MELBOURNE | Penny Blue was one of my favourite little bars in Melbourne, in particular for its 150+ strong selection of craft beer from around the world. Chris, Jeff, and I even recorded a Brunswick Beer Collective podcast episode there back in 2015. Needless to say, I was saddened when the bar became a casualty of Melbourne’s lockdowns.
A silver lining was that the lease was taken over by Penny Blue’s subterranean neighbours, Beneath Driver Lane, another long-standing favourite of mine. After a short stint as Torino, which never quite captured the city’s imagination, owner Hamish Goonetilleke reimagined the space as Baby Driver. It’s a natural extension of, and compliments, Beneath Driver Lane. I was recently invited in to check it out.
Named not for the 2017 Edgar Wright movie, but rather for its status as the little sibling of Beneath Driver Lane, Baby Driver bills itself as “a vibrant fusion of 70s jazz and funk, international wine, and crafted cocktails”. It’s an accurate description. The space is cosy a stylish, with a speakeasy feel about it. DJs spin records that fit, and orbit around the general theme, until late. Collaborations nights with independent Melbourne record stores, showcase music from up-and-coming local musicians.
There’s a full array of drinks on the menu, but the focus here isn’t so much whiskey, as it is downstairs, but wine. The list showcases interesting and top notch local and international drops across a variety of styles. There’s affordable options by the glass, and fancier glasses of wines that are usually bottle only, thanks to Baby Driver’s Coravin system.
Cocktails are a highlight too. A selection of signatures cocktails and classics, including my favourite, Time After Time. It’s a delightful blend of Bombay Sapphire Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, chestnut extract, and apple liqueur. Beer wise, it’s not quite the 150+ strong bottle list of Penny Blue, but you’ll still find a diverse selection of around 10 options, from local, independent breweries.
Food wise, chef Juan Berbeo’s Colombian-leaning South American restaurant, Berbeo Bar & Grill has taken over the restaurant. You’ll find favourites from his Docklands restaurant on the menu, plus a few venue-specific things. Empanadas, prawn ceviche, house-made chorizo, Sher Wagyu flame-grilled steaks, leche asada, and more. The $75 chefs menu, which gets you a glass of prosecco, a greatest hits selection of food, and tickets to a live blues show downstairs, is great value. There’s also plenty of vegetarian options.
Baby Driver
2 Driver Lane
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Wed – Thu: 5:00pm to 12:00am
Fri – Sat: 4:00pm to 1:00am