Amelia Shaw

Above the Retreat Hotel on Sydney Road lies Amelia Shaw. Spread over four rooms, the haven-like bar and salon brings a bit of polish to Brunswick. Clint Fisher and Kathleen Clarke are behind the venture, which is named in honour of the pub’s first licensee back in 1842.

On entry, you’ll be welcomed by an image of Louise Brooks, a '60s Japanese hotel chandelier and the unusual mid-century Art-Deco cane furnishings. The theme continues throughout the other rooms. The main bar takes its cues from West Coast Deco with some intriguing constructivist and contemporary twists and a hand-painted geometric mural by Danielle Brustman.

The cocktail menu is straight out of Palm Springs in the sixties; keeping in theme with the interior's salubrious and airy nonchalance. There’s an Australian twist in both name and product with the Banjo Patterson (featuring Tasi Tasmanian Bush Liquor) and a Kir Rosella (a twist on the Kir Royale).

A small bar menu features sliders, beer-battered pickles, edamame and fries.

There’s certainly a lot to take in at Amelia Shaw. One room features both a round pool table and a pink trestle washbasin – somehow they work together. In fact, that’s the general feeling around Amelia Shaw. A cocktail bar in Brunswick? A round pool table? Somehow these things shouldn’t work, but at Amelia Shaw they come together beautifully.