Hopscotch

Having just opened, Hopscotch is the newest kid on the Southbank block. Milk Bar Mag were lucky enough to attend the opening party of this Urban Beer Bar last week. The space is deceptively large. From the outside, the river-front garden patio looks full of revellers having a beer, but the venue opens into a large open-plan warehouse space that extends well beyond the bar with plenty of comfortable seating. Industrial concrete walls and floors are softened by astro-turf on the patio and neon lights, and the wide glass doors and windows let in plenty of sunshine during daylight hours. The bar has a rotation of excellent DJs. On the night Milk Bar Mag attended the launch, there were house tunes that moved effortlessly from chill to bouncy as the sun went down and spirits rose.

Beer lovers rejoice, because Hopscotch is your paradise. There are 30 flavours on tap at any time, and exclusive boutique brews will change every month, specially prepared by local Victorian makers. For those not so keen on beer, there’s a large selection of cocktails including DIY kits, cocktails on tap and spiked slushies. Sipping cold glasses of fruity Pimm’s overlooking the river is the ultimate summer indulgence.

Not to be forgotten is the excellent food. Beer Can Chicken is a star, and the range of smaller bites such as cheeseburger spring rolls, spicy kingfish on betel leaves and ramen fried chicken will be sure to satisfy any palate. If you’re ready for a sweet treat at the end of the night, don’t go past the nitro ice cream bar. Milk Bar Mag tried candied bacon and beer flavour, which sounds like a disaster but goes down a treat.

Get down there before Hopscotch becomes common knowledge. Anyone for a cold pint?

Hopscotch
Shop 4, Building 2, Riverside Quay, Southbank
hopscotchmelbourne.com.au