Vision for Melbourne’s new floating bar revealed

Post-lockdown drinks could be held on Victoria Harbour, with designs floated for a massive bar and function centre featuring an underwater cellar.

The floating venue has been proposed for North Wharf. Picture: Bronter consulting.

A new floating function centre with bars and stunning city views has been proposed for Victoria Harbour at Docklands in a bid to bring some buzz back to Melbourne.

Plans for a unique two-storey outdoor entertainment venue with a stage, decks, drink and dining areas and an underwater cellar are being considered for a disused section of North Wharf.

The twin-deck floating venue would boast a retractable roof, mezzanine, private lounge and kitchen, with patrons entering the 745 sqm space via a gangway at the western end of the wharf.

The plans submitted to the City of Melbourne would transform a vacant mooring site and nearby land into a fancy floating barge with space for 750 revellers.

An artist's impression of the floating function centre proposed for North Wharf. Picture: Bronter consulting.

The floating function centre would be open on a sunny day. Picture: Bronter consulting.

There are hopes the venue could revitalise the Docklands. Picture: Bronter consulting.

Deputy Mayor Nick Reece said Docklands had been “hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic” and the proposal could “help revitalise the area and bring people back, when restrictions allow”.

“It’s fantastic to see a proposal to establish a new venue on the water in Docklands,” he said.

“This is a spectacular location at the very end of North Wharf Rd. However any new application for this area must be carefully assessed so there is due regard to adjoining amenity.”

Revellers would arrive by foot via pedestrian paths to Victoria Harbour Promenade or in taxis and rideshare services, with a porte-cochere area for drop off and pick ups to accommodate buses and up to 12 vehicles at a time.

The floating venue would have a motorised retractable roof and blinds to protect patrons from Melbourne’s famous weather.

The 745 sqm venue, to be called “ATET” would operate from 6am-11pm Monday to Thursday and to 1am Friday to Sunday, with a courtesy bus to the city and Southern Cross Station after 10pm.

The bar would have a motorised retractable roof and blinds. Picture: Bronter consulting

A report to council by town planners Planning and Property Partners said: “the development proposes a high-level modern design incorporating a functional layout”.

It would have two bars, a commercial kitchen and cool room, manoeuvrable furniture and “various on-board amenities”.

It said the redeveloped barge would improve “the vitality and attractiveness of the waterfront” and provide “opportunity for greater activation of an area of Docklands that is currently under-utilised”.

“The proposed use will facilitate further growth and attract new customers to the existing

commercial tenancies located along North Wharf, assisting to deliver a high quality and diverse commercial setting to Docklands,” it said.