Nom de bar: Bond Lounge
Location: 24 Bond Street (off Flinders Lane)
Accessibility details: Dress to impress
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: 4pm to 5am, Wed to Sun
Overall rating: 3 out of 10 bourbons
Web page: www.bondlounge.com
Review date: August 2002
Details:
This bar has been touted as 'Bar of the Year' and the 'latest hip bar' in Melbourne. I am sorry to say I disagree. The styling of the building is fabulous, art deco and not a square edge to be seen. Asthetically, Bond is pleasing to the eye, even with the brown \ beige coloring.
The club would probably hold around 500 people and I would suggest they cram everyone of them in. The powder room is a nice touch as is the long bar, unfortunately the queue and slow service really lets them down. Drinks are expensive and expect to queue at the door.
The only real lounge aspect is the members area, otherwise feel free to queue at the bar or squeeze onto the dancefloor. I find the place a little pretentious and not quite deserving of the title 'Bar of the Year'.
Still I have only been to the Bond Lounge three times and may well have caught them on a bad night(s). On the otherhand, if being seen is your scene, then this might be the right place for you.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Chaise Lounge
Location: Basement, 105 Queen Street, Melbourne.
Accessibility details: No dress code, but dress well
Happy Hours: Friday 4pm til 6pm. Wednesday?
Business hours: Mon - Sat about 3.30pm till late
Overall rating: 8 out of 10
Web page: www.chaiselounge.com.au
Review date: January 2001
Details:
This ones a bit of a fave. Not far from Collins Street, it can be difficult to find as its only a doorway to the basement. Have fun explaining to your friends where it is! Cool music, a little too loud for my liking, especially early in the evening.
Staff are friendly, easy going and fast. When I go out, I don’t want to spend the evening at the bar waiting for drinks. Dimly lit, with candles, subtle burning incence, plenty of red and of course plenty of lounge furniture.
If you are unfamiliar with the chaise longue take a look early evening and you wont be disappointed. If you are looking more for a club, then wait until after 9pm.
For fun ask the bar staff for their favourite drink and you’re sure to be in for a treat. Standard prices apply, around $5-6 for your basic spirits with bottled mixers.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Coopers Inn
Location: 282 Exhibition Street (near LaTrobe)
Accessibility details: No dress code
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of - Fridays have been known to produce free beer!
Business hours: Hotel hours
Overall rating: 3 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: May 2002
Details:
Ok Coopers is an after work bar for a few quick ones while you consider your options for the rest of the night. Probably a reasonable meeting place, easy to find and cheap.
This is a large bar with fast and friendly staff which will afford you more time drinking with your friends than waiting in a queue. From time to time, however they have been known to have problems with their post-mix cola.
Friday nights can be interesting as they have been known to give away free beer. Every Friday night around 7 Coopers give away drink cards and cold hard cash. How to enter? Buy a drink and you'll get raffle tickets to enter!
If you are after a reasonable pub meal for a reasonable price, Coopers Inn provides good food, be there at midday and you'll easily get a table.
You'll find plenty of suits here, while the music from time to time can be the worst of the 80's.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Croft Institute
Location: Croft Lane (off Little Bourke St.)
Accessibility details: No dress code
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: Bar hours
Overall rating: 7 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: June 2002
Details:
A little bar, out of the way, near Little Bourke Street and Exhibition Street. Hard to find and requires a walk down a long dark alley... probably not a first date location! Basically a simple idea that works very very well.
Croft Institute has gone for a science \ laboratory theme, with some interesting pictures of famous scientists along with a large range of glassware only usually seen in crazy scientist tv shows.
Quite a varied and friendly crowd, although the bar staff could probably learn to smile. The bar is small, clean and the service reasonable.
One criticism, there are stools at the bar... fine if the bar is near empty, but makes it difficult to order a drink when all seats at the bar are occupied.
Mixed drinks are a little expensive, $6.50 for a bourbon and coke, however to their credit, the coke comes from a can, which helps when searching for that perfect mix...
A good range of bottled beers including Becks, Cascade, Stella and a favourite is Hoegaarden from Belgium. Most beers are around the $5 mark or $6.50 for the imports.
You wont find any tap beer and generally there are no snacks, however they do have a small range of reasonable wines. Enjoy a few shots ($8) or cocktails, again a little pricy at $12 for a Cosmopolitan. Soon to come is locally distilled vodka.
Over all a good location for a relaxed mid week drink with friends. Bathroom was clean and employs some clever ideas in the Science theme! Well worth a look.
Reviewed: May 4 & 15, 2002
Reviewed: Sat June 29, 2002
"Sorry guys you're over dressed for tonights function, try another night." Two guys both wearing black jeans and apparently we're over dressed!
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Crown Casino
Location: Crown Casino - Southbank
Accessibility details: No dress code
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: All hours
Overall rating: 3 out of 10 bourbons
Web page: www.crowncasino.com.au
Review date: May 2003
Details:
I have listed Crown Casino here as a bar, however you will still be able to locate each of the following bars and clubs under their own heading.
Generally I'm not a huge fan of the establishments in the region, however it is a good, convenient location to meet with friends, easy to find, parking is available and there is entertainment all night long.
In Brief:
Baccarat Bar
Small glitzy bar part of the main ground gaming floor
Champions Bar
Bar part of the main ground gaming floor
Jackpot Bar
24 hour bar on ground level gaming floor
JB's (Previously Jacks Bar)
Level 3, suitable meeting place before going into the clubs
Fidel’s Lounge
Lower Shopping Promenade. A lounge bar with comfortable couches - now think cigars and liqueurs.
Sports Bar
Level 1 gaming floor. Busy, noisy bar - much like the rest of Crown
Velvet Bar
Ground level gaming floor. Small, 24 hour bar
Next Blue
More of a club than a bar, accessible without entering the Crown complex.
The Pub
New and typifies the whole Crown Experience - Average. Open till 3am on Saturdays, contemporary design and incorporating everything average about pubs. Easy to find, just opposite the cinema ticketing office.
Barcode
Open 24 hours, on the first floor and combines video games (arcade games) with alcohol. Thursday night is uni night - oh you're twenty years or older? Skip it, you'll be out of place.
Club Odeon
Nightclub near JB's with free entry before 9pm, Thursday RnB and live bands Friday and Saturday nights.
Heat Nightclub
Cocktail bar Tuesday to Thursday and features RnB and Molly Meldrum Friday to Monday. No denim.
Mercury Lounge
Nightclub for dancing. Neat denim ok, no sneakers.
As a general note, Crown bars, clubs and lounges have a very relaxed entry policy. So long as you are not extremely drunk and dressed neatly you'll get in. One of the good features of Crown is if you're struggling to find a suitable meeting place, you'll find something here at any hour.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your Comments
Nom de bar: Dr Martins Tavern
Location: 86A Collins Street (near Exhibition)
Accessibility details: Neat casual
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: No Saturdays
Overall rating: 3 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: May 2002
Details:
This is definitely a suits tavern as the main clientele are the office lunch or after work crowd. The place can be packed on a Friday.
Generally this is a clean easy going bar with reasonable service and friendly staff. Not the place for a big night out, but rather a few drinks after work with friends. Not really a meeting place, as it can be hard to find.
The building has an interesting history, however, I generally dont frequent a place for its history (unless its recent history).
This is a reasonable bar, with reasonable drinks at reasonable prices. There is no scenery and no dress code.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: E55
Location: 55 Elizabeth St. (Near Flinders St)
Accessibility details: Strictly casual
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of.
Business hours: unknown
Overall rating: 7 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: May 2001
Details:
E55 is good value, you won't find any suits here. Its a friendly mixed crowd with a number of internet computers and regular DJ. Being below street level it can be hard to find, but well worth a look.
Popular with backpackers but a good relaxed atmosphere. Spend an easy Sunday afternoon here or all night. Plenty of couches and some bar stools. Bar is big enough to get served quickly. Mixed drinks around $5 and a jug of Snowy Mountain beer for $6.
Uncle Drinkalot
update to E55 review. September 2002.
I'm starting to like this bar more and more.
They've removed the pool table and made more room for casual seating, good move.
The atmosphere is friendly and easy going enough that you can pretty much do / say / and dress as you want to.
A couple of outstanding points I'd like to add:
Firstly, one of their House red's is Preece's Merlot, a little tangy straight out of a fresh bottle but after about 20 minutes, brilliant. At $5 a glass, you can't go wrong.
Secondly, the price of there internet machines, $4 an hour, isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they only charge $2 an hour if you buy a drink (which, of course, you will) so that's a bargain!
NICE.
Your comments
Nom de bar: Exford Hotel
Location: 199 Russell St. (Cnr Little Bourke St)
Accessibility details: Strictly casual
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of.
Business hours: unknown
Overall rating: 4 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: May 2001
Details:
This is a back packers bar, there are definitely no suits here. Mixed drinks at the standard $5 and usual tap beer prices.
Nothing special about this one. The bar has an associated bottle shop and the staff could definitely be friendlier. There are a couple of pool tables and a large bar. Definitely no problem getting to the bar, but the service can be slow.
Dont bother unless you are really thirsty on your way to another destination.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Glow Bar
Location: 422 Queen Street (near Queen Vic Market)
Accessibility details: No dress code
Happy Hours: 4-9pm
Business hours: Wed-Sun 10am till late
Overall rating: 3 out of 10 bourbons
Web page: Glow Bar
Review date: 18 October 2002
Details:
Interestingly Glow Bar is also now a cafe which means it opens from 10am. HappyHour visited at around 10pm on a Friday night and found the place completely empty... well empty except for the bouncer sleeping on one of the couches.
I had head good things about Glow and was disappointed to find nothing happening at all. Due to the apparent absence of bar staff, we didn't bother to venture in. Still visually the bar has some appeal so I think we will call it an off-night and try again some other time.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Hairy Canary
Location: 212 Little Collins (near Exhibition)
Accessibility details: Dress well
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: Hotel hours
Overall rating: 4 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: Summer 2001
Details:
The Hairy Canary is a small restaurant that converts simply to a small bar in the evenings. Unfortunately it does neither particularly well. Service is not particularly good and in summer the place is unbearably hot.
Still the place is incredibly popular and trendy. Worth a visit if only to say you've been there. I know lots of people who love the place which is fine if you are chasing the image scene rather than a good time.
HC featured in the Herald Sun "Sunday" magazine's Good Bar Guide. Enough said.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Lala Land
Location: Lvl 1, Hardware Lane (cnr Hardware & Lt Lonsdale)
Accessibility details: Dress well, relaxed
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: 5pm till late, 7 days
Overall rating: 6 out of 10 bourbons
Web page: www.lalaland.com.au
Review date: September 2002
Dresscode: probably not too strict but you will feel out of place in your flano's and denims.
OK, so in case you hadn't noticed, I like loungy places and pub's...I'm just not a 'club' sort of person, So Lala Land is true to form.
Yes the name does sort of conjur up all sorts of sleepy images, and saying 'I'm off to Lala Land' can make people leave you and not call you back???. Despite this, it's a cool place to go.
It's a very soothing sort of atmosphere (most nights) in that it's very warm with lots of reds and dark colours and they keep lots of chairs, sofa's and poofs (probably both kinds) around so you can lounge to your hearts content.
The prices are a little prohibitive as their spirits start at around $6.50 and your looking at the average round of over $20 for even just a few mates, including
beer drinkers! The other downside is that it fills out a little with 'suits' on Friday nights, OK so I should wear a suit to work and be one of these myself but it's an attitude thing...
So if the couple of negatives don't bother you too much and you're up for a nice drink with funky beats and a great atmosphere, go to Lala Land and you may even stay awake long enough to get drunk!
Oh yeah, and one other cool thing to look out for is the 'Jagermeister' fridge, rocking and also indicative that they serve the stuff.... anyone who's been at the snow will know the warm pleasures of a 'meister.
JRock
Review date: October 2002
Details:
This is not the location to end your night... it is not your final destination. However if you're after a location to catch up with friends and have a qualtiy drink then this is it. This is not the kind of place to hang out at the bar, in fact expect to feel out of place unless you are lounging on one of the many backless couches. There can be a queue to get in, but it will move fairly quick.
Interestingly the simple Bourbon & Cola will result in a huge tumbler glass with a free pour of Green label Jim Beam (Charcoal filtered) and cola for only $7. Now normally bourbon and cola for $7 would be expensive, however, even the size of the tumbler makes this place generous!
Staff are friendly and fast. For fun, ask for a Russian Quaalude. It's a LaLaLand specialty and special it is. Anyone who can combine Green Chartreuse and fire into a good tasting drink is a bit of a legend in my books. And for only $8 its a bit of a bargain too!
According to Dan Silkstone of The Age, (March 17 2002) the first place to check out in any Melbourne bar is the toilets. Well I'm not so sure. However in this case they are small but clean and designated by either a rooster or a cat.
The staff are friendly and provide Cascade and Stella on tap as well as a good selection of bottled beers. Dimly lit and good music, there is no dance floor, this place is a winner if you are after a good night with close friends.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: The Lounge Downstairs (previously VIZ bar)
Location: Swanston Street
Accessibility details: Casual
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: Hotel hours
Overall rating: ?
Web page:
Review date: September 2002
Details:
Dresscode, non to speak about but it does pay to look cool (for ego's sake)
OK, so this should've been in our review section a long time ago but I'm very slack when it comes to, well, anything...
The lounge is situated just near China Town so you can feed up before hand or eat there, the menu's fairly resonable and very decent.
There's a good atmosphere at the lounge, it feels like a cafe yet maintains a bar attitude.
As far as prices go, not terrible, averages around $5.50 for wine, same for spirits and varied for beer. There's a great variety of imported beer including some interesting brews of my personal favourite, Hoegaarden, good fruity stuff!
If you're up for something a little more exotic, they do sell 'Absinthe' and make a variety of yummy coctails.
All around, a pretty enjoyable bar with very cool 'lounge' music played at a level that isn't obtrusive to conversation.
JRock
Your comments
Nom de bar: The Lounge Upstairs
Location: Swanston Street
Accessibility details: Casual
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of
Business hours: Hotel hours
Overall rating: ?
Web page:
Review date: September 2002
Details:
Dresscode, hell no, anything goes. (although they'll get more selective on the usual 'busy' nights) Despite having the same owners as the Lounge Downstairs, this is a very different feeling bar. It's very spacious and easy to get lost in (if you're meeting people at the lounge, try downstairs first and then move upstairs...). There's one pool table and a couple of pinball machines to while away the hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The balcony Rocks during summer and makes for some very long lazy afternoons.
Drinks-wise your looking at a similar selection as downstairs, maybe a little less sophisticated, prices aren't too bad and they serve Stella on tap which is all good!
The cool thing about the lounge is that they host a range of diferent evenings on Wed's, Thu's Friday, and probaly Sat' (sorry, I haven't been there THAT often...). They do Drum&Bass nights, Phat house and international DJ's fairly frequently although this comes with a cover charge.
Due to this, you need to look out for crazy speed / eccy freaks that will dance all over the place and talking your ear off given half the chance.
Better for chilling out on weeknights (early) and weekend afternoons. Great for dancing and generally going nuts during their dance nights, open till late.
JRock
Your comments
Nom de bar: Troika Bar
Location: 106 Little Lonsdale St. (Near Exhibition St)
Accessibility details: No dress code
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of.
Business hours: Mon-Sat 4pm-late
Overall rating: 5 out of 10 bourbons
Web page:
Review date: May 2001
Details:
Troika: Russian for three. Again this ones a little hard to find, but then the best bars in Melbourne usually are hard to find. If you are in the area with a friend or two, drop by for a chat and a drink. Good music, not too loud for good conversation. Staff aren’t the friendliest people, but are fast and efficient.
Not a lot of eating to be done, so relax with a drink or two before heading out or heading home from work. This is not your final destination for a big night out as it is small but still plenty of atmosphere.
Features in Mietta's Best Australian Restaurants 2002 which must be a good thing. This one I keep coming back to. No suits here though.
Uncle Drinkalot
Your comments
Nom de bar: Zukini
Location: 310 Flinders lane, just up from Elizabeth St
Accessibility details: Dress well
Happy Hours: None that I’m aware of.
Business hours:
Overall rating:
Web page: www.zukini.com.au
Review date: May 2002
Details:
So, your wandering around the city looking for something different to catch your eye and what should appear….Zukini!
OK so I’m a bit slow and I’ve walked past this place several times all the while assuming that it was just a restaurant, I was wrong.
Taken inside by an initiated one and lead into a completely empty / closing restaurant had my suspicions running high, a U turn and two flights of stairs later had me a little more at ease.
It’s a very cosy bar with lounges and small tables to perch on all around, I was there a little late (12:30 ish) so the crowd was pretty thin and manageable. The atmosphere is fairly dark and mellow and there’s a DJ there to keep the sounds pumping.
In search for the perfect mix a nabbed myself a G&T and settled in. There wasn’t the option of different Gin’s (very important to this patron) so Gordon’s was the go. It was bottled Tonic and the mix was fine.
Overall the atmos’ was pretty cruisy and not overly pretentious, I’d advise a certain level of dress code to get passed the door bitch (not very PC term for security) but inside is fairly casual. The music’s fine and the lighting is very dull for those hung over days when you’re at your crustiest, bathrooms are perfectly acceptable and clean.
OK so I was a little drunk and didn’t check out any other drinks / services but the bar folk were friendly and accessible. Very nice.
See also: 9th Ward and Robot
Jacob
Your comments