The Melbourne Supper Club

by Jeni Wilson (subscribe)

In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a door.

In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a big strong wooden door,
Behind the door is a long staircase.

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In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a big strong wooden door,

Behind the door is a long staircase.
Enter if you dare.

In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a big strong wooden door,
Behind the door is a long staircase. Enter if you dare
but don't stop on the first or second landing.

In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a big strong wooden door,
Behind the door is a long staircase. Enter if you dare but don't stop on the first or second landing.
Keep heading up, through the glass doors and past the birdcage full of light globes, mostly dead.

In a bright, busy street, in a dark, dark corner is a big strong wooden door,
Behind the door is a long staircase. Enter if you dare but don't stop on the first or second landing. Keep heading up, through the glass doors and past the birdcage full of light globes, mostly dead.
Follow the staircase around to the top, don't stop until you reach the cigar and wine bar under the stars. Open to the universe unless needed, the retractable awning is left waiting.



This is the route to one of the few, last remaining cigar bars in Melbourne. It is one well travelled over the decades and despite being found by word of mouth alone, the stairwells fill every night and are frequented by the patient who don't mind the steady queue and those who are regulars, dropping in before heading out to dinner or after a big night out.



The Melbourne Supper Club is open until all hours, sometimes 6am. This is the place to have a fine wine, wistless conversation and to meet a friend or two. It is popular amongst those who work in hospitality or entertainment for it's a place to lob after their shift is finished. The age of customers ranges from those just legal to others in their 50s and 60s, perhaps older.

The Melbourne Supper Club clearly meets its needs. The menu is mostly snacks and desserts from $12. The polenta chips with basil aioli are worth the trip alone ($11). Nothing on the menu is cheap, but then again most customers do not venture to the Melbourne Supper Club for the food and this explains why the drink service was spot on but no one offered us a menu.



Ellen, one of the floor managers is attentive to our questions and proudly boasts that they have an extensive wine list. The cheapest sparkling wine is $1, so I guess that's why there is a quick turnover. It's not the place to down endless bottles of alcohol unless you are in the banking business.

Originally a cigar bar (when those type of joints were fashionable) there was no table service at all back then. Now it's one of the few cigar bars in Melbourne left standing. When the non-smoking rule was enforced about five years back, the cigar bar shifted upstairs to the rooftop, creating a new 'smoke free' stylish cocktail ambience for the second level space.



I think the Melbourne Supper Club tries to keep the 'tell a friend, bring a friend' mentality, because there is no signage on the door. It's a bit of mystery - you never know what you will find behind the door… but you won't be disappointed.

I collected a business card on the way out. It's not what you expect of such a fine establishment adorned with leather couches and exclusive cigars and impressive wine list. It's simply an unpretentious name and address on a photocopied piece of thin blue cardboard. They don't have to try to impress anyone.



On a warm summer's night or by the outdoor heaters in winter, the rooftop 'Siglos' terrace is a very civilised place to be. There are no reservations, come as you please, stay as long as you like (or longer if the queues are long). With a mixed clientele of businessmen, interstate and international visitors, you never know who you might meet or what might eventuate at the Melbourne Supper Club.

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Why? For a special place before or after a city event

When: Open every night until the early hours

Phone: 9654 6300

Where: Level 1/161 Spring St Melbourne

Cost: On the expensive side

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The Melbourne Supper Club (article)

by A Camera in Melbourne on 20/04/2015