MELBOURNE | I’ve been to a number of bars housed in unique locations over the years, and Olivine, which opened this year inside Melbourne’s infamous former Pentridge Prison, is up there. I was recently invited in to take a look.
The bar is housed in B Division block of the prison, which was home to some of Australia’s harshest solitary confinement conditions back in the day. A young Ned Kelly, before he became the bushranger of lore, was one of the prisoners who spent time in B Division.
The entire Pentridge complex, which dates back to 1851 in parts, is heritage listed. Much of the original structure remains, and has been painstakingly integrated into the bar, which is part of the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Pentridge. There’s wine bar Olivine, restaurant North&COMMON, boutique hotel, The Interlude, and serviced apartments upstairs in a new tower.
What was the walkways between the prison cells is where you’ll find the stylish bar and an airy plush couch section. To either side, behind the original bluestone prison cell walls, you’ll find a series of intimate booths. Individual cells are divided by curtains, allowing the spaces to be combined or kept separate.
The wine list, or ‘Book of Wine’, as Olivine calls it, is impressive. It’s a tome featuring over 500 new and old world wines. There’s well regarded drops from large producers, and plenty of interesting things from up-and-coming winemakers. There’s little snippets of info about each of the options, and informative staff on hand to answer any questions. If wine’s not your thing, there’s short and sharp selection of spirits and cocktails, and an approachable little selection of local craft beers.
Food comes from the North&COMMON kitchen, featuring a seasonal snack menu that showcases local producers. Things like Cantabrian anchovies and zesty lemon crème on toasted Cobb Lane sourdough; creamy Mediterranean chicken liver pate with muscat jelly, and grilled brioche; and fried chicken with spiced tomato glaze.
Olivine
1 Pentridge Boulevard
Coburg
Victoria 3058
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9100 9116
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Tue – Fri: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 2:00pm to 11:00pm