Collins Quarter stands out in the Melbourne Bar scene as offering a little bit of everything while doing it very well. Be it a meal, a drink or a Cigar; Collins Quarter will suit any occasion.

Website:

Collins Quarter

Location:

86 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

Difficulty Finding:

- For a Collins Street address, Collins Quarter is not too easy to find as its entrance is just as wide as a doorway. There is also a rear entrance off Pink Alley as well, however to start with its best to use Collins Street as its the easiest to find.

Summary:

- Type: Bar, restaurant, cocktail, cigar, champagne
- Food: Restaurant, snacks
- Music: House, Lounge
- Cover: No Cover
NOTE: As we have not eaten at the restaurant we have focused on the bar.

Review:

Collins Quarter is another bar operated by Vernon Chalker, Multiple Bar Operator of the Year 2009 (Madame Brussels, Gin Palace, The Order of Melbourne). In the style of the other bars, it achieves what it sets out to achieve, which in this case is a multi functional venue that can suit any occasion. The bar is split into several areas, the entrance of Collins Street enters the restaurant area, which then opens out onto the Magnolia Courtyard. Out the back the courtyard bar joins onto a back bar called Blind Alley Bar which doubles as sort of a sports bar, while upstairs is RA one of the few remaining cigar bars in Melbourne. The venue as a whole is quite simple and modern in its design, while not being too in your face.

The menu at the bars have their own spin on different cocktails, while they will make off the list cocktails if desired. No matter what you order, the cocktails themselves are some of the nicest cocktails in Melbourne and certainly reasonably priced at the $17 mark. If cocktails are not your thing, there is an extensive beer and wine list…and even…coffee for those that feel the need for a caffeine hit.

The pinnacle, quite literally, for Collins Quarter though is RA, the cigar lounge upstairs. This laid back, sofa filled venue transports patrons to another world and the staff are second to none upstairs, catering to every need. Drinks from downstairs are not to be taken upstairs as they have their own bar and table service upstairs, which is a more lavish menu to wet the palate that includes one of Australia’s finest Champagne lists, and to complement this there is caviar, oysters, foie gras and much more on offer. If cigars are your thing, the list available is quite extensive with staff more than willing to assist in any way they can to help make a decision and get you started. The whole experience at RA is quite simply one of the nicest experiences out in Melbourne. It must be noted that this lavish lifestyle comes with a price, HOWEVER for what it is, it is quite reasonable and there are some other places around offering similar themes that are far more expensive.

All of these experiences combined together to make Collins Quarter feel more like going to a mates house for an afternoon rather than going to a bar. Its relaxed no fuss atmosphere is welcoming and makes the time inside seem to fly bye without much effort at all.

Final Thoughts:

It was quite hard to fault Collins Quarter as it simply kept hitting the mark with regards to how it is run and portrays itself. If you are out and up that end of town, or even if you aren’t, drop in and experience it.

Pro’s:

+ Fantastic cocktails
+ RA (a pro in its self)
+ The multifunctional venue
Con’s:
- Limited seating in the downstairs area

Score:

Atmosphere: 9
Service: 8
Menu: 8
Cost: 8
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Overall: 8.25