Welcome back to a shebeen-focused and photo-forward instalment of our Melbourne briefing.
In this briefing:
- The Drunken Poet celebrates 20 years
- Modernist cocktail bar Byrdi has closed
- Where to get a pint (and not watch the Grand Final this Saturday)
The Drunken Poet in North Melbourne celebrated 20 years of business this week, an epic achievement at a time when independent hospo is struggling. This is the kind of pub we all need in our lives. It has music and poetry at its heart, with live bands, Irish trad nights and women-led performances every week. There’s a multi-generational community of regulars, a distinctly no dickheads and proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly atmosphere, and a cheese toastie if you get peckish. Irish-born publican Siobhan Dooley has also been pouring the creamiest pints of Guinness in Melbourne since way before it was cool, and I’m pretty confident in saying they’re still the best.
“The Drunken Poet is a great spot,” says hospo veteran and manager at The Lincoln, Matthew Ray Crowe, who I found enjoying a pint in the sun outside the bar on Sunday arvo. “It’s a perfect example of honest hospitality. They pour one of the best pints of Guinness in Melbourne, it’s full of weird and wonderful regulars who spill out on the street, the live music can transport you to another place and time, and Siobhan is one hell of a publican.
“For me, it’s a great spot to hit after my weekly shop at the Vic Market or a cheeky pint on the way home from work. 20 years is such an achievement, and it goes to show that if you do something really well and stick to it, good, honest hospitality always wins. Long live the Poet.”
I can’t say it any better than that, so here are some photos from the happy occasion.
Photos: Fred Siggins
Photos: Fred Siggins
Around the Bars
The Drunken Poet has never had, and never will have TVs, so you can enjoy live music and a few drinks there this Saturday and pretend it’s any other long weekend. Along with The Poet, a couple of other good places to enjoy a pint without the craziness of the Grand Final include Goldy’s Tavern in Collingwood, who will be playing the game inside, but keeping the outside areas clear of TVs and commentary. Johnny’s Green Room rooftop bar in Carlton is also a good shout, especially if the sun’s out, and you can also pop into the newly opened Delmonte restaurant on ground level for an Amaretto Sour made with Italian brandy, honey and olive oil.
P.S. I love the footy, I just know it’s not everyone’s bag. And best of luck to anyone who has to change kegs in a sports pub this weekend!
In pretty devastating news, Byrdi owner Luke Whearty took to social media last week to announce the venue has closed due to “a situation we didn’t have control of,” according to his post. Although slim on details, Luke’s message has left the door open for a potential revival of the venue or Byrdi brand in a new form, but he says that they’re, “currently still working through what the future looks like.” It would be hard to overstate the influence Luke and his team have had on Melbourne and Australian cocktail culture, so the news comes as a bitter pill to swallow.
To make matters worse, Tiny Bar in Brunswick East has also announced they will close on October 9th after just 18 months in operation. “With our lease coming to an end, we had to decide if it kept striking the balance we originally intended and as many of you know, there’s no easy way to run a small business. Right now feels like the right moment to finish the story rather than sign up for another chapter,” they said.
So remember to go out there and support the venues you love.
