44

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 179

A late arrival on the city bar scene, Bar 44 has a pseudo laneway location. The entry is down a small access way, however with the lounge windows fronting onto Lonsdale St, is slightly confused in its message. A front door is kept locked so that you can only enter down the side, to create the tucked away vibe. Inside the feel is comfortable with a touch of the Eighties. Sandblasted brick walls line a large voluminous room at the rear, with smaller lounge areas at the front, and a mysterious warehouse style staircase leading to the upper rooms. Bar 44 burst onto the scene with a celebrity filled opening, and has since gained a reputation for the place to meet a rub shoulders with the locally famous. Visiting footy teams go there for a few quiet ones, and tv soap stars get along to drink with the owners. Channel 31 is only a few doors up the road, and if it survives the current funding crises, will hopefully provide a few new stars to frequent this cross over main street laneway bar.

44 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Melways reference 1B:U3
Phone: 9654 9144
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 4pm-3am, Thur-Fri 12 noon-5am, Sat 6pm-6am
Licensed
Accepts credit cards
Seats Inside: 150, Outside: 80
Features: Private rooms for 20, 50 and 100
Favourites: House beer draught $2, stubbie $3.50, House spirit $4, House wine & Champagne $3