Der Raum

Der Raum takes drinking to the next level. Combining the playfulness of molecular cuisine with the finest collection of rare hooch that Melbourne has to offer, a cocktail at Der Raum is a drink, a show and a piece of art all in one. The small Richmond bar is owned by booze god Matt Bax. The dramatic display of bottles hanging from ocky straps (imitated by many, pulled off by few), small booths and crack bartenders has a whole lot of theatre about it, without the tacky flair. Cordials, pre mixed drinks, Midori and anything to do with cream is banned along with loutish behaviour. Oh, and that's a no to putting of your feet on furniture, before you ask. Gadgets for flaming or freezing things abound as does all manner of laboratory gear, used as vessels for their more deconstructed drinks. The Pharmacy is a Der Raum signature, with pear and capsicum gin arriving in an old-school medicine bottle, along with a citrus sherbert pill and a syringe of sweet Italian bitters. Administer at will. It’s dry with a citrus drag, and shows what the drinks here are all about: serious booze taken seriously, with a fat side of fun. It’s a members only affair of late, but a timely phone call can still land you a reservation. Or there's always Bar Americano.