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LMFF LOVES BARS
Siglo Bar
Level 2, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne
T 03 9654 6631
Not many weeks go by without at least one member of the LMFF team dropping in to Siglo for an Expresso Martini and a ‘sneaky’ order of polenta chips. With spectacular views over Melbourne’s iconic Treasury Building from the open-air roof terrace, Siglo is one of Melbourne’s funkiest rooftop bars and offers an expansive grazing menu and wine list, thanks to its sister restaurant downstairs, The Melbourne Supper Club. This might not be Melbourne’s cheapest bar, but you get what you pay for – table service from attentive and knowledgeable staff, a substantial wine and cocktail list and the best late night atmosphere Melbourne has to offer. Accessed through a single brown door on Spring Street, Siglo is an ideal drinking spot for any night of the week.
Prahran Hotel
www.prahranhotel.com
82 High Street, Prahran, Melbourne
T 03 9529 2168
The lovely folks at the Prahran Hotel hosted the LMFF team for an amazing lunch in one of their function rooms. The recent refurbishment has created a contemporary feel with an art deco edge. The venue is cleverly divided into a series of small spaces each with their own distinct character – we huddled around one of the open fireplaces downstairs for a few glasses of red - very cosy! The menu offers everything from classic parmas and burgers to French-skewed duck of the day, rabbit and vegetable terrines. We had to leave before the Friday night crowd but could have easily sunk into the retro 30's couches and set up for the night. Thank you to the team for looking after us with your warm hospitality - we'll be back!
Red Hummingbird
www.theredhummingbird.com
1st Floor, 246 Russell Street
Melbourne, 3000
T 03 9654 2266
Red Hummingbird has relaunched its already existing rooftop bar adding a new Eastern-inspired 'silk pagoda' shelter, featuring silk lanterns and a glowing red cover, designed to keep patrons snug and warm during Melbourne’s winter chill. The Red Hummingbird rooftop bar is a Bali-style oasis complete with hanging wicker chairs, palms, timber decking, candles and heated, undercover areas. As well as a solid beer, wine and cocktails list, Red Hummingbird has a delicious menu of ‘bird feed’ (bar snacks).
Match Bar and Grill
www.matchbar.com
249 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
03 9654 6522
The Match franchise of friendly approachable cocktail bars, serving decent drinks without pretention, has set its sights on Melbourne. In London there are three Matches, all of them cool, all of them stylish in a laid back way. Their new outpost in Melbourne's CBD follows the same formula: a nice light interior, knowledgeable staff and good quality cocktails. The Grill part of the package also delivers, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients – the charcuterie plates are particularly good. We also like the 'wine tunnel' which allows you to sample more expensive wines by the glass.
Berlin (West Berlin)
www.berlinbar.com.au
16 Corrs Lane
Melbourne 3000 VIC
T 03 9639 3396
Just as Checkpoint Charlie connected East and West Berlin during the Cold War, this bar seeks to celebrate the unification of the two sides of this once-divided city. A secret, except to those in the know, Berlin Bar is well concealed: sneak up a laneway and walk beneath the red star of communism to seek refuge from the busy world outside. With a firm nod towards postmodern German culture, the decadent decor has been themed to represent the particular half of Berlin one wishes to inhabit. West Berlin is a sumptuous space with luxurious leather ottomans and moody lighting. The drinks list is long and table service available. Modern day spies huddle in dark private booths for classified planning of espionage and confidential sharing of secrets, or just for intimate whisperings and quiet canoodling.