Get ready to spend summer in 1980’s Palm Springs. Fancy Hanks, BBQ purveyor extraordinaire, launched their new rooftop bar, Good Heavens, on the first day of summer. Sunshine and good times were flowing along with the beer and cocktails.
Their new CBD venue is located within spitting distance of rooftop favourites Madame Brussels and Loop Roof.
Instead of tennis uniforms (as at Madame B’s), the staff is clad in laid-back Hawaiian shirts. The baby blue motif and sweet summer cocktail menu complete the ‘Fancy Hanks goes to Palm Springs in the 80’s’ theme.
The first thing I do when visiting a new bar is scan what (if anything) the bar is stocking from independent distilleries and breweries. In addition to the standard big brands, there is a good selection from Australian gin powerhouses West Winds Gin, Four Pillars, and Archie Rose, as well as Stolen Rum from New Zealand.
Asahi and Mountain Goat are well represented on the taps (Ashai is a large Japanese company that bought out Mountain Goat last year.) But likes of Hop Culture from Mornington Peninsula Brewery and Two Birds‘ award-winning Sunset Ale are pouring too, along with a quality selection of bottles.
Good Heavens provides casual bar snacks with burgers and deep fried cauliflower — points for providing an alternative to chips for the vegetarians in attendance. There’s also Fancy Hank’s unique take on nachos, with slow cooked beef brisket, mole sauce, and queso cheese. (We learned the hard way to avoid wearing anything white when getting up close and personal with the savoury chocolate mole sauce.)
The much-anticipated rooftop venue is a major improvement to the location previously occupied by the Tuscan bar. The wait is finally over and Good Heaven’s doors are open for the summer.
– Jenny
Jenny S. is an event adventurer. When she’s not attending live shows, you can find her sampling the latest craft beer or sipping a creative cocktail.
Good Heavens
Level 2, 79 Bourke St.
Melbourne VIC 3000
