Enter through 388 Bourke Street, take the lift to level eight and uncover Melbourne’s hidden treasure: the Stolen Gem. Previously a private event space, the venue is now a premium rooftop bar – with breathtaking views over Bourke Street Mall and beyond.
The decor is pared back. With an outlook that good, there’s no need to complicate it. From the menu to the cocktail list, the Stolen Gem premise is simple but elegant. The Australian-Japanese fusion, canapé-style food is made with local ingredients – even the drinks are garnished with seasonal botanicals from Yarra Valley’s Spurrell Foraging. There is a distinct effort to stock the bar with Australian distilleries, likewise with the wine list.
If you’re after a light snack on a warm afternoon, the Stolen Gem sashimi box makes for an adorable addition. It’s lovingly prepared by Melbourne sushi restaurant Uminono and delivered daily in a chic black package with matching glass soy sauce eyedropper. It's about enough for two, and it’s exceedingly fresh.
You can tell a lot of thought – and love – has gone into the drinks here. There are some slight twists on classics, like the Brown Sugar Espresso Martini, or some left-field newcomers like the Pavlova Spritz. It’s all a lot of fun, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed if you branch out into the unknown.
The Stolen Gem is open to the public from February 17. Book your table now.