back alley is sporting a roof from the elements, meaning little lanterns and lights around creating a great atmosphere. We were soon joined by Melissa, Springer, Melissa, and Rick for more drinks.

Devouring red wine by the glassful, Melissa, Nikki and I soon needed to jump in a cab and head to Richmond, for the gig at The Corner. Making our way to the middle of the bandroom, drinks in hand, we prepared for The Whitlams to grace the stage.

Unbeknown to me, these shows were the Eternal Nightcap shows, which gave us the treat of seeing and hearing the album played lived, from start to finish! Amazing! Opening with No Aphrodisiac, Tim and the band worked their way through this much favoured and much loved list, from Buy Now, Pay Later, and rarely heard live Love Is Everywhere.

Tim was lead vocal for all the tracks, including Where's The Enemy and the Dylan cover Tangled Up In Blue. With the ringing of the raging Band On Every Corner still hanging over the crowded Corner, the band then played a vast selection of tracks from all over albums.

I think I heard near all of my favourite tracks, with Fall For You, Duffy's Song, and ending with Royal In The Afternoon. The night found the setlist sung in unison across the packed house, in a celebration of this perennial Aussie band.

Xmas In July

On Friday night, work put on a dinner for Xmas in July. Drinks at the office began as I was still finishing up bits and pieces, before I finally made it into the tea room with the rest of the office. A traveller got me through the walk to Bank Place, and our table setting upstairs at The Mitre Tavern.

Despite the rowdy, blokey atmosphere downstairs, our room became rowdy in it's own right as the beer and wine flowed, and everyone let their hair down. Mingling around the tables, and getting into the full entree and main spread, the drinking soon took over the focus.

By the time we were done, and had exhausted the tab, downstairs was empty, and we all traipsed the streets along to Transport. I remember that there was vodka consumed here, but hazy recall here, as the crew kicked on. I have flash backs of running up the hill back to the office to grab some things with Joey, before heading home very late....

Yesterday morning confirmed that I don't need to see The Hangover, I live it regularly! A world of pain, I dragged myself through the shower and into the car to get into town for the match. Very messy trip to the MCG, oops! We found our seats and settled in for the Geelong v Hawthorn game, with expectations going any which way.

Such a great match, with our lads playing like hungry, hungry Hawks, and trying their hearts out. The end result, alas, was one of heartbreak, and a heart stopper during the last 5 minutes. Geelong by one point after the siren. Devastated! And yet, very very proud of our boys.

The Croft Institute

Friday night drinks this week dwindled as the young ones left the office on a bar hopping mission, and Jenny's crew had their end of financial year party...which left just MJ and I to depart from the office and find The Croft Institute.

The card, and reviews on the net suggested that if you were planning on trying to find this bar, you should tell someone you are going, and when you should be back! Walking down through Chinatown, passing alley after alley, we finally found the one with Croft mentioned on the sign - as an appendage from this alley. Walking down the narrow alley, turning the corner and walking past all the big industrial bins, and then past backdoors to restaurants of the area, we turn another corner and we are in the middle of the city block, in a little alley, with red lights overhead, little seats bringing us to the nondescript doorway of the bar.

Once inside, we were greeted with a dark space filled with science-y bits and bobs all about, glass cabinets of glass bottles and jars of things, and weird instruments. A couple of seating areas here and there, we grabbed a couple of beers and sat at the high school lab bench, which included the sink fixture. I think the drinks could have been served in beakers!

After reading all the reviews, we ventured upstairs for a peek before leaving, and whilst there were any other rooms open, the Dept of Hygiene was very interesting, complete with hospital tiles, stretcher and lights on extendable arms jutting from the cubicle walls.

Such a cool and different themed bar, hidden at the end of two very dodgy feeling and dark alleys in the middle of Melbourne.

Ragged & Ecstatic

Project drinks this week were at the Rooftop Bar. Pulling this one out made the starting crew for the destination quite low, given that the bar was on the roof of Curtain House, in the cold, windy Melbourne night.

Warmed up with drinks at work, Steve, DC, Sarah, and Jess come along with me the three blocks down to the bar, and jumped in the lift to the sixth floor. More stairs to come, we met Dan at the top, and made our way to the bar. Ordering a first round, the bartender ended up throwing a pot of Asahi over me....and then still proceeded to make me pay! Outrageous!

Our group soon took up a circle of deckchairs on the rooftop, with the lit Melbourne skyline all around us. With heaters on, and shelter if needed, this little spot in the middle of the city was a treat, astro turf and all.

Dan and I then drove out to Northcote Social Club, and met Nicole, for a gig. Arriving during the set of Hoshi In The Clouds, they still impressed, and are a band to watch.

Philadelphia Grand Jury were up next, and wowed the crowd with their indie rock, and full scale energy. With the strange and attention-catching voice over introducing their songs, these three guys were very good. Their Going To The Casino was a crowd favourite, with the set ending with microphones, guitars, and cymbals being unhooked and dismembered and passed out to the crowd. Bizarre and very funny.

The main reason we were there, however, was to see Yves Klein Blue, for the sold out album launch. Having Ragged & Ecstatic just released, these Brisbane lads played out their tracks full an energy and charisma. Both Make Up Your Mind, the single Getting Wise have stayed in my head since the gig, they also played my favourites from the album, Soldier and Summer Sheets.

The encore included a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run for a birthday boy on stage, before they had the whole room singing and dancing to Polka. Such an exciting young band, with the animation of Michael on stage so engaging!