Climb Bodriggy Brewing Co.’s steep staircase and you’ll be rewarded with a new disco-licous cocktail saloon — Stingrays Upstairs. Situated above Bodriggy’s spacious Abbotsford bar and brewery, Stingrays Upstairs is a more intimate venue, but it can still pack a party (as proved over the weekend with a bangin’ Brazilian Carnival.) 
The custom fitout is crafted for a ‘boujie bogan’ viper room vibe. There’s velvet-lined seats for canoodling your dates, a disco ball that’s already been put to good use, and an intentionally cheesy cocktail menu. Think piña coladas with pink flamingos or a zesty blue beverage appropriately titled ‘That Blue Drink’ made with blue curacao and topped with baby’s breath blooms. The beers brewed downstairs are available both on tap and mixed into the drinks — including a refreshing Michelada featuring house roasted tomato juice, tequila, and a crisp pilsner and a Cosmic-Colada topped with a dash of a hazy NEIPA. 
The food menu has a Latin fusion flair (perfect for the Brazilian bash that helped launch the new venue). The smoked swordfish tacos with crispy fried jalapeno were a standout and you had best believe I’ll be ordering beers with a side of the house tortilla chips again soon.
Bodriggy’s main industrial-chic bar packs the personality of an independent, Australian owned brewery operating in a big inner-north warehouse. The beers are brewed in sight of bar and, if you’re lucky, you might meet resident brewer Stingray (namesake of the upstairs saloon). 
A string of monthly parties are planned for the new venue. (We recommend getting in early — the launch event saw people queuing down the block.)
– Jenny
Jenny S. is an event adventurer who is spending her time sampling craft beers, sipping creative cocktails, and dreaming about using her passport to travel internationally (and not just when she’s crossing the Yarra).
Stingrays Upstairs
(Above Bodriggy Brewing Co.)
245 Johnston St
Abbotsford VIC 3067
https://bodriggy.beer/
