MELBOURNE | Three Horses is the new bar by Caretakers Cottage owners Rob Libecans, Matt Stirling, and Ryan Noreiks. The 45 seat, 60 capacity bar is located just up the road from Caretakers, in the space that previously housed longstanding Melbourne bar, Troika. The space was completely gutted for the Three Horses, but name of the bar is a nod to the former tenant – a troika is a Russian vehicle pulled by a team of three horses abreast.
It’s a bright, narrow space, with a long bar on one side and high tables with standing space on the other. Behind the bar, there’s a cosy, low ceiling nook with a few tables and plush seating. At the front end of the bar, there’s a record player where DJs spin vinyl.
The drinks list is centred around cocktails, with sherry being a thread that runs through the entire menu. Why sherry? The owners have always been fans of the drink, and after a recent trip to Madrid, where they spend many nights at 103-year-old sherry bar, La Venencia, they were inspired. Sadly closed Sydney bar, Bulletin Place, was also an inspiration for Three Horses.
There are around 16 cocktails on the menu. A mix of things that will always be on the menu, and seasonally rotating options. The Caretaker’s Martini has made its way up the road. With the addition of a splash of fino sherry, it becomes a Jabberwock, which I highly recommend. Fans of something a bit more sour should try the excellent Flor de Jerez. It blends Amontillado, a dark, complex, aged sherry, with rum, elderflower, apricot, and lime.
Beyond cocktails, you’ll find a selection of interesting Spanish sherries, plus seasonal house sherries. There’s also a small selection of wines from small, independent Australian winemakers, with a focus on lesser-known grape varietals. Beer fans can choose from a few local, crafy cans, and a clean, European-style house pilsner brewed by Hop Nation.
There’s no kitchen or food beyond snack-sized share bowls of corn nuts seasoned with mountain pepper and wattleseed.
Three Horses
106 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
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Website
Open
Wed – Sat: 4:00pm to 1:00am