Take the lift and be whisked to the 22nd floor of the new Vibe Hotel Melbourne. Step out into one of the city’s highest rooftop bars, the sleek Fleet – and prepare to be impressed.
It’s a gleaming, almost clubby setting (but totally in a good way!) – rather like a private suite. There’s a little bit of a 1980s glow with amber and dusty pink shades, and plenty of comfy seating. A wraparound outdoor terrace (warmed, if necessary, for those slightly chilly Melbourne evenings, but with a retractable roof for the city’s balmy evenings) means the best of all worlds.
Ask the bartenders about Fleet’s range of rum cocktails.
Did I hear you say Piña Colada ?
The deck is fab, but personally, I think perched at the long travertine bar is a top spot, admiring the 70 or so different rums. You get to watch the mixologists work their magic. Award-winning mixologist Grant Collins has created a raft of cocktails, working with boutique local distillers such as Jimmy Rumand classic rum producers from Guatemala, Jamaica, Cuba and beyond. But there is also a vintage and rare-rum bottle collection dating back to the 1930s.
A rum renaissance, you might say.
And there are some great rum cocktails for order. Piña Colada (spiced rum, coconut, pineapple, lime ) is just one option.
Cocktail heaven
But it’s not all rum. There are plenty of other spirits including gins to explore. You can order a classic Gimlet or a traditional Negroni – though there are some surprising riffs on that Italian version , one with ginger, strawberry and rose buds. Give it a whirl I say! Life is for living.
And for those who prefer to keep it straight, there are wines from Victoria’s many regional wineries, and craft beer.
Wheely good fun
We laughed when a cocktail trolley wheeled up to us, as we lazed chatting on the sofas on the deck, but what a wonderful idea. A waiter whipped up a couple of Dirty Martinis and an Oyster Shell Martini, which uses oyster shell–infused gin. (Who knew?). All very Mad Men.
The cocktail trolley brings cocktails right to you. That’s fun.
A bite to eat perhaps
One should never drink without eating – that’s a golden rule. Chef Asish Kumar’s bar-snack menu is all about local regional produce and all cleverly designed to complement the drinks. Plum scallops on the shell, freshly shucked oysters, torched Skull Island prawns with crispy puffed wild rice. Order the little mushroom croquettes if they are on the menu – they are highly recommended.
Fluffy little corn and parmesan wafers.
Come for the view stay for the drinks
Fleet offers a fabulous sweep of skyline, that turns from a golden sunset late in the day to a sparkling evening city view, an intriguing range of cocktails and exceptionally friendly service. As the staff say : Come for the view, stay for the drinks.
Fleet, No 1 Queen Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 3pm until late | From 16 May open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12noon until late.
