MELBOURNE | Located in the former space of Fitzroy cocktail institution, The Everleigh, you’ll find a new cocktail bar. It’s called Moondrop, and it’s from the team behind Sleepy’s in Carlton North (Steve Chan, Jacob Muoio and Jesse Kourmouzis (ex-Above Board)). Moondrop is brings a more playful vibe to the space, while retaining the former bar’s dedication to exceptional quality cocktails.
Walk up the stairs, and the space is familiar. The bar’s in the same spot, and there’s the same little nooks and crannies where you can park yourself for the night. Design, drinks, and food wise, the theme at Moondrop is centred around Eastern culture and flavours. Jesse and Steve have been to Shanghai a few times this year, running a whirlwind series of pop-ups, spending time with some of that city’s best bartenders. Many of the decorations that you see around the bar, are from those visits.
The drinks menu has something for everyone – alcoholic cocktails, of course, along with one of the more considered and extensive low/non-alc cocktail lists in town. The ‘Me & Ube’ is inspired by the Piña Colada, and Jesse’s love of ube bubble tea. It’s a lightly carbonated blend of hree types of rum, oat milk, Licor 43, pineapple juice, ube, and tapioca pearls.
For something punchier, try the Chanhattan. It’s a twist on the Manhattan, featuring smoky lapsang souchong, chocolate liqueur, and Nikka From the Barrel whisky. Topped with a house-made chocolate crisp, it’s a great choice. There’s also Tsing Tao longnecks, and a global winelist with a focus on Chinese, and Chinese-Australian winemakers.
Food wise, Jacob’s menu builds on the kind of food he’s been cooking at Sleepy’s with Steve. You’ll find things like three types of house-made dumplings, BBQ mushroom bao, and a surprisingly light snow skin mooncake filled with vanilla and red bean ice-cream.
Moondrop
L1/150 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
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Website
Open
Thu – Mon: 5:00pm to 1:00am