Curtin House is right in the middle of a busy city street; weekends, especially see the restaurants and bars brimming with patrons. Even with all this, the house still eludes to one of Melbourne's great secrets.
Entering the building, Swanston Street's bustle is left behind as the light dims on dark polished floors and an equally dark carved wooden stair railing. Melbournians ever in love with their lane ways (and for great reasons too, have a glance at
Weekend Notes articles
here and
here) have coined this building 'a vertical lane way'.
A sign lit up by a solitary overhead lamp casts your eyes to listings of the establishments here. These include eateries, shops, bars and offices which fill the six floors of the house. Quite frankly, this art nouveau building, constructed in 1922 and re-developed to what it is today in 2000, is beautiful. It also has a great atmosphere.
Hop up the stairs two at a time and you'll soon arrive at the bar and restaurant
Cookie on level one.
The Toff in Town a bar and live music venue you'll find on level two. If you make it to the roof you'll be rewarded with the
Rooftop Bar, which hosts great views of the city's lights and a
Rooftop Cinema. One of my favourite book stores
Metropolis will take you too another world along with shops,
Someday and
Collectors Corner on level four.
Note: A lift also operates in the building.
