Gin Palace, Lane, Melbourne

Gin Palace, Lane, Melbourne
Sunday 14 January, 2007

Stylish and seductive.....Gin Palace is the ultimate late night haunt. It is open daily until 3am. We stumbled in here after dinner at Taxi Dining Room and drinks at Transit Lounge - it was well after midnight but you'd never know this walking into Gin Palace. The place was full, not packed and there were only 2 lounges left so we grabbed them.

The staff are very laid back here, friendly and accommodating - there are 4 different menus offering wine, beers, cocktails and of course, gin. As we had seen Casino Royale with the gorgeous Daniel Craig earlier that day I couldn't go past the Casino Royale martini.

We settled into our lounge chairs, or was that sunk into our lounge chairs and contemplated staying there all night...it's that kind of place. The crowd is mixed and a little, in the know, as there is no real signage for Gin Palace. Unless you have been there before or been taken their before you would not recognise the small 'gp' sign above the non-descript door in the alleyway off Little Collins Street.

The decor is Moulin Rouge with lamps, velvet lounges and an eclectic mix of armchairs and chaises. There is an interesting mix of portraits hung on the walls - the young Sophia Loren photo was stunning - and also oil paintings. The bar, however is the drawcard, it's an array of bottles which makes it hard to decide what to have.

My cocktail was 'blow your head off' good so I could only sip it. It tasted a little like 100% proof at first but once I acquired the taste for it I was just fine.

Gin Palace is my kind of lounge bar. I wish Sydney had a similar offering

Gin Palace - 10 Russell Pl, Melbourne - (03) 96540533