COCKTAIL BAR

With Longrain now a resident of one of the world’s most vibrant bar capitals it comes as no surprise that Longrain Melbourne’s cocktail bar is a central point of the restaurant’s space. Dramatically set centre stage, the bar cleverly divides the cocktail lounge and the restaurant’s main dining area.

The lounge is a chic, sexy space that oozes a Manhattan-style warehouse vibe. Earlier in the week the bar enjoys a relaxed, laid-back ambience and as the week rolls on the atmosphere transforms into a party mood for the Melbourne inner urbanites that love to flock here.

Longrain takes bookings for Friday lunch but not for dinner so the secret to dining ‘smart’ in the evenings is to arrive early, put your name on the waiting list and then sit back and relax in the cocktail lounge with a pre-dinner cocktail. Or why not take the healthy option - eat early and drink later! The bar opens early and is open until late – making it a great pre and post-theatre hot spot where, if you haven’t got time to wait for a table, you can order early or late from Longrain’s scrumptious bar menu and thirst-quenching cocktail list.

The bar menu, with its delicious morsels, complements an extensive cocktail and wine list. Longrain’s infamous ‘stick drink’ is a concoction of muddled fresh fruit, vodka and ice, pounded with an enormous wooden stick. For a refreshing burst of fresh lime, order one of Longrain’s classic Caipiroska cocktails - often credited as the cocktail at the heart of the ‘stick drink’ revival. Other infamous in-house cocktails include the Ping Pong, Camp Bitch and the Bloody Longrain (Longrain’s hot ‘n’ spicy Thai take on the classic Bloody Mary and a great hangover cure!)

The red-brick wall of the cocktail lounge is swathed in a stunning vivid red and green mural, featuring artist Christopher Hodges’ ‘anemone’ silhouette. This piece was a collaborative work created by the artist with Nikki Christie (a.k.a Mrs Sam Christie, member of the Longrain family). Nikki has skillfully translated the harmony of Chris’ sea creature into a flowing felt masterpiece. Plump cream leather cushions atop wooden banquettes create the perfect place to lounge, sip cocktails and watch the chopping of chillies through the fish tank wall into the kitchen.

Longrain Melbourne’s main restaurant entrance flows naturally into the bar where you are greeted by the restaurant’s maitre d’. In this section there is even a grotto-like space where an intimate group can gather to sip cocktails, nibble from the bar menu and watch the people float by.

Music is another passion of Longrain’s Sam Christie and the music at Longrain Melbourne is a cool blend of Afro Latin beats, smoky dub lounge and jazzy breaks, all creating the perfect background for easy conversation. Live DJs are an integral element of the Longrain mix with top-shelf DJs mixing chilled sounds to the rhythms of chopping chillies, woks frying and caipiroskas clinking.