Discover the newest laneway bar in Melbourne for quirky cocktails and plant-based fare.
Let me introduce you to the new kid on the block: He’s dark, mysterious and oh so handsome and he loves late night cocktails.
Tucked away down Bligh Place in Melbourne’s CBD, you wouldn’t know that behind closed doors, a handsome new bar has recently launched. Occupying the former bottom level of Ergun Elmas’ Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant Souk, Handsome Bar offers a dark and intimate late-night venue perfect for after work drinks or a relaxed evening.
Ergun Elmas, alongside general manager Alla Payne (ex-Lucy Liu) and 2IC Stevie Hatz (ex-St. Ali) have introduced us to a sultry, hidden laneway bar. Featuring bold emerald green walls, chandeliers, luxurious couches and a granite bar, Handsome Bar oozes the perfect mix of understated luxury and cool, moody vibes.
Get comfortable on one of the cosy couches, enjoy tracks by the resident DJ and peruse the inventive plant-based bar menu. With names not suggestive of the ingredients making up these goodies, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed if you ogle at the food on offer.
The homemade ‘sausage’ rolls served with Rosella t-sauce are a delight, as well as the ‘bone marrow’ eggplant fondue, daikon, soy, parsley and toast.
Crunch your way through my favourite – the salt and pepper vegetables with ‘buttermilk’ and maple, or the homemade potato chips served with salt and vinegar mousse.
Handsome Bar offers a range of French and local vegan wines and beers, as well as quirkily named and unique cocktails to quench your thirst.
If you need a pick-me up, try the “Wake Up Call”, featuring vodka, lime, sugar, cherry liqueur and pomegranate molasses.
For something on the sweet side, the “Cereal Killer” comprising lemon, Aperol, apricot brandy, green apple foam and fruit loops is the tipple for you.
Tasting much better than the movie character looks, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” showcases Husk rum, tomato juice, tobacco, harissa, olive brine and vegemite brine.
Other cocktails include the cleverly named “Devil Wears Nada”, “Slave 4 U” and “Up To No Good”.
If you’re feeling peckish, make your way upstairs to the recently revamped Souk restaurant for Middle-Eastern cuisine.
They say “handsome is as handsome does”, but in this case Handsome Bar’s cool vibe as well as its striking looks are both equally as alluring to spend some after-dark hours in.