Martini maestro launches new Grey Goose-inspired bar

Melbourne has welcomed a bar with a laser focus on just one premium spirit: Grey Goose Vodka. And one drink: the Martini. 

Le Martini at Crown Melbourne is the world’s first standalone Grey Goose bar created in partnership with Crown.

The new venue is dedicated to its namesake - the martini - and will feature bespoke cocktail menus by international guest bartenders as well as a food offering from Crown Melbourne’s French cuisine specialist, Bistro Guillaume.

The 34-person space has opened in time for World Martini Day on June 19.

The martini relies on just two ingredients, but within this simplicity, are infinite variations.

Opening proceedings, award-winning industry icon Dale DeGroff, known for influencing cocktail culture in the 1980s while working at New York’s legendary Rainbow Room, has created created three exclusive martinis for guests to sip on: Harry’s Original, the Grey Goose Millennium Dry and Grey Goose Martinié Speciale.



“We’re living in the most extraordinary time when it comes to cocktails and so I’m delighted to create the opening menu at Le Martini, a bar that is dedicated to this iconic drink," De Groff says.

"I wanted to show the evolution of the martini - from what was served in 1888 to the 19th and 20th centuries and paying tribute to the new millennium and so we’ve made that happen, all using the exquisite Grey Goose vodka, which has been my go-to vodka since I participated in the world release in New York City in 1997.”

Le Martini is said to offer "the intimate warmth and cosy feel of a speakeasy".

"We are delighted to open the doors to Le Martini, the world’s first Grey Goose bar, here in Australia, with such an exemplar of luxury, Crown Melbourne," says head of marketing at Bacardí-Martini Australia & New Zealand (phew!) Sander Janmaat.

Visitors can indulge in freshly shucked oysters with a classic mignonette, or a caviar experience with blinis and creme fraiche, or opt for whipped cod roe baguettes.

Le Martini is open now Thursday to Sunday from 5pm until late and is located on the ground floor, Crown Melbourne, Southbank.

For more info visit www.crownmelbourne.com.au/bars/LeMartini

Meet Melbourne's new rooftop bar

UPDATE: Now open for business

Melbourne has a new rooftop bar towering over Flinders Street. 

Fleet offers sweeping views of the Yarra River and beyond.

Flinders Street Station, the river, Southbank and beyond are visible from the 90-person venue, which sits above Vibe Hotel Melbourne and has a drinks list compiled by cocktail guru Grant Collins.

Negronis, spritzes, and martinis will be front and centre along with drinks like the Hurricane, made from gold rum, navy rum, pineapple, orange, lime, and passionfruit. Or maybe a Tequilla Manhattan with six-month barrel aged reposado tequila, sweet vermouth, orange bitters, angostura bitters and maraschino.

There is a Victorian-focused wine list featuring names like Soumah, Ten Minutes x Tractor, Levantine Hill, Polperro and Tar & Roses by the glass.    

The drinks pair with chef Asish Kumar’s bar snack menu.

So think half-shell seared scallops drizzled in lemon chili and butter topped with Yarra Valley caviar; torched Skull Island prawns with orange gastrique and puffed wild rice; Yurrita Cantabrico anchovies served with tomato butter and rye bread crisp; grilled corn tostada; braised pork cheek croquettes; and grilled lamb tenderloin served with olive salsa, pickled fennel, and black garlic jus.  

Fleet is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 3pm until late, and for lunch from May 16 every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The hotel is at the intersection of Melbourne’s Flinders and Queen streets and notable for its original 1873 facade at street level.

See https://vibehotels.com/

Images: Tim Grey Photography