NOTE: Recorded Music Salon has now closed, but the review is still there to see what you missed out on.

Recorded music salon is somewhere unimposing that allows you to kick back and focus on catching up without having to think too much, all the while enjoying a good cocktail.

Website:

Recorded Music Salon

Location:

11 Collins Street, Melbourne (CBD)

Difficulty Finding:

- You can quite easily pass it without noticing it is even there as down the bottom there is no sign (upstairs there is one onto the street, however its not easily seed from the side the bar is on). Its the inconspicuous doorway next to 7-11 leading upstairs.


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Seriously this is the best street view picture at the moment. Its the building in the middle for those playing at home.

Summary:

- Type: Cocktail Bar/Wine Bar
- Food: Cafe attached
- Music: House, Lounge, Whatever takes their fancy
- Cover: No Cover

Review:

Standing outside the door to Record Music Salon, you are left wondering what to expect. The entry seems like it is more for a tax office in the 70′s rather than an inner city bar. Inside is a very retro-modern interior that takes a lot of influences from the 70′s, especially the use of browns, and gives them a modern spin. The lighting inside is dim, except for over the bar which is lit simply and effectively as a centrepiece. At first it all seems a little underwhelming, however spending time there you don’t really notice your surroundings much and realise that the actual venue is kept minimal so as not to “impose” on the evening.

The bar is predominantly set up as a cocktail bar with big large stools lined up against it to sit and watch the staff making drinks, but the bar is also big enough to sit there without even noticing the staff. The menu’s at the bar are not out in your face, you want a menu you can get one if you want, however I recommend just letting the bar staff know what you like and they will find something to surprise you.

The music is whatever the bar staff feel like a lot of the time, especially later on in the evening, however its nothing too imposing either and it adds to the whole effect of the venue. It can get pretty noisy when busy though, however late at night it is good as most of the “business” crowd have gone home and there aren’t a huge amount of people inside.

Final Thoughts:

Recorded Music Salon offers somewhere nice to sit and catch up with friends in a unimposing environment. It is good for an evening when all you want to do is sit back and relax somewhere without having to think too much.

Pro’s:
+ Great atmosphere
+ Amazing bar staff
Con’s:
- Can be noisy
- Not somewhere to dance the night away if that’s what you are looking for

Score:

Atmosphere: 7
Service: 8
Menu: 7
Cost: 7
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Overall: 7.25

REVISIT 04-12-09:
Upon a revisit visit to Recorded Music Salon we were sorry to see that the high standards have slipped. We had quite average service with mistakes and poorly made drinks. This has only been a recent change and hope that it was an off night, however we get the feeling that something has changed there and its not necessarily for the best.


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