Gin Palace
March 21, 2009 | Filed under Australia, Reviews, Style
For a friend’s 23rd birthday celebrations last night, we found ourselves at Gin Palace, a laidback bohemian-type cocktail lounge in Melbourne city. Rather than being like the snobby up-market cocktail bars with sleek leather lounges and lots of glass and chrome that generally makes up Melbourne’s nightlife, the Gin Palace is about soft cushy couches that have seen better days, old black and white photos on the walls with ornate gold gilded frames, velvety wallpaper, lots of hidden nooks and crannies, and bartenders in brocade waistcoats. I’d rate it a 9 out of 10 on surroundings alone.
The atmosphere is entirely nineteen-forties, and I can only imagine what the place was like back when there wasn’t smoking bans in bars. There’d most likely have been clouds of stale cigarette smoke which would really add to the decadence and antique opulence of the surroundings. The service at the bar is excellent (the bartenders really know their drinks, and I had a long discussion with one about the merits of particular ciders), but definitely don’t sit around waiting for the table service, as you’ll be waiting half the night. Give their “Curds & Whey” cocktail a try if you visit – it’s a fantastic lemon-based drink that leaves quite a tart aftertaste.
With all that said however, the high point of the night that gave the biggest laughs was when we left the bar at about 2am in search for a souvlaki place to end the night (oily food in the early hours of the morning is best). Once we were outside the bar, all us girls stopped, pulled out a pair of thongs from our respective bags and took off our sky high heels. That’s what years of late nights on the town do to you – you learn tricks like these that make life a lot easier when walking around the city for half an hour looking for a place that’ll still sell you a souvlaki at that time of night.
8 Responses to Gin Palace
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I honestly spent a minute trying to figure out why on earth you would take out a thong. I decided that you must have not been wearing any underwear until then :P
Flip-flops make sense. No more complaining about walking around in heels!
Kaylee on March 21, 2009 #
I do the exact same thing with my thongs! Benefit of having a ridiculously oversized handbag! :)
I’ve been to the Gin Palace a couple of times, both times I didn’t even get to stick around long enough to start drinking though!
But I agree with your assesment! Based purely on surroundings alone, the place rocks.
nadine on March 21, 2009 #
Thongs != Flip Flops. Despite the link, I must’ve spent more time than Kaylee did figuring out why you needed to look like a hooker to find a restaurant.
Ann on March 21, 2009 #
I did that last night, only with boots, not flip flops. You know, winter and all.
I always have to think twice when I see Aussies talking casually about wearing thongs. Despite knowing what they actually mean. :P
Mari on March 21, 2009 #
Haha, I did the same thing yesterday after going to a friends 18th! My heels were KILLING (Killing! My shoes hate feet and want them to die, but I put up with the pain because they look great.) me… So I bought more comfy flats. Mmm.
Meinda on March 21, 2009 #
I actually scratched my head there and said ‘thongs and shoes’ until I realized you mean flip-flops.
Good thing thongs are easy to put in a handbag, it gets a lot more difficult to do the same with (snow)boots.
Chans on March 22, 2009 #
It took me a minute to understand what you meant as well. At first, I thought you and your friends took off your underwear. My reaction to that was, WTF? Most women in my city live in heels. At work, I have a pair of flats to slip into if my feet hurt, but I’m a masochist so I always try to stick it out. :)
Chantelle on March 22, 2009 #
I love little atmospheric bars and pubs! I’m not a fan of the chrome, sleek look either- they just feel so impersonal.
And I’ve learn to carry thongs or flats with me as well, because going barefoot after wearing heels for a while can be just as bad, hah.
Carmen on March 22, 2009 #