Fitzroy-inspired gin and drinks bar splashes onto seaside southeast suburb
Those in search of somewhere quirky for weekend drinks can forget the long commute to inner-city bars after one group of gin-lovers brought the scene straight to the southeast. And the second-hand decor is something to behold.
Inner South
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A group of crafty gin lovers with a love for knick-knacks has brought a splash of north Melbourne’s buzzing bar scene to the southeast.
Tucked away in the quiet seaside suburb of Parkdale, Lum Bar is saving people in search of a quirky drinks spot the wallet-stinging Uber trip to Fitzroy — with the colourful, op-shop-inspired bar throwing its doors open on Warren Rd this month.
Scattered with retro light bulbs, old picnic baskets, classic board games and funky decor, the fresh gin-haven has its cocktail-wielding guests transported on a trip through time and sorted for an endless game of I-spy.
“A lot of the stuff came from our business partner’s collections … we’ve got plenty picked up from op shops,” business partner and Dingley Village mum Lee Thakrah said.
“Some of the stuff you’d think to throw out, but then we thought actually, it would look great altogether … there’s bits and pieces from everywhere.”
Together with manager Cam Ekins, all four partners were heavily involved in extensive renovations which saw an old cafe begin to transform six months ago.
“Hospitality is of second nature to us … we’ve loved being involved in all of it,” Ms Thackrah said.
“We’ve got a lot of locals coming in, and a lot who aren’t local because they’ve heard about our decor.”
The quirky hangout boasts an endless collection of gin favourites along with fully-loaded beer taps and bottles of wine, all of which can be perfectly paired with tastebud-tingling tapas boards or the kitchen’s piping hot pizzas.
Doors are open between 3-11pm on Thursdays and Fridays, with an earlier start of 11am on the weekend.
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Happy hour runs from 5-7pm from Thursday to Saturday and between 2-5pm on Sundays, with local talents jamming it out in live music sessions on Friday and Sundays.
“We got all got together and it was crazy how we just clicked,” Ms Thackrah said.
“Lum Bar is not your average Melbourne aesthetic looking spot.
“We came in with a vision and it all just happened.”