The earliest record of the term cocktail being used is from 1806, and as such the bar with the same name sets out to educate us on where the cocktail has come from through to its current incarnation.

Website:

1806

Location:

169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (City)

Difficulty Finding:

- Easy, Big window facing Exhibition street with logo in it. Pretty hard to miss.


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Summary:

- Type: Cocktail bar
- Food: Snack menu
- Music: Lounge music
- Cover: None

Review:

There are many ways to draw a crowd into a bar, cheap drinks, food, nights for the ‘ladies’, 1806‘s hook is to offer patrons the ability to try cocktails from the first known use of the word. Situated on Exhibition street, its its unassuming entrance says it all. There is even a plaque commemorating the fact that “nothing interesting has happened here” at the doorway. The bar does not set out to impress patrons with visual gimmicks, instead it relies on the richness of it’s menu. This doesn’t mean that the bar doesn’t have charm, as sitting at the bar watching the staff mix drinks give the feeling that one is watching a stage show with the whole place feeling like a compressed theatre complete with curtains and stalls on the first floor

For visual appeal I would recommend watching the staff make the ‘Blue Blazer’ as liquid flames always impress. If available, the more traditional “Pusser’s Rum” is available, back in the day a pint of Pusser’s was included in the rations for servicemen in the British Navy each day. Now though it is served with sugar and limes in a period tin cup, around the cup are phrases from the time deciphered to allow anyone to feel like a scurvy sea dog while drinking at the bar.

Even though there is an elaborate menu with detailed explanations of the origins of the drinks on offer, staff at 1806 are able to provide further insight where required. This might be hindered at busy times as it is only a relatively small bar.

In July 2008 1806 won an International award for the world’s best cocktail list, so if the rest of this review hasn’t been enough to entice you to pop in and try it I recommend heading down to see what all the fuss is about with the menu.

Final Thoughts:

1806 is a great venue to go and learn about where cocktails have come without feeling like you have gone to a history lesson.

Pro’s:
+ Great menu concept with lots of detail and diversity.
+ Friendly and knowledgeable bar staff.
Con’s:
- Small size and open first floor can lead to lots of noise.

Score:

Atmosphere: 8.5
Service: 9
Menu: 9
Cost: 8
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Overall: 8.6


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