High above the city sits Fable, Melbourne’s newest cocktail bar and rooftop lounge. Hidden within the Greek Community Building on level 13, Fable boasts exceptional views from the East End of the city all the way to the Arts Centre, Marvel Stadium and the Bolte Bridge – it’s a view many of us would not have experienced before. On a warm Melbourne night, my plus one and I headed up the nondescript elevator to see it for ourselves.
The venue design is stylish, eclectic and warm, with soft pink seating booths, an Italian green tiled bar front and wooden accents. Three quarters of the bar has a retractable roof too, for all season dining. “Our vantage point of the city skyline is unique. Melbourne’s tallest skyscrapers seem to be gathered around to reflect the setting sun, before they sparkle into the night. It feels like you’re in NYC or Tokyo.” says owner Gehan Rajapakse. He’s completely right too. The transition from daytime, to sunset and then night is spectacular.
Alessandro Nardini (Beneath Driver Lane, Nick & Nora’s, Loch & Key), excitedly walked us through the cocktail list which is seasonal in nature, but will satisfy all tastes. Designed to tell a story with every drink, the menu also features hand-drawn illustrations of how the cocktails will appear which gave us a storybook vibe (even if the stories are all very adult in nature). “A cocktail is more than just a drink to me” says Nardini, “At Fable, storytelling is what we do. Our menu of signature drinks playfully pokes at memorable moments in European history, while also honouring the classics.” My plus one and I really enjoyed their signature drinks, as well as a taste through their dedicated Martini menu (try the Al alar Del Vespro which is Fable’s take on a Vespa Martini).
We also really loved the menu’s accessibility for all tastes and diets, with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements well catered for. Executive Chef Alex Xinis helmed a two Michelin-starred kitchen in Greece, as well as being head chef at Press Club before the venue achieved its second Good Food Guide hat. “From Yarra Valley trout caviar on buckwheat blinis to a Jacks Creek marbled porterhouse and an always vegan Moussaka and dark chocolate mousse, our menu heroes local Victorian producers, blending decadence with dietary-consciousness,” says Alex.
Fable is tipped to become another Melbourne rooftop institution, a destination for after work and late night get togethers, with an open-air vantage point that is simply unmatched. Go ahead and create some of your own stories here.
– The Plus Ones
Fable is now open at level 13, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Book on their website to avoid disappointment.
