Shadowboxer is the cocktail and wine bar South Yarra has been waiting for.
Shadowboxer Bar & Kitchen is brought to you by the people behind your favourite sips and quaffs at Melbourne institutions Lucky Coq, Naked for Satan and Borsch, Vodka and Tears.
The early days of Lucky Coq brought Michael Thom and Luke Thompson together, while Thompson and Nick Aitken teamed up at Borsch, Vodka & Tears for a four-year stint.
The trio have been concocting the idea for Shadowboxer for the last seven years, and this century-old building in South Yarra came about at just the right time.
The light, polished décor designed by Melbourne studio Fiona Lynch carries through from the inside space to the outdoor terrace. White fencing surrounds the venue, offering some privacy from the street while still providing people-watching opportunities.
The focus at Shadowboxer is squarely on revelry through the simple combination of cocktails, wine and reasonably priced eats in a relaxed venue.
A street-facing terrace bar nestled on Toorak Road, it offers a sunlit space to watch the day melt into night while sipping on a cocktail and grazing on a share plate.
It’s a welcoming spot to while away an afternoon with friends over a chilled wine, or step away from the Saturday hustle of Chapel Street and order up one of their seriously intriguing cocktails.
The Mother’s Ruin, made with Beefeater Gin, watermelon, pink peppercorns, lemon and soda promises a refreshing summer drink. While Melbourne’s favourite pick-me-up, the Espresso Martini, gets the Shadowboxer signature treatment. Cardomom infused white rum, is mixed with Okar espresso liqueur, chestnut, orange oils and espresso for an afternoon drink with a kick!
Wine and beer is a line up of local tipples, with the likes of Mornington Hop Nation IPA and Once Bitter Urban making the list. Box Gove Prosecco from Nagambie Lakes is served by the glass along with a good selection of reds and whites from around Victoria.
Like the drinks list, the compact, seasonal menu is underpinned by local and Australian produce and a desire to consider sustainability in sourcing.
Designed to complement their well-considered drinks list, the menu has a small-to-large sharing plate vibe, starting with single oysters with rose granita, mint and lemon.
Earmark the Wagyu Bresola with beetroot gel, confit fennel and fried parsley or duck ribs with house made bbq sauce and a bottle of the 2015 Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese for an overdue date with a mate.
For those with hungrier bellies, Shadowboxer’s bigger plates are perfect. Try the butterflied poussin with pumpkin, kale, smoked almonds golden raisins which comes as a half serve or whole.
There are also three desserts to choose from – the rum pannacotta with nectarine, pistachios, and fairy floss is our pick – or a small selection of cheeses to round off the day.
Serving drinks and food until midnight most evenings, Shadowboxer has ‘local favourite’ written all over it.
If you’re still cuckoo for cocktails, head around to Mr Miyagis in Windsor for a fun twist to take you later into the night.
The Shadowboxer
302 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Mon-Sat 12pm – midnight
Sunday 12pm – 11.30pm
