As one of Melbourne's OG laneway bars, Gin Palace has been keeping folks loose and liquored for more than 25 years. There have been many keys to the cocktail haunt's longevity: those famed chicken and mayo sangas, 90-milliletre Martini pours, a generous closing time of 3am (ideal for post-shift workers), a certain brand of bohemian swagger and a mastery of all drinks juniper. It's such an institution that it even won the Legend Award in the 2016 Time Out Food & Drink Awards.
But now, there's a new drawcard to add to that list: super swanky renovations. A fully custom-built, state-of-the-art 'No Step' bar has been implemented, which allows bartenders to access everything they need at arm's reach. Another new addition from the month-long makeover is a multi-tiered Tasmanian oak back bar, which now houses around 360 pretty potions (mostly gin, of course.)
In a city where shiny, bright new bars tend to get more attention, owner Ben Luzz knew a refresh was in order to keep Gin Palace relevant. But if you're a longtime devotee, there's no need to worry that too much might have changed. The original vision and aesthetic of this basement-level bar remains, which the late and great founder Vernon Chalker described as a "table service lounge bar opened in Budapest in the 1870s and renovated in the 1950s".
Drop in for a drink and check out the new custom-made purple leather menus, a fresh new carpet and an even larger 'harem', which is the only bookable table at Gin Palace and now able to seat up to 12. This drinking den is still all about the gins, and here you can taste plenty of 'em. In fact, Gin Palace has the largest selection in the Southern Hemisphere, and there's also a fun snacky menu to line your belly for the night.