Last night I stepped off the buzzing streets of Melbourne CBD and into the enchanted world that is a Friday night at Madame Brussels. I have read about this place countless times, seeing it declared time and time again as one of Melbourne’s coolest bars, and had been dying to check it out. And what better time than to check it out than on a Friday night out with girls from the office? Goodbye work for two days, hello to the first of many alcoholic drinks I dare say I will consume over the next few nights!
Even the name sounds funky – joining the likes of Emerald Peacock with a venue name that portrays an old school glamour, you know before even entering Madame Brussels that this place is going to be more than the standard bar or nightclub that are generally found on a night out to play. Named after one of the most successful brothel running Madames in the 1800′s, this venue is all about days gone past, where leisure time was spent outside, watching polo or lounging around on deck chairs, enjoying a nice relaxing hassle free life.
Where else would you enter a venue and walk down a stoned concrete garden path, where if you miss a step you will sink into the lush fake grass? Adorable! The entire venues decor give off a kitsch theme, with mismatched furniture and random knick-knacks scattered throughout the club. Even the toilet paper holder continues with this fantasy world, a whicker basket that would certainly look more at home in a garden picnic, adding to the sweet nature of the entire venue. I am in love!
I meet my friends in The Parlour and oh my! The perfect place for small groups of friends to sit and chat, relaxing on seventies styled couch settings or, as we did, at the central dining table…with wooden chairs that although looking uncomfortable where extremely pleasant to sit on. Which worked out well as once you settle yourself in The Parlour you really have no reason to move. Personalised table service awaits you my dear. With staff dressed in funky little tennis outfits, and hair curled just so, attending to your every need this fairy-tale style illusion never stops. I really could get used to this way of life, spending my days as a lady of leisure sipping cocktails in my own Parlour!
With my friends already sipping on martinis there was no chance I would not order a cocktail….it certainly does not take much arm-twisting before I turn to the elegant (but unfortunately more expensive!) choice of drinking cocktails. It is so much more exciting than my normal decision of do I feel like a red or a white? Chocolate, muddled, passionfruit, mixed berries…these are flavors and textures that mean something to me! I ask the waiter for something berry flavored and he flitters off, whipping me up a frothy-fruity flavored concoction which I receive with mixed appreciation…Yes, I love little floating cherries in my drink, but the drink is in a tumbler? I am sure there is some reason for that but it is still a little disappointing…I want my cocktail to look pretty! It is all part of the illusion. I have tumblers at home, and my kitchen at home certainly does not give off the fantasy world illusion Madame Brussels does! But alas, it tastes delicious so I am a happy girl. Madame Brussels you have certainly won this girl over.
Tags: Cocktails, madame brussels
