Melbourne’s Floating Pop-Up Bar is Back

You may remember Arbory Afloat, the pop-up bar that has made a home on the Yarra River for the past two summers. HQ Group, the team behind Arbory Bar and Eatery, is bringing it back for another year with a new look.

Designer Lucienne Hemingway from Curious By Design has based the space on a Mediterranean beach club; Yves Klein Blue accents feature heavily. Banquette seating makes up most of the venue, so it’s suitable for groups.

At one end, day beds are available on which patrons can enjoy a cocktail or two on sunny days. The drinks menu has eight varieties of gin matched with small-batch tonic waters and garnishes. The wine list was developed by ex- Vue de Monde sommelier Raul Moreno Yagüe.

The menu by chef Nick Bennett stays with the Mediterranean feel. It includes pizzas from the onboard wood-fired oven. There will be scoops of house-made gelato to finish. Or start.

Arbory Afloat is located on the Yarra River in front of Arbory Bar & Eatery on Flinders Walk. The bar launches on Wednesday November 15 and will stay open until February 2018 seven days a week including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Opening hours are 11am to 1am.

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