The handsome Pacific House, a five-storey building with Romanesque window arches, has stood on Lonsdale Street since 1903. It was built to serve as the administrative headquarters of Sniders & Abrahams, a cigar and cigarette manufacturer that owned several buildings on the block.

In 2022, after a complete facelift, it reopened as Her, a multi-faced drinking, dining and music venue by HQ Group (Arbory Bar & Eatery , Arbory Afloat).

This heritage-listed site has strong ties to Melbourne’s art scene, which largely informs the new concept. Art and light installations feature prominently throughout, most notably a custom-lit stairwell by French designer Hervé Descottes.

Her Rooftop, on level five, is an the open-air oasis on top of the building, serving barbeque-driven, share-friendly Thai food and a complementary selection of natural wines and fruit-forward cocktails. The design is bright and playful, with Italian marble floors, orange velvet banquettes and Parisian-inspired skirted stools. That said, uninterrupted city views make it hard to forget you’re in Melbourne. With glass balustrades and dual retractable awnings, it’s the perfect all-weather spot to soak up the surrounds.

Below this is BKK , tiny, lively, theatrical Thai restaurant named after the airport code for Bangkok. It’s from this energetic kitchen that Her Rooftop’s food comes.

Next down is Music Room, a soundproof bar and listening space. It’s fitted with warm timber panels and cushy velvet booths, and stocked with a varied range of spirits and hard-to-find vinyl.

On the ground floor is Her Bar , a cocktail bar and eatery open almost round the clock. Come here in the morning for bacon and egg rolls and Market Lane coffee, or in the evening for French-inspired share plates, such as duck frites and raclette-topped burgers.