The Long Room

If you’re a fan of taxidermy, silk and suiting up, the Long Room may be just the bar you’re looking for. Located at the business end of the business district, this is a place where suited and booted folk come to close deals of both the professional and personal kind. It’s a dimly lit silk-strewn club/bar, decked out with antler chandeliers, a moose head, fake flames and possibly the longest bar in Melbourne. On weeknights, the black shirted and moderately enthusiastic crew cater to a small crowd of suits, talking shop. But pop in on a Saturday and you’ll find yourself amidst a heaving throng of decorated ladies and gents with eye-catching and cocktail drinking on their minds. On these nights there are 18 bartenders on hand, frantically working away in the cocktail pit. They’re overseen by 30 drinkers perched behind them at an elevated bar. It’s like a boozy gladiator arena and it’s fun to watch the crew in full flight, but if you’re after a quiet solo drink and a bit of a chat, you’re in the wrong room. The cocktail list is frilly and floral, geared towards fans of sparkling punches and fruity elixirs. But amidst the vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur and chocolate garnished creations (that’s One Night in Paris by the by – which is more than enough) you’ll find the odd tilt towards the old school of drinks. Try a Manhattan Cinners. A touch of cinnamon and a slice of orange soften the rye whiskey, vermouth and bitters classic, but fear not for your masculinity gents, the menu explicitly states: “this is a manly drink, for the manly drinker.” Step aside ladies. If stemware ain’t your thing, you won’t be alone in buying rounds of Coronas and shots. Play your cards right, and someone might even buy them for you.