Sailing in with some good news for a city in lockdown, Melbourne’s largest outdoor floating bar and restaurant Arbory Afloat has confirmed it will return to the Yarra River on Monday 26 October.
The much-loved floating bar and eatery will welcome Melburnians back on deck, in line with Victoria’s roadmap and social distancing guidelines for outdoor dining venues. The planned relaunch aims to give hope and confidence to a despondent hospitality industry and be a drawcard for people looking to shake off lockdown fatigue.
This year Arbory Afloat is re-imagined with a laidback and chic aesthetic, drawing inspiration from our own backyard: The Australian Beach House. With fresh coastal interiors, layered with impressive cocktails and the best of local fare on the menu, Arbory Afloat Beach House promises to be a vibrant inner-city, seaside oasis. Featuring bespoke wicker furniture, eclectic patterned upholstery, lime-washed timber finishes, a mix of natural and vibrant coastal colours and an abundance of lush greenery, the venue will be reminiscent of many iconic and inspiring Australian coastal destinations.
The open-air, 69-metre floating bar and restaurant will again be hosting two bars, an upper pool deck, stylish undercover dining area and a boat docking station which will welcome guests who choose to arrive by water.
Championing the very best that Australia has to offer when it comes to food, Executive Chef Nick Bennett has designed a menu of classic and contemporary coastal dishes, taking cues from the Mediterranean with locally sourced produce and ingredients.
The drinks list will see a triumphant return of its exclusive and ever-popular Four Pillars Pink Gin collaboration, alongside summer craft beers. There will be a showcase of amazing local and international wine producers, as well as an extensive cocktail menu with six house-made and mixed cocktails available on tap.
Committed to supporting the arts community year on year, Arbory Afloat Beach House has designed a comprehensive programming layer that responds to the current climate and celebrates local art, performance, music and culture.
Embracing Melbourne’s major events that locals may no longer be able to attend, for the first time Arbory Afloat will host a schedule of all-inclusive, sit-down ticketed events. Kicking off with the Spring Racing Carnival, Melburnians will be invited to enjoy all the action from Flemington LIVE on LED screens, onsite bookies and even Fashions on the Fields. Tickets will go on sale in October.
Arbory Afloat Beach House will open on Monday 26 October from 11am to 1am daily for bookings and walk-ins.
For reservations and enquiries, please visit https://arboryafloat.com.au
Arbory Afloat
Northbank Yarra River, Melbourne VIC 3000
03 9629 1547
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Images: Simon Shiff