Inside the bar.
Inside the bar.
Brendon is on assignment to find Australia's number one voted bar. Wanna know why?
If you are in Melbourne looking for the latest hip bar, go no further. Getaway has found it: the Bond Lounge Bar in Bond Street.
This new bar exudes style and sophistication and has already won awards. It has been the venue for the Melbourne Fashion Festival, Spring Fashion Festival and Polo Ralph Lauren and Sportsgirl fashion parades. It has also been chosen by The Australian Ballet, News Limited, Murdoch Magazines, Sony Music and Radio Fox FM as a venue.
Bond Lounge Bar is definitely a 21st century club with exaggerated 1930s art deco glamour. It has no corners — everything is curved/geometrically panelled, the furniture is custom-made and curved and the finishes are metallic. Chocolate and cream are the dominant decorating colours and leather and soft leather-like fabrics have been used.
The red-carpeted entrance is off a tiny alleyway and gives no clue as to the size of the premises. It's a surprise once you enter to find it can easily hold 600 people.
The Main Bar has booth seating made up of soft, non-inflammable leather- and velvet-like material. They serve exotic cocktails of their own invention, accompanied by hors d'oeuvres.
The Members' Cigar Lounge is tucked away at the back with its own air extraction system. Patrons can enjoy table service and the walls and couches are leather-upholstered. A shoe-shine service is planned for introduction soon.
The cellar has a wide range of cognac and single malt whiskies and patrons may select their wine from a large selection.
The Powder Room serves complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres and has a closed-circuit television through to the main bar. There are plans afoot to make the Powder Room available via security card for VIP guests only.
The Kitchen is not a restaurant per se, but the chefs do turn out enormous amounts of hors d'oeuvres and other interesting dishes.
The ladies' rooms are quite large, with hairdressers and make-up artists provided to pass on beauty tips to guests as they pass through, if they wish.
Music is non-commercial and DJs provide the ambience. The dance floor rocks away until closing time, which is 5am.
