Boozy breakfasts: Melbourne’s boom in bottomless brunch

THE bottomless brunch trend is taking off, with a growing number of Melbourne breakfast institutions now offering mimosas and prosecco to the hung-over and hungry.

Pippa Finks tries out the Fargo and Co Bottomless Brunch. Picture: Alex Coppel

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THEY are an institution in New York and now the bottomless brunch trend is taking off in Melbourne.

A growing number of breakfast institutions are offering an endless supply of prosecco, mimosas and champagne to the hung-over and the hungry, proving big thirsts are big business in the brunch trade.

Pippa Finks tries out the Fargo and Co Bottomless Brunch where $35 gets you endless prosecco and mimosas. Picture: Alex Coppel

Bobby Corbett, venue manager at Fargo and Co in Richmond, says he has been blown away by the response to their free-flowing foodie offer.

“More than 150 people have bought a bottomless brunch over the first two Sundays we’ve been open, while we have taken more than 400 bookings for the month ahead,” Mr Corbett said.

Their $35 boozy brunch includes bottomless mimosas and prosecco.

“The international concept works perfectly for Melbourne, going through its current cafe and brunch trend, so opening a female-friendly bar in Richmond with bottomless booze for brunch was a no-brainer for me.” he said.

“It suits our clientele, who love an early Sunday session catch-up with the girls but still being able to rock up to work the next day, sans hangover.”

But health experts warn that overindulging on a morning mimosa does count as binge drinking at breakfast.

A mimosa works perfectly with avo on toast.

Elita Massarotti, Fernwood Fitness nutritionist, says that while bottomless brunches can make it difficult for you to monitor consumption, there are keys to keeping healthy.

“There’s no reason any of us shouldn’t be able to enjoy a bottomless brunch, but the key is to plan ahead and know your limits; understand how it fits in with a healthy living philosophy and lifestyle and that it is not something to partake in every single weekend but rather to savour on a rare occasion,” Ms Massarotti said.

“Just because it’s ‘bottomless’ is no reason to gorge and binge, rather take your time and savour it. The Australian government guidelines state that healthy men and women should drink no more than two standard drinks on any one day, so you can definitely enjoy a couple of alcoholic drinks with brunch, but within reasonable limits,” she says.

“And don’t forget to always request water for the table to sip on during brunch. This will help you keep hydrated and probably help you to avoid over-consuming alcohol too. You could even only half fill your glass with an alcoholic beverage and top it up with sparkling water.”

OTHER CAFES OFFERING A BOOZY BRUNCH:

House of Lulu White, South Yarra

$30 for bottomless supply of cocktails for 1.5 hours

Saigon Sally, Windsor

$69 per head Viet-style banquet, accompanied by free-flowing bubbles and Beer Hanoi.

Gingerboy, CBD

$98 for a banquet brunch and all you can drink mimosas, yuzu bellinis and sparkling wine.