Byrdi isn’t your regular cocktail bar in Melbourne, it is one of those places you go to find and interesting and unique cocktail, where you don’t mind paying $30 for the drink, for it’s just so darn good. You won’t get your Margarita or Mojito here, but you will get a creative cocktail that has been made with a conceptual theme in mind. The current menu is based on earth, air, fire, fur and feathers, water and an explosion. There’s also seasonal favourites, beer and wine.
Byrdi comes from Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura who wanted focus on using local produce, and experiences reflective of the season. They’ve certainly done that.
The venue starts by providing an amuse-bouche (“mouth amuser” in French) and it is melon, with lemon Myrtle to cleanse the palate before the first drink.
The waiter is friendly and explains the concept behind the bar, its history and the menu, and then gives me time to decide. Ingredients are listed on the menu, yet not the spirits, for they distil their own. They also like to use many native ingredients in their drinks. When the drinks are served, wait staff explain exactly what’s in the drink and how it came to be designed. The restaurant even looks like a little lab is brewing up and finely and precisely measuring each ingredient.
I began with their fur and feathers. They ask me if I want it with fur or feathers, I pick feathers. The drink comes served in what looks like a mini nest. Ingredients include rainforest cherry, fig leaf umesu and salted honey. It is nice and chilled and so clear and not too sweet at all. It’s amazing.
I decide to have one more, since I can’t likely visit in the near future, being from Sydney. I go for one of their favourites, the “subtropical fuckstorm” – with pineapple, banana, macadamia, mountain marigold and blood lime – so refreshing!
There is a menu of small plates like prawn toast yakitori and smashed pav, as well as a pairing menu if you want to dine.
Incredible. No wonder this bar won best bar awards last year!
Byrdi
(In the Ella eatery precinct of Melbourne Central, above the Melbourne Central train station)
211 La Trobe Street
GD075, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.
Midday – midnight (closed Sundays and Mondays)