Madame Brussels: enjoy a garden party on the rooftop

Hidden bars is what Melbourne is known for and this one is accessed from a dodgy looking elevator that gives no clue of what is beyond.

But once the doors fling open you find yourself stepping into a marvellous and colourful venue beginning with the main parlour. The parlour is grassed so you could almost kick off your shoes and wander about barefoot – okay, it is fake grass, but it still cuts a good look, complete with garden furniture and the odd leather couch thrown in the mix.

The bar sets its scene as though you have stepped back in time, having a garden party complete with gorgeous wrought iron garden furniture reminiscent of the 1940s, timber lattice terraces and views of the city’s roof top buildings. The young male wait staff dressed in vintage tennis gear flit about Madame Brussels as they serve up a storm of cocktail bliss!

This place was full to the brim with patrons walking back and forth with cocktail jugs in hand. We sat up on the top level on a warm evening, taking in the views with our jugs of cocktails perched on the ledge, not sure what we ordered as we gave the barman free rein of choice, making it up as he went along. Our jug turned out to be a very potent concoction but oh so delicious! The terrace is a perfect spot to have a cocktail or three whilst looking out to the buildings of Melbourne either during an “afternoon session” or lit up at night.

The staff were friendly, from greeting you once you enter, to finding you a place to sit and the atmosphere is superb. If you are after something to eat, the menu is light, serving sandwiches and cupcakes, rather like a tea party but with liquor. In summer, patrons are offered pretty parasols to ward off the sun when sitting out on the terrace.

Madame Brussels has an extensive cocktail menu and is open from noon to 1am every day of the week.

Location

Level 3

59-63 Bourke Street

Melbourne   Australia