MELBOURNE | The inner child in us all has reason to rejoice – Alice in Wonderland’s Rabbit Hole can now be accessed just off Lonsdale Street at Storyville. But with a dash of irony, you’ll only find it by doing exactly what your mother forbade. Stray away from the crowded street and down a dark alley. Enter through the unassuming side door, marked only by a muraled quote warning that your soul can never go untouched after stepping inside. Mum’s worst nightmare. You’ve entered the right place if you find yourself climbing a spiral staircase enclosed in tree roots. Welcome to Storyville. Melbourne’s new cocktail bar celebrated its recent opening with an evening of fire dancers, canapés, and fairy tale drinks. We made it back out the rabbit hole to tell the fable.
Conceived by the owners of Pawn & Co and 29th Apartment, StoryVille is entirely themed around childhood stories. Tree stumps second as lounge stools, glowing mushrooms light the walls, and a bird cage encases the back lounge. Inarguably the grandest feature, a massive neon mushroom hovers over the bar.
Childhood literature drives the cocktail menu. Sip on Grapes of Wrath, a blend of three different grapes (gin, Champagne, and Chianti foam) or The New York Peach, an ode to James’ adventure. For Orwell fans, there’s Mr Pilkington’s Neighbour. Or you can build your own cocktail with the Harry Potter inspired Polyjuice, served as individual ingredients with a pot for mixing. StoryVille is worth a stop, if just to read the cocktail menu.
Food is provided by Savour & Grace in the form of a “Midnight Feast.” This includes charcuterie meats, cheeses, pickles and chutney. There’s also a literature inspired jaffle menu, with clever creations such as Green Eggs and Ham and This Little Piggy.
A mix of DJs and entertainers provide the nightly soundtrack.
Next time you’re torn between lazing on the couch with Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and rousing for drinks out on the town, look no further. StoryVille ticks all the boxes.
StoryVille
185 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9993 9034
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Thu: 4:00pm to 3:00am
Fri: 4:00pm to 6:00am
Sat – Sun: 6:00pm to 6:00am
