StoryVille’s Winter Festival Weekend
Words and Images by Daria Kill-Smith / Additional Images: StoryVille
Located in Melbourne’s CBD sits the fantasy world of StoryVille – a literary-themed cocktail venue in Waratah Place. Following General Manager Adam, we headed up low-lit, snow-clustered stairs headlong into a bookish dream – an embroidery of literary classics ranging from an immense mushroom-topped bar, wall-studded toadstools changing hue, suspended giant snow-flakes and fairy lights, plus the pièce de résistance – a spectacular ice-sculpture in the form of the glorious lion, Aslan. And what better way to celebrate Bastille Day than with that greatest of rivalries – ENGLAND – feting the famous Franco-national day with gin (London Dry Tanqueray, no less); in a tribute to the acclaimed CS Lewis masterpiece, Narnia. And Britannia ruled those waves!
Aslan rose majestically, staging the ultimate creation to celebrate StoryVille’s Winter Festival Weekend to the max. With mixologist Zac in control, gin-cocktail infusions were funnelled through the lion’s frozen form to emerge exquisitely chilled. Flashbulbs exploded as Zac mixed martinis: Dirty with a twist of lemon (yes please) and oh so popular. ‘Sweet’ – crafted using clarified grapefruit juice with the bitterness removed after being steeped in agar agar, that smoothed into a citrus burst on the tongue (worthy of a second!), and ‘Dry’ – with the obligatory olives!
And how to describe this exotic scene? Funky and fascinating, warm and comfortable, curious and colourful, avant-garde and unconventional – a fantasy within reach. The music was retro, the vibes were happy and the crowd loved it.
All good for the regulars hooked on their favourites too, as StoryVille’s usual cocktail menu was still available over the Winter Festival Weekend: Mint Julep (as per The Great Gatsby), Vesper Martini (think Casino Royale), Charlie’s Winning Ticket (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and much, much more.
It was ethereal and beautiful, and should be considered one of Melbourne’s regular nights out, not just to be left for “special occasions”. I suspect those in the know, know to go!
Storyville
185 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
(03) 9993 9034
**Daria was a guest of StoryVille – Keti Kezunovic
Connie Lambeth
The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
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