Privé sits above the original underground vaults of the former William Pitt-designed Safe Deposit Building on Queen Street. It once stored windfalls of the 19th-century gold rush. Now, it holds the sibling bar to Edition Hospitality’s Reine, the magnificent restaurant in the Cathedral Room of Melbourne’s former stock exchange next door.

The venue is divided into two distinct spaces. Turn right when you enter and you’ll find a private dining space with room for up to 40 people that acts as an extension of Reine. Head left and wander into Bar Privé, an intimate 24-seat cocktail bar open to the public. The bar fit-out harks back to the 1890-built heritage-listed building’s opulent history with details such as natural stones; a handmade artificially aged mirror by local maker Luke Price; Parisian designer Elsa Foulon’s hand-pleated silk pendant lights; and amber-brown sconces from Melbourne sculptor Sarah Nedovic.

There are just 16 drinks on the short list. All are complex in flavour, but there’s an ethos of simplicity that informs the cocktail list, which centres beverages of just a few ingredients. A Kir Royale, which uses just two – crème de cassis (French blackcurrant liqueur) and Louis Roederer Collection 246 champagne – embodies this well.

They’re served alongside snacky plates that mirror the French-style menu at Reine, while keeping things simple and approachable.