Juliet Melbourne

Hearkening back to the 1870s when Romeo Lane and Juliet Terrace were Melbourne’s notorious first red light district, Juliet Melbourne, the new basement bar from owner Martin Pirc, is an ode to the female winemakers, spirit makers and producers lacking the recognition they deserve in the hospitality industry.

Situated beneath Pirc’s other Melbourne institution, Punch Lane, visitors to Juliet are first greeted by a single red lantern bathing the stairway in a crimson glow, a hint of things to come. Once inside, you can sink into a Danish couch facing the fire or sit beneath the shelves holding an eclectic range of bottles from Juliet’s carefully curated wine list, all the while glancing up at the bespoke, hand blow glass chandeliers and lanterns that hang, swinging, from the ceiling.

This classical yet left turn texture of the decor extends to the menu itself which Pirc admits is far more experimental then that of Punch Lane. Designed to be enjoyed with company and complement the drinks on offer, the menu by chef Gabriel Alonso favours small plates with big, vibrant flavours including slices of poached veal in a tonnato sauce, anchovies and quail eggs or zucchini flowers, lightly battered and fried and served on a bed of manchego and shallot béchamel.

When it comes to wine, Juliet offers an array of local and international female-created products. A current favourite is any of the four wines from maker Corrina Wright from Mclaren Vale, under the label Oliver’s Taranga. If you are left uncertain by the extensive menu then ask any member of the highly informative staff for a recommendation and they will be happy to find something perfect for your tastes.

Yet without the doubt the highlight of any visit is the cheese, a signature raclette, a giant wheel of cheese melted and shaved onto your plate right before your eyes. The raclette, experimental menu and the live, intimate jazz performances every Thursday night all add to something of a uniquely theatrical dining experience, one that ensures a second visit.

Juliet Melbourne 
37—41 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Basement 
Open Thursday to Saturday, 5pm to late
julietmelbourne.com.au