Situated in the Basement of the historic money order office; MOO boasts a sizable wine collection, an intimate restaurant and a location that shows how a classy basement bar should be done. I’m reluctant to tell people about this place because I want to keep it to myself (and friends), but its too good not to share.

Website:

Money Order Office

Location:

Basement, 318 Lt. Bourke Street, Melbourne (CBD)

Difficulty Finding:

- Without an obvious entrance it can be easy to walk right past this place and end up in the pub/bar at the end of the alley. Just remember look for the red carpet outside the doorway leading down some stone stairs.

Summary:

- Type: Wine Bar/Restaurant
- Food: Full Restaurant Menu
- Music: Lounge Music
- Cover: No Cover

Review:

From the moment you start to descend those stone steps MOO gives off the perfect atmosphere, the sounds from outside are muffled and the air feels cooler. Then the door at the bottom opens and a world of opulence and class is before you. The lighting has a nice warm glow to it and when coupled with the age of the building, leather couches and soothing music, how could you turn around and walk out? Half of the bar is a restaurant which means there isn’t heaps of room for people wanting to just drink but saying that i’ve always found a seat and never felt cramped up somewhere.

If you enjoy drinking wine then you have definitely found the right place, they have a selection of over 700 wines including back vintages. The bar tenders are a friendly bunch who know their wine and will talk to you about what you might like, what they like and everything in between. Merely point them in the right direction of your taste; have a little trust and they’ll take it from there. If you’re real nice to them they might let you sample a few to help make up your mind. They have a selection of beers on tap and a wide range of sprits and a short (compared to other bars) but all quality cocktail list.

MOO is the kind of place that makes me want to dress up in a nice suit, drink a Martini, bring along a French model… you know; be suave and sophisticated. Although its even better that the place doesn’t judge you if you don’t. I have enjoyed keeping this place a bit of a secret, a quiet place that not many people know about where I can bring my friends and have a good night out. But telling people to go to MOO who don’t know the possibilities of Melbourne’s bar scene or have only experienced beer halls I take even more enjoyment out of.

Final Thoughts:

A hidden gem that is begging to be found; MOO is a wine bar that takes out all the stops and transports you to the set of a James Bond movie, but you don’t have to have a Martini (although they make a damn good one).

Pro’s:
+ Excellent service
+ Great Atmosphere
+ Good drinks list
Con’s:
- For choice of spirits could have a larger cocktail list
- Now i’ve told more people about this place I might not get to sit anywhere

Score:

Atmosphere: 7
Service: 8
Menu: 7
Cost: 6
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Overall:7