The backstreets of Abbotsford, for decades the domain of beer monolith the Carlton United Breweries, have become home to a different kind of brew. First Pour is the show room for Veneziano Coffee, and caters to both workers from the brewery across the road and self-professed ‘coffee nerds’ who traverse Melbourne to sample their wares.

First Pour is essentially a shrine to all things Robusta and Arabica. In part, it resembles a mad scientist’s laboratory, showcasing every manner of machine to transform bean to beverage. From Japanese filters from the 1960s to a brand new, shiny Synesso espresso machine, this is the place to come to experiment with the various forms a caffeine hit can take.

It all has the potential to be rather overwhelming if you don’t know your syphon from your aeropress, but the staff are knowledgeable and approachable, and will happily walk you through the ‘flavour profile’ of the blends on offer. A good place to start for beginners is the two-course offering of espresso and ¾ latte, each brewed with a different bean, which demonstrates the differences between each type of coffee and will have you buzzing for the rest of the day.