NOW EXPERIENCING:Arbory Bar & Eatery
Drinks Directory|Melbourne – CBD|Date night|Good for groups

Arbory Bar & Eatery

Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Phone
(03) 9614 0023
Website
arbory.com.au
Instagram
@arboryeatery

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 21 Dec 2022

By
Michael Harry

The terrace areas at Arbory Bar and Eatery next to the Yarra River in Melbourne CBD

Arbory is the outdoor spot for all seasons, with a sprawling Yarra River frontage, a floating pop-up in the warmer months, and crowd-pleasing beers, burgers and cocktails on tap.

Why you goDrinks in the city? Arbory. In a big group? Arbory. Blue-sky weather? You guessed it. This sprawling outdoor riverside bar is one of the best no-brainer meeting spots in town, with hundreds of seats along the Yarra, and powerful heaters and sturdy umbrellas for when the weather turns (and you know it will). The main venue was reclaimed from a disused stretch of Flinders Street Station, so it’s rather convenient for public transport. Perched above the water like a giant stage, it offers postcard views of the city, order-at-the-bar drinks and take-a-number food. From October to June, floating spin-off Arbory Afloat is tethered to the bank. The 69-metre, two-storey barge has an annual theme – Turkish Riviera, perhaps – and brings Euro pool-party vibes to the heart of Melbourne.
Enjoying a drink with river views at Arbory Bar & Eatery
Why you stayOn a warm evening you might convince yourself you’re on the banks of the Seine in Paris, or one of the world’s other great meandering rivers. In the wrong hands this place might have been a soulless tourist trap, but HQ Group – the industrious owner that recently opened a second, equally huge bar and restaurant called Her – has kept things cool and casual, fun and friendly. The prices are reasonable, the food is top drinking fare, and the design is stylishly functional. Walking the main deck to land a seat can be like strutting down a catwalk – on one side a long, narrow bench is lined with fixed stools overlooking Southbank, on the other tall tables are packed with all walks of Melbourne life, from old friends to young families. Some are in it for the long haul, ordering another round while rotating DJs spin upbeat tunes; others are just here for a quick drink on the way to the football, the theatre, or the next great adventure.
What drink to orderOne of the more ingenious inventions of recent years must be the cocktail on tap. Arbory was an early adopter of the technology, and pours pre-mixed =Espresso Martinis, Negronis and Aperol Spritz that are as popular as the draught beers. The wine list is a pocket rocket, covering a single page on the back of the food menu with an affordable selection of sparkling, white, red and rosé. Most bottles are priced from $60 to $90 and come from on-trend Victorian, South Australian, and European producers (hello, Garagiste chardonnay, Sigurd natural rosé, Stéphane Aviron Beaujolais). Several reliable drops are available by the glass – maybe a Denton “Shed” pinot noir from the Yarra Valley or a Shaw & Smith sauvignon blanc from the Adelaide Hills. Celebrating something special? Pop a bottle of Champagne such as the Taittinger Brut “Réserve” and hope the weather holds out.
A cocktail at Arbory in Melbourne's CBD
The varied dishes at Arbory Bar & Eatery
What to pair it withA broad all-day menu means you can order grilled lamb cutlets with anchovy and caper sauce at 11:30am, although most punters opt for diner-style dishes blessed by the deep fryer. The offering is split into three sections: “sandwiches and burgers”, with an emphasis on drippy, hefty burgers (including vegetarian and vegan versions), “smaller”, a roll call of tasty drinking snacks such as a croquette of the day, halloumi chips and calamari, and “larger”, which features more gourmet gear such as leek risotto with prosciutto and blue cheese, or steamed mussels in a fragrant saffron broth. Bowls spilling with crinkle-cut chips are on almost every table – kick things up a notch and have them showered with truffle-scented pecorino cheese.
Regular’s tipBig groups are more than welcome; tables of up to 40 are encouraged to order the good-value $55 three-course set menu of snacks, main courses and desserts for all. Stuck for a present idea? Get an Arbory gift voucher.
Why we love itThe Arbory is one of those places that’s always open, always has a table (or at least somewhere to balance your gin and tonic) and will cheerfully accept almost anyone. You can rock up direct from the Frankston Line train wearing cycling lycra or a garish Halloween costume and no one will blink an eye. There’s also a dedicated late-night food menu with the likes of fried chicken wings, dips, and the dependable burgers available after 11pm.
Don’t leave withoutA turn around Arbory Afloat. It’s got a pool with rentable daybeds and cabanas, and the cocktails have an annual theme – the most recent, Turquoise Coast, featured Turkish Teapots (actually jugs) of drinks based on spirit collaborations with local distillers such as Four Pillars and Maidenii.
Sponsor logo
In partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Authour image
Michael HarryMichael Harry is the food and lifestyle publisher at Hardie Grant Books. He was previously the editor of The Age Good Food Guide and lifestyle editor of Good Weekend.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryAfter work drinksFamily affairOutdoor areaCasual catch-upMelbourne – CBDGood for groupsMelbourneDate nightMeal and a bevPubBar
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