#barreviews

This bar was reviewed late for you thanks to a week of deadlines! 

Gaming Arcade + Bar = BARTRONICA

BARTRONICA If you love arcade games and drinking in moderation then you will love Bartronica! Now brace yourselves for the hook.. the bar features original, super rare arcade games, some as old as 1975 !! I explored this cool bar a few months ago; however, I live in hopeless regret that I was unable to attend their Mario Tournament !! To clear speculations, I’m not good at Mario-Kart AT ALL.. although I do enjoy driving backwards and popping Princess Peach’s balloons. So that being said, I will challenge you all for a race/battle on the donut race track just to prove that I enjoy the game even when I lose! Plus I’d like to improve my skills... so send me your cheats. Jks. Anyway to keep it short and sweet this place is awesome! Definitely check it out for after work drinks, catch-ups with your mates and to play those arcade games you love! There’s a lot of cool things to check out, plus the place is still growing; BUT I trust that you will discover those quirks yourself! Like Bartronica on Facebook so as stay in-tune for their next arcade comp / tournament! MAY THE ODDS BE IN YOUR FAVOUR! #GraceofallTrades

THE PACDOWN: Location: Basement, 335 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000 Cost: $$ Hours:  Wed - Sat: 4:00 pm - 1:00 am

Specialties: Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, GAMES, Snacks & Drinks. Website: https://www.facebook.com/bartronica/timeline If Bartronica was a song it would be…

IF THE CROFT INSTITUTE WAS A SONG:

Heads up.

The next couple of reviews I will take to pen will highlight both the bar and the event I'll be attending .Double dose of happiness. So today is Friday and tomorrow is Saturday, which means it's the weekend! Aside from the many events capturing my attention this weekend, I will only focus on ONE for this bar review... and that's UGC!! WHAT'S UGC?

"Underground Cinema' is a secret immersive live film screening experience held in secret locations in inner Sydney & Melbourne. - UGC

UGC host a generous amount of events throughout the year to cater for different genres / themes. Not only do they organise a 'secret' movie but they also create the world of the film you're about to experience with professional actors role playing and improvising characters so as to enhance your experience in the world of the film but it doesn't stop there! The chosen location and overall experience cannot be faulted - It's an event to keep an eye on and definitely not to miss! UGC's events sell out in minutes but are worth it considering the show they create!

Here's a snippet of last year's UGC Classic EPIDEMIC (so you understand what I'm talking about)

SO TOMORROW NIGHT... UGC are hosting another secret film event. This time the theme / genre is 1950s. Can you imagine my excitement? Too loud. But we don't know the film! We've been provided with plenty of clues and they've informed us of our destination, BUT the movie is a mystery which I'm happy to keep that way until it's revealed!

 So I'm dressing up 1950s city sleek! Stay tuned photos, because there will be photos! RIGHT...now to choose a bar for pres! Two places come to mind - although one of them I am saving for two weeks time! So it's an easy choice ...EDV!!

EAU DE VIE

 EDV is a jazz secret tucked away in Malthouse Lane! A bit of history before we pursue this review of EDV... Malthouse Lane runs north from Flinders Lane connecting to Exhibition Street in a dogleg fashion. From 1869, Samuel Burston's five-storey steam and gas powered malt house produced malt for brewing. In 1910, the lane boasted a tie manufacturer and an underclothing manufacturer...... (read more here) BACK TO EDV - I'll quote from their website which is a worthy summary; however, you'd grasp it better when you go there! 'Eau-De-Vie Melbourne is a relaxed atmosphere where great jazz tunes form the back drop to amazing cocktails and a massive spirits selection'  - EDV EDV is highly rated among both locals and critics for their venue theme, service, cocktail selection, magic and their hidden secrets! For example; They have a hidden room behind a bookcase...I dare you to find it! Although their theming is from a bit before the 1950s, EDV transports you from this era into another! That's why I've chosen it before I attend UGC! And to be honest, it reminds me of Harry Potter just because it's so difficult to find, but when you do find it all reality is forgotten, and magic takes it's form. Ahhhh, there is so much to love about EDV! I would brag about it for hours, but where's the fun in that for you? Instead I shall leave it for you to discover and unravel it's hidden treasures! For those who copy and paste… THE BREAKDOWN Location: 1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000 Cost: $$ (non student) OR $$$ (student) Hours:

Mon - Thu:

 5:00 pm - 1:00 amFri:4:00 pm - 1:00 amSat:5:00 pm - 1:00 amSun:4:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Specialties: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups and Waiter Service, Dinner and Drinks Website: http://eaudevie.com.au/melbourne If EDV was a song it would be...

We like bars. We’d like to think we have observed a great deal sitting at approximately 36” high. We sit at the bar height tables at lunch counters, sandwich shops, ice cream parlors, you name it, we just a feel more comfortable here.

At 53, my husband and I decided to travel more, beginning with an 18 day tour of Europe with our 21 year old daughter. As we were posting about our adventures, friends mentioned that I should really consider writing stories about our bar experiences and observations...especially while on the road.