Just as much a venue as a cocktail bar Loop has long provided Melbournians a place to have a nice drink and listen to some great music; you might even want to dance.

Website

Loop

Location:

23 Meyers Place, Melbourne CBD

Difficulty Finding:

- Easy. If you’re there on a Friday or Saturday night just look out for the pumping music. Otherwise its opposite the bar Meyers Place and pretty easy to spot.

Summary:

- Type: Cocktail/Club
- Food: Snacks (can also Cater)
- Music: Very eclectic, depends on the night held.
- Cover: None!

Review:

As mentioned above, Loop is just as much (if not probably more) a venue space than a cocktail bar. They are a self described ‘art project space and bar’ but don’t let that put you off with ideas of a stuffy white-walled room with down lights on pieces of art that most people would struggle to understand; it is quite the opposite. The kind of art project space that Loop is one that is what Melbourne is all about.  Just looking at the schedule for the week ahead on their website shows a guest speaker for a monthly meeting of the minds for creative types, experimental sounds/visuals the next night, an animation club (not anime mind you, a club for people to produce their own animations), chilled beats, photography walks and that’s just before the weekend when the place gets a bit more clubby. But again, when I say clubby this isn’t your Loft with its RnB top 40, this is turntablism, techno and hip hop. And it changes week to week month to month.

What I’m saying I guess is it is varied. But here’s the kicker, most of the time its free entry! When someone who likes music but doesn’t like clubs, wants to see some live music but is sick of cover charges and is sick of paying too much for a crap gin and tonic at said clubs wants to know where to go to dance tell them to go to Loop. Of course it can be a bit of Russian roulette at times as what is on offer musically may not be to your taste.

This place sounds amazing you say. And it is pretty damn good if it’s the kind of night you’re looking for. But it must be known that on a Friday/Saturday night this is not the place to go for a special cocktail with someone and sit and chat reflect on life. It is a place to party, and such the cocktails reflect this. They’re easy to drink and with the exception of a few give the impression that they are for the ladies while the lads drink beer. Not that this is the place where anyone will judge anyone on what they drink, or judge you for anything for that matter. Both the beer and cocktail selection is better than your average live music venue mind you.

Final Thoughts:

A carefree place that is an excellent place for music and dancing, its the kind of place you head to after a few cocktails at other bars and then if you’re still inclined; responsibly having some more.

Pro’s:
+ Awesome music venue (provided you do your research on whose playing)
+ Usually free entry
Con’s:
- Less mature cocktail list than other cocktail bars
- Music can not be to your liking if unprepared

Score:

Atmosphere: 9
Service: 8
Menu: 7
Cost: 7
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Overall: 8.5