Crown Melbourne’s new R Bar by Rockpool Dining Group has a strong cocktail, spirit focus
A funky new bar will open at Crown Melbourne next Friday that’s big on cocktails, aged spirits and martinis. Here’s where to find it.
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Crown Melbourne will open the ritzy new R-Bar next Friday, that’ll have a strong focus on barrel-aged cocktails, spirits and martinis.
The Rockpool Group bar replaces the former Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne’s lobby.
Bar Manager Jamie Gibbs will age pre-made cocktails in oak barrels to create a new flavours.
The concept isn’t new, but Jamie’s project will be one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Pre-loved, 20-litre barrels used to age bourbon, sherry and port have been sourced for the process.
The negroni, old fashioned and manhattan cocktails will be the first to be barrel-aged, with vieux carre, boulevardier and sazerac following soon.
Each cocktail will spend up to two months maturing.
“You have this perfect window where oak really enhances the product inside,” Jamie says.
“All cocktails and spirits behave different in oak … so we have to keep tasting and testing the product.”
R Bar will offer an aged cocktail flight, showcasing 40, 60 and 80 day old drinks.
“What (barrel-ageing) does is change the intensity of the flavours,” he says.
“It’ll be interesting to see how those different barrels affect each cocktail.”
Martinis have also been given a makeover, including an afternoon tea range, including a camomile, early grey and sencha tea-steeped gin.
Another quirky R Bar offering sees guests choose their own martini garnish at the table.
“People have very little understanding of martinis. They know what they like and drink the same style their whole life,” Jamie says.
“We’ll have four to five different garnishes for them to try.”
What if you don’t enjoy a stiff drink?
Jamie assures visitors there’ll be something for everyone. “We have this joke in the bar that pink and fluffy is perfect for some people, so we’ll have that and on the other end clean and punchy (drinks that are) spirit focused,” he says.
There’ll be an extension of Rockpool’s wine list, a focus on Aussie gin, vermouth, whisky and vodka and low ABV cocktails.
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Neil Perry, Rockpool Dining Group Culinary Director, says R-Bar will have smart snacks like oysters or prosciutto, pimped-out salads, finger sandwiches and more substantial meals. “We want anybody who loves good food and drink to come along,” he says.
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