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.

It’s part of the soon-to-relaunch Laneways by Ovolo hotel on Little Bourke Street, inspired by ’80s Memphis. But the team wants the taphouse to be a destination in itself.

Gualdi is a world-class bartender and the co-founder of theatrical Sydney cocktail bar Maybe Sammy. He left the group in late 2021, but for the last four years the bar has held the World’s 50 Best title of the best bar in Australasia. Curley, meanwhile, is a lauded British-born, Melbourne-based chef and hospitality consultant – and former European Group executive chef – who’s also behind Lona Misa, Kirk’s Wine Bar and French Saloon, which transitioned from a restaurant to an events space early last year.

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Speaking about Amphlett House, Curley tells Broadsheet, “I’ve loved this part of Melbourne for many years and am looking forward to serving up humble fare with big flavours.” 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’s a Wattleseed Negroni, a Finger Lime Daquiri and a Eucalyptus Smoked Margarita (made with an Aussie agave spirit). There’s also a gummy-bear-garnished Cosmo. And being a taphouse, expect a strong selection of local craft beers in tins and on tap (there are 16).

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 House opens on Thursday November 17.

Amphlett House
19 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
(03) 8692 0777

Hours:
Mon to Sat 11.30am–late
Sun 11.30am–6.30pm

ovolohotels.com/amphletthouse

This article was updated on November 10 to reflect a change in opening date.