If you walk past a nondescript alley behind Leigh Street Luggage after midnight and hear the sound of bass – follow it. It’ll lead you to Nevermind, a European-inspired cocktail bar where pickleback shots reign supreme and DJs spin till late on weekends.

This place doesn’t take itself too seriously – except where drinks are concerned. There’s a huge focus on local beer, but bartenders are also serving polished house cocktails alongside precisely-made classics.

Co-owner Shahin Chegini was inspired by Melbourne’s late-night hospo hangouts – venues where the vibe is relaxed but the food and drink offering stays sharp well past midnight. Here, that means gourmet toasties with capocollo, provolone and piquillo peppers served with house pickles and crisps on the side.

A gritty, red-lit industrial look sets the tone for a high-energy soundtrack by resident DJ Geisterrüstung. The tempo shifts on Thursday nights, when it’s all about R&B and vintage hip-hop.