NOW EXPERIENCING:Interlude

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 12 Jun 2024

By
Tomas Telegramma


The setting at Interlude in Melbourne

Chapel Street has never seen anything quite like this Aboriginal-owned cocktail bar where native ingredients are the star and good times are guaranteed.

Inside Interlude in Melbourne
Why you goThis 100% Aboriginal- and female-owned cocktail bar is not only a triumph for Chapel Street’s Windsor end, but Melbourne in general. What proud Aboriginal women Kaylah Truth and Apryl Day have created with Interlude is a true celebration of their culture, putting native ingredients front and centre in innovative and intriguing cocktails, and antipasto platters, giving bar-goers a hell of a time while they’re at it. The sleek south-side space is decked out with plush purple-velvet chairs and plenty of marble, making it perfect for date nights or intimate catch-ups. But it also has a wild side – don’t be surprised to find Wu-Tang blasting or even an impromptu dance floor forming.
Why you stayThe party gets started in the early hours. Some cocktail bars might wind down as the night drags on, but that’s when Interlude transitions into even more of a good time. It’s open until 1:00am Friday and Saturday with a soundtrack that runs the gamut.
What drink to orderWhile classic cocktails are available on request, this really isn’t the place for them. Lean into Interlude’s unique drinks ethos and try a flavour combination you might not be so familiar with. Most of the cocktails showcase native ingredients, including a citrusy Davidson Plum Sour made with Davidson’s plum-infused gin (and Davidson plum syrup), dry vermouth, lemon juice and egg white, for that fun, foamy head. For something a little stronger, try a Martini flavoured with Kakadu plum and mango, and garnished with fresh orange zest, or a vanilla-spiked Native Espresso Martini with vodka from Indigenous label Seven Seasons.
What to pair it withInterlude opened as a bar and restaurant, but over recent months it’s narrowed its focus to be more of a drink venue with a club vibe. But, that said, there’s still some snacks to be had. Order a native antipasto platter – cured native meats (kangaroo among them) are a crowd favourite.
Some of the unique cocktails on offer at Interlude, Melbourne
Lively crowd enjoying Interlude on Melbourne's Chapel Street
Why we love itNative ingredients aren’t just used at Interlude – they’re championed, and shown a deep respect by owner-operators Kaylah and Apryl. Part of that process includes platforming the Indigenous-owned businesses that harvest and supply the produce they serve daily. Among them? Something Wild, which sells game meats and native greens, Bush to Bowl, a social enterprise centred around native plants, as well as Warndu. If you want to know where the Davidson’s plum in your Negroni has come from, just ask your bartender – the Interlude experience also has a lot to do with education.
Who to take“Black women have been feeding, taking care of and providing a safe and immersive space for their communities since forever,” co-founder Kaylah Truth told The Guardian when the bar first opened. If supporting Aboriginal-owned venues that in turn support other Aboriginal suppliers and businesses is something you’d like to make a bigger part of your going-out life in Melbourne, then Interlude is an excellent place to start.
Make it fancyWhere there’s smoke, there’s fire at Interlude. And by fire, we mean red-hot cocktail theatrics. This bar certainly isn’t afraid to dial up the drama when it comes to its drinks, so there are a few options to spice up your cocktail of choice. You can choose a “funky” glass – perhaps one shaped like a rose, leaves and all. Or you can add another element to your drink by having it smoked-up under a dedicated cloche for an extra $2.
Enjoy the best cocktails @ Interlude, Melbourne