Located along Melbourne’s Exhibition Street, 18o6 takes its name from the year that the word cocktail was first defined in print and the bar is a celebration of the cocktail throughout history.
Step inside the plush surrounds and you may think you’ve stumbled across a theatre with sparkling chandeliers and vintage images of glassware, bar tools and books adorning the walls. The bar is beautifully framed by red velvet curtains putting the bartenders centre stage. Take a seat at the bar and become part of the show as you get immersed in the craft of the cocktail or take a seat at one of the lounges or tables, settle back and enjoy the spectacle and stellar table service.
18o6 is Home to the classic cocktail and this is where you come to enjoy them at their finest. The drinks are presented in chronological chapters, starting from the 1650-1800 punch drink era and spanning the decades. To appreciate the full list and what’s on offer needs a little time and repeat visits or you could always relate your preferred spirit and style of drink to your bartender and be rewarded with an experience second to none.
The 18o6 food menu is about bar snacks and share plates from truffle slated pretzels to seasonal bruschetta and baked petit camembert along with charcuterie plates and cheeseboards.
A mezzanine level offers an intimate experience reminiscent of European bars with red velvet chairs surrounding small round table and period style drink posters. Below the main bar is The Understudy, a small bar with an adventurous cocktail menu.
18o6 is a Melbourne bar that pays homage to the cocktail in all its glory. Take a cocktail journey through time and before you leave, get yourself a copy of the 18o6 book, Cocktails, World History Through the Bottom of a Glass.
1806
Address: 169 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9663 7722
Website: www.1806.com.au
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5pm-1am; Fri 4pm-2am; Sat 5pm-1am; Sun 4pm-1am
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.