If you’re anything like us, you’ve had many a good time at Melbourne nightspots Father’s Office and Asian Beer Café. Good times, without a whole lot of fuss and pretence. We can thank The Retail Savvy Group for that. And the group are at it again, transforming the building that was once The Bank of Australasia built back in 1838. This time things are looking a little more fancy with new bar aptly named ‘The Bank of Collins’ set to open in October.
The epic building that was created out of New Zealand Omaru stone and metal balustrades is heritage listed with the Australian Heritage Commission and the National Trust of Australia. Used by the ANZ Bank until the 1970s the space has a lot of history under the one roof. It’s also one of the few buildings still standing after Collins Street was redeveloped back in the 50’s.
The Group tell us that we can expect a menu similar to that of Father’s Office which sees dishes like crumbed Tasmanian camembert, shallow fried, served with house made beetroot chutney and crusty bread, crispy skin salmon with crème fraiche, and quinoa salad, and the 250g eye fillet served with cinnamon sweet potato wedges and jalapeno pepper coleslaw. Plus the menu is 100% locally sourced.
The wine list is almost completely Australian featuring the likes of Penfolds and Seppelt, with a few drops from New Zealand like the Fickle Mistress Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Here’s hoping they stick close to this line up.
Take this menu, add a 17-metre bronze bar, 24 beer taps, three wine taps, a champagne bar, and a number of private areas, you’ve got the perfect recipe for aforementioned good times. The sizable space, which can cater to 700 people across all of the levels, will also make for a good spot for corporate get togethers, events, and weddings.
The Bank on Collins
394 Collins Street, Melbourne
Official site
