July 2024 update: Curious about the enigmatic lore of the wild and wacky LuWow? The infamous bar team have created a pictorial art and design-style book, reminiscing on all the cocktail venues they've designed, built and run across both Victoria and Western Australia over the years. From the old LuWow in Fitzroy and the CBD's new cocktail haunt to Devilles Pad in Perth, here's your chance to shimmy on down memory lane. Check it out.
Formerly situated in Fitzroy, this party bar is known as a kitsch haven for palm fronds, Hawaiian prints, skulls and tropical-themed drinks. A lucid acid trip into 'The Temple of Doom', if you will, which you'll either love or hate.
Owners Babz and Josh Collins are known for creating wild bars in homage to the mid-century revival era, and while it's awesome that their zany venues have played host to underground celeb talents such as El-Vez, The 5,6,7,8s, The Mummies, Jon Spencer and queen of rock ’n’ roll herself Wanda Jackson, and rolled out some super fun events over the years (remember the Beyoncé dance classes and drag shows?), there's no denying that the tiki concept has had its controveries in the bar scene.
While the LuWow will undoubtedly maintain its obsession with all things tropical retro and multicultural mishmash for as long as it lives, some modern evolutions could be afoot. The bar's new digs in the CBD still promise go-go dancing and a lot of fruity drinks, but there's a somewhat more focused menu on offer than in years prior and a willingness to express just exactly what they're all about.
Think flame-grilled skewers or as the Luwow call them, 'mambu spias', which is pidgin for bamboo spears. Josh and Babz dreamt up the the new concept together with the help of their Colombian chef JP ’Smoky' Gonzalez. If you're keen to hop in for the ride, try the Creole curry goat, Mauritian pork and pineapple, Cancun chicken and mango, Jamaican jerk turkey or chorizo Cubano skewers.
Meanwhile, your plant-based pals can gnaw into Indian eggplant, lemony mushroom, jerk pumpkin and pinepple or fried okra skewers. Elsewhere on the menu, there are still quesadillas, spiced potatoes, taco chips with guac and heaps more, plus the Luwow's famous Bora Bora brownie – a rich dark chocolate delight served with cream.
It goes without saying that there's a ginormous range of cocktails on offer, most of which are fruity and rum-based concoctions. Try the ever-popular Pain Killer, the Bo-Na-Na or – if you can take a nip of jalapeno spice – the Venus Mantrap.
Here's a bar that looks like the old set of an Indiana Jones film (read: extra all the way), inspired by one of the strangest and most American of drinking cultures. You'll probs see a lot of Hawaiian floral shirts.