A suave low-key cocktail lounge on weeknights, Black Pearl heaves on the weekend. In its quieter moments, this bar sees locals propping up the bar (to watch the bar staff swing a cocktail around as they offer chit-chat), lounging in the various sofas or perching on an ottoman. Come alone, or bring your posse; it doesn’t matter at Black Pearl.

You can get bar snacks – including sausage rolls that purportedly turned one of the bartenders against vegetarianism – until 10pm, and the drinks menu consists of about 20 boutique beers by the bottle, with one on tap that changes regularly. There’s also a limited wine list and some fantastic cocktails.

Comfort is paramount here, and there’s no pressure to order anything more than an OJ to sip from the middle of a three-seater. But come Friday or Saturday night you’ll be four-deep at the bar with your elbows pinned to your sides. If this is an issue, you might find solace in the upstairs lounge (well away from the bar) – if you can nab a spot early.

Black Pearl

304 Brunswick Street Fitzroy

(03) 9417 0455

Nearby

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Gertrude Contemporary

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