Melbourne has a new speakeasy-inspired bar, Mill Place Merchants, which pays homage to the area’s former life as the heart of the city’s rag trade.

Tucked away at the end of Mill Place off Flinders Lane, the 60-seat venue is housed inside a heritage-listed 19th-century building.
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​Entering through a monogrammed red door, patrons will find themselves in an old dressing room, filled with mannequins, rolls of fabric, and a vintage sewing machine. A grand gilt-framed mirror sits at the end of the passageway, but this is no ordinary mirror … it’s a secret entrance to the bar that lies beyond. Guests then enter a cosy yet opulent room adorned with Victorian wingback chairs, chaise longues, and leather Chesterfields. 

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​The building, once home to the Flemington Meat Preserving Company, has been lovingly revived, showcasing its original bluestone walls and exposed wooden beams, complemented by golden crane-patterned wallpaper and a collection of antique furniture, vintage rugs and objets d’art, including a pianola and chess set, curated by local designers Jane Rosback and Ormes Sawyer.

At the heart of the Mill Place Merchants stands a gleaming copper-topped bar, where expertly crafted original cocktails are served against a backdrop of vintage bottles, glasses, and silver trays.
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​Mill Place Merchants Director Paawan Engineer said: “I wanted a space that offered genuine hospitality, with table service allowing patrons to relax and fully immerse in the experience.

“When guests step through the door, they will be treated like old friends, returning to their favourite venue. It’s not just about the drinks or the ambience, it’s about the people, the relationships, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of community for everyone who walks through our doors.”

The cocktail menu has been designed by award-winning Italian mixologist Giancarlo Mancino.

Paying homage to the original cocktail masters of old, the menu acknowledges Jacques Straub, author of ‘Straub’s Manual of Mixed Drinks’,  Dick Bradsell, inventor of the espresso martini and Hyman Gale & Gerald F. Marco, authors of ‘The How and When’ cocktail book, first printed in 1938. ​

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​Cocktail highlights include:

• Opera – Gin, Dubonnet, mandarin liqueur, orange bitters
• Pink Lady – Gin, applejack, lime, grenadine
• Treacle – Dark rum, orange bitters, Angostura Bitters, apple juice
• Russian Spring Punch – Vodka, raspberry liqueur, blackcurrant liqueur, sparkling wine with a fresh raspberry garnish
• Monte Carlo – Rye Whisky, Dom Benedictine, Angostura Bitters
• Juschu – Tequila, lime, honey, Angostura Bitters
• Millionaire – Bourbon, dry curacao, absinthe, lemon, raspberry syrup, aquafaba

The drinks list will also feature drops from iconic local Victorian producers, including high-end wines, champagne by the glass and a selection of beers and spirits. 

Genre-bending cocktails on the menu at Good Luck Lounge