Amphlett House

Two Australian hospitality heavyweights – chef Ian Curley and drinks whiz Andrea Gualdi – are behind Amphlett House, a slicker-than-your-average taphouse bringing well-executed pub classics and a tight but terrific cocktail list to the Paris end of Melbourne.

Gualdi is a world-class bartender and the co-founder of theatrical Sydney cocktail bar Maybe Sammy. Curley (European Group, Lona Misa, Kirk’s Wine Bar and French Saloon), meanwhile, is a lauded British-born, Melbourne-based chef and hospitality consultant.

He’s channelling his British roots with dishes like smoked bone marrow on toast, fish and handcut chips with mushy peas, and pressed ox tongue with salsa verde.

Gualdi’s cocktail prowess is all over the drinks offering. The Coffee and Orange Americano is on tap, but the rest of the cocktails are pre-batched off-site so they can be stirred and garnished to order. And they’ve got native flair: there might be a Wattleseed Negroni, a Finger Lime Daquiri and a Eucalyptus Smoked Margarita (made with an Aussie agave spirit). And being a taphouse, expect a strong selection of local craft beers in tins and on tap.

The neighbouring Amphlett Lane is a tribute to late Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett, who rose to fame in the 1980s. So, it’s fitting that the whole vibe of Amphlett House, designed by Rachel Luchetti – of Sydney-based firm Luchetti Krelle – also channels the ’80s, but leans into the style of Memphis, the rollicking town in south-west Tennessee. The room has a nostalgic look thanks to bold geometric timer detailing and a retro colour palette of yellow and green, plus there are rattan chairs throughout. Amphlett might be part of the Laneways by Ovolo hotel, but the sleek taphouse is a destination in itself.