Match Bar, Melbourne

It’s probably the most international cast list a Melbourne venue has ever had. Match Bar & Grill, sibling to bars of the same name in London and Ibiza (as well as Milk & Honey, Trailer Happiness and a host of others), has international bar impresario Jonathan Downey at the helm, Dale DeGroff overseeing  the mixed drinks, Gilles Peterson curating the music and Matt Skinner making decisions about the wine list.

It sounds like a pre-packaged success, especially given the classy fit-out complete with graffiti walls (so Melbourne) and a huge balcony that overlooks the Roman Revival pile that is the State Library. Chef Ben Roche, an Aussie who has spent time at Fifteen and Bluebird  in London, sends out a classic local bistro menu – fresh seafood, good steaks, seasonal salads – to the three dining areas. Match food to the perfect drop by charging a  wine card and using the Enomatic sampler, which dispenses 30 wines in various measures, from 30ml.

ADDRESS

249 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

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Carrie Hutchinson is an Australian writer and editor for publications and clients around the world. A transplant to Melbourne, she loves nothing more than sharing the riches of her corner of the world with others through her stories and images. Otherwise, her happy place is the ocean, especially if it involves swimming with large marine creatures – yes, that does include sharks.