For a very hot country, it is remarkable how little care we give our ice. Sure, you can buy large bags of ice pretty much anywhere, but it’s the kind of ice to stick in a bath or an Esky and chill beer and sauvignon blanc; not the kind of stuff to put in a cocktail.
A while back the shiny Japanese ice machines at Match Bar were a revelation. And now The Everleigh, which sits atop the old Dante’s on Gertrude St in a space that was the GF’s first art dealer, takes it a step further. What it offers in hand chipped ice, one of the better imports from the US.
Hand chipped ice at The Everleigh.
Melburnians don’t really care much for imports from Sydney, London New York or anywhere else. We are utterly parochial in that respect yet like to think we are worldwise and trend leading.
In this cultural dichotamy I think The Everleigh, a spin-off from Milk and Honey in New York, will do well. It’s sort of hidden behind an unmarked door and on the right street.
The drinks have a degree of sophistication and attention to detail and are served in mismatching vintage cut glass, as is the vogue in all the best cocktail bars in town.
In my case, a very dirty martini (made with an interesting gin) is always welcome. Between The Everleigh, and the newly opened similarly sophisticated Attic at Black Pearl on Brunswick St, I’m in for a few late nights.
A very dirty martin with locally produced Westwinds gin.
The Everleigh
Lvl 1, 150-156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Open 5pm to 1am
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