Heroes

A night at Heroes begins on Bourke Street, in the venue’s dumpling and bao joint on street level. At the back is an elevator that takes you from the fun, convivial energy of the restaurant to the cyberpunk aesthetic of Heroes, an Asian-inspired karaoke bar and rooftop bar high above the city.

When the elevator doors open to reveal the neon-lit main bar, the immediate impression is one of visual chaos. An explosion of posters featuring Malaysian ads and classic Southeast Asian pop groups line the walls. A Chinese dragon winds its way through multicoloured hula hoops and bunches of plastic fruit. Shiny black tables and bar stools fill the narrow space.

If you want to belt out a tune, enquire underneath the disco ball, then head down the stairwell – flanked by a wall of ’90s band posters – following the sounds of karaoke to level one or the basement. There are four private rooms that you can book online, as well as an open stage on level two if you’re feeling extra confident.

Upstairs, the rooftop bar is filled with bright lights and colourful tables. The crumbling street-facing facade remains, but the old roof has been knocked out to create a relaxed, open-air spot to peruse the fun list of cocktails. You might order house favourites like the Cardi B (a pineapple and coconut Margarita) or an easy-drinking classic like a Mojito. There are also Aperol spritzes available by the glass or jug.

Whether you’re fuelling up at the ground-floor restaurant before a night of karaoke or chasing a fortifying snack up on the rooftop, food comes courtesy of Melbourne dumpling crew Drumplings. Choose classics such as prawn hargow or scallop-filled dumplings, or go for fun fillings such as cheeseburger, mac ’n’ cheese or pepperoni pizza. A tight list of snacks and bao – filled with either karaage chicken, barbeque pork or mushroom – rounds out the offering.