bar review: kelvin’s

 

Kelvin Bar

 Specialty: Cocktails

Location: 84 High St, Northcote

Contact Number: 9482 6600

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat-Sun 2pm-1am.

Look: The orange vespa out the front acts as an open sign, and the windows are full of kitschy old objects. Inside, the lighting is warm and inviting, and there are bar stools, tables and chairs, and couches. 

Vibe: Chilled, funky, busy. There’s a bookshelf full of boardgames if you feel the need to play some drunken scrabble.

Drinks: More than 70 different cocktails are on the menu, as well as basics. All drinks are reasonably priced. 

As my favorite friendly ginger Ollie says, “You should come to Kelvin’s to feel the groove. And God it has groove!”

melbourne after dark

I thought it would be fitting to name my reflections post after my url and general theme of the whole shebang.

SO! I’ve come to the end. Not really – I think I’ll keep doing posts because I’m actually really enjoying it. It’s theraputic! And it’s nice to create something of my own to put on the web because I am such a constant consumer of the internet.

Looking back on what I’ve done so far, it’s interesting to see how the direction of the blog has changed, and the problems I have encountered. Here’s a few things I noticed:

THE GOOD BITS
1. I learnt a lot. Through doing this blog, I got skillz! I learnt how to embed media such as images and videos into posts, I learnt about Creative Commons, and I learnt how to make hyperlinks.

2. I discovered the world of blogging. To get ideas, I scoured lots of blogs, and found some that I really liked. Now I look at them nearly every day, and find them so interesting. I love reading other people’s thoughts and opinions, and I get really inspired by some of the art on blogs I read.

3. I discovered  my writing voice. Well, I’m telling a bit of a porkie there. I had already discovered it. But I REdescovered it and developed it more. And I think I write differently for blogs than for other things. It’s non-specific and very freeing being able to write about whatever you want.

THE BAD BITS
1. I didn’t do what I said I’d do. Initially I said I’d comment a lot on nightlife culture and Australian drinking culture. But then, after blogging for a while, I discovered that I really enjoy reviewing bars and sharing my favorite drink recipes. So maybe it’s a good bit. And maybe I’ll comment on culture later on when I keep blogging!

2. I got lazy. With my posts I mean. I originally wanted to post every day, and fit in all the exciting ideas in my mind. But life and laziness got in my way, and I didn’t do as many posts as I’d anticipated. Oh well. I think I gave it a fair go though, and I can always continue on!

3. I didn’t network enough. No blog is an island. But mine is definitely a bit of a peninsula. I should have plugged my blog to everyone I knew, and established a bit of a readership. And I could have commented more on other people’s blogs. But being new to the blogosphere, I wasn’t confident initially with my posts, and I didn’t want everyone to see them, (except the netcomm kids because we were all collectively embarrassed!) But, all that can change from NOW.

farewell net comm.

a little piece of eye candy…

Espresso Martini

To make:

Chill a martini glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, one shot of cold coffee, one and  a half shots (45mls) Belvedere vodka, one and a half shots Kahlúa and one shot white cream de cacao. Shake vigorously for one minute and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.

  

top five liqueurs

1. Frangelico
This beautiful Italian liqueur is made from wild hazelnuts with infusions of berries and flowers. The nutty taste is not for everyone, but it is by far my favorite thing to mix with.

DRINK IT WITH:  pineapple juice and a dash of grenadine, to make a Luau. Or, my favorite, a Frangelico Sour – a mix of frangelico, sugar syrup and fresh lime over ice in a short frosted glass.

 

2. Paraiso
This lychee flavored liquor is deliciously sweet and smooth. (An alternative is Soho.)

DRINK IT WITH: Cloudy apple juice and a squeeze of fresh lime. Or in a lychee cocktail, with fresh lychees and apple juice or redbull for a buzz.

 

3. Peachtree schnapps
I cannot stress it enough, peach schnapps makes everything taste better. It is fresh, fruity and smooth. It is very low in alcohol content which can be good or bad, depending on your mood!

DRINK IT WITH: I love peach schnapps mixed in a cocktail shaker with belvedere vodka or absolut vanilla vodka (triple the amount peach to vodka), crushed ice, and pineapple, cranberry or apple juice (or a mixture of them). It creates a very fruity and yummy drink, best in summer.

 

4. Kahlúa
A smooth, dark Mexican liqueur made from real coffee and fine clear spirits. It also comes in varieties such as French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Mudslide, and all are delicious.

DRINK IT WITH: One of my absolute favorite drinks is an Espresso Martini, made with a shot of coffee, half a short of Kahlúa and half a shot of Belvedere vodka, shaked and strained into a chilled martini glass and garnished with coffee beans. Delish! For a more basic drink, Kahlúa works well as a Black Russian – one shot of vodka, one shot of Kahlúa over ice, or a White Russian - the same with milk as well.

 

5. Bison vodka

This vodka has a distinct taste that comes from being flavored with bison grass. (And the bottle looks great with a long blade of grass and attractive label.)

DRINK IT WITH: Cloudy apple juice, for an apple pie taste!

On the flip side, liqueurs I personally think everyone should avoid:

Sambucca – very strong licorice liqueur.

Ouzo – liqueur with a strong aniseed flavour.

Chartereuse – extremely strong in alcohol content, like drinking petrol!

Bacardi 151 – As above, only 20% stronger. A tasty 75% alcohol content. These two should only be attempted by the strongest of stomachs.

creative commons.

What the hell is that? You ask. It’s this:

On the Creative Commons website, they define it as:

“Creative Commons is an international nonprofit that offers flexible copyright management tools for creative work. We offer a range of licenses that creators can use to manage their copyright in the online environment, each offering its own specific protections and freedoms. We have built upon the “all rights reserved” of traditional copyright to create a voluntary “some rights reserved” system. We’re a nonprofit. All of our tools are free.”

So, to go CC or no  CC?

Dymtri Kleiner, in his article Copyfarleft and Copyjustright in Mute Magazine said that “intellectual property is intended to allow information producers to earn a living.” This is a strong argument for Copyright licensing. When people go to a lot of effort to create something, they deserve to have it attributed to them, and they deserve to make money for it instead of having it used without charge. The example Kleiner uses is that of musicians. When we download their music off the internet instead of buying their albums, we are effectively stealing from them.

However, I also believe in a participatory culture, where we share our ideas with each other and aren’t completely rigid in holding onto what we have created. Creations should be shared, it makes life far more interesting!

I chose to get one. I think there are definite flaws in the idea, namely that if people are going to take your work, they will. They won’t be deterred by a little Creative Commons license image, and they might not even know what it is. But I believe the license is a good thing, and I want to raise the awareness of it, so that’s why I’ve chosen it.

There are a few different types of CC licenses, and I chose the one that I felt best suited my stance on the whole issue: the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.  Basically, it means that I let other people distrubute derivative works of my work, but only uner a license identical to my license. I chose this one because I am quite protective of my work and I believe that on the internet, copyright infringements take place so easily and anonomously. If it wasn’t on the internet, I’d probably be much more open to other people using my work. I’m happy for people who also have a CC license to use my work, because that’s fair.

comment cultures

Now, this is going to be a little bit tricky. For part of my assessment, I’m supposed to discuss a quote in terms of an interesting and provocative comments thread in my niche. But, I couldn’t find one! All the nightlife blogs I looked at had just a couple of comments here and there, I didn’t see one interesting comment debate at all. So, I had to check out a forum instead.

The forum I chose is on a website called inthemix and it’s about bars in Melbourne. I chose it because it’s relevant to my topic and also because it gets a little bit nasty which is  interesting.

The quote I need to look at is this:

“Blogs create communities of like-minded people. Debates happen within homogenous webclouds… Most bloggers would admit that it is not their aim to foster public debate. If you disagree with a fellow blogger, it is even unwise to write a comment. Intead, it is much safer to post the remark on your own blog. “I blogged you.” The chance that someone will respond to it is almost zero. herein is the limit of blogging.” – Geert Lovink.

Ho hum. So. This isn’t going to work as well as I’d like it to because obviously I’m not using a proper comment feed from a blog. The thing I have found in searching comments, is that blogs don’t seem to create comment debates like YouTube or forums do. And Geert does sort of reference that. He says it’s much safer to post a disagreeing mark on your own blog, and I agree. When I comment, if I disagree with something I never want to say so, because I feel like I’m insulting the blogger. They have put thought and effort into their blog, so why would you read it and then whinge about how it’s different to your point of view? Healthy debate is good, but negative and hurtful comments are not. Because of my views on that, I never really get into comment debates.

Nightlife and bar reviews aren’t exactly controversial, so I’m  actually not surprised that I couldn’t find a good comment debate, or that no one has started one on mine. On this forum however, it gets a little insulting. A user called littlemissnrg asks where some good places to go out in Melbourne are, as she’s coming for the weekend with some girlfriends. One user, called Blue Steel, replies: “Seeing as you have NRG in your name, try out the club called PHD in Melbourne. News is that it’s the place to die for.” Littlemissnrg replies “I take it there was some sarcasm there. Was there really any need was just asking a question?” and another user makes a dig at her and then it escalates into a cyber fight with other users as well bagging Queensland (where littlemissnrg is from). It’s interesting to see how people seem to think that because they’re on the internet they can be as rude as they want to be. They probably wouldn’t say any of that in real life.

As for my own moderation policy, I haven’t had to deal with anything nasty thankfully. If I decide to plug my blog on Facebook or another website I might get a little bit of that, but I doubt it because most of the people who read the blog are not anonymous, but my friends. The way wordpress works is that if you get a comment, you approve it and then it is displayed. If I did recieve nasty comments towards myself or others, I would not approve them. I would approve comments that disagreed with my blog, but just nothing unnecessarily mean.

critical web design. ie: making things pretty!

As I wrote before in my post about niches, I think design is really important. In any webpage or form of media, accessability is key.

Within the limitations of wordpress, I have tried to make my blog look as good as possible. I went for a template rather than original design because I’m really not versed in HTML, and I was lucky enough to find a template that I liked. I chose the black and orange themed ”Black-LetterHead” theme (by Ulysses Ronquillo, what a great name!) This theme works well for my niche I think, as I am trying to cater for culture and design savvy nightowlish Melbournians, if that makes any sense! I think the theme looks cool, professional and accessible.

To make the blog as accessible as possible, I have included the following:

1. Categories
I’ve created categories to sort my posts, but I’ve also kept them to a minimum. I like the clutter-free look of having a few basic categories rather than lots of minor ones. The other thing that’s good about categories is that listed on the side of the page, they give the reader a general idea of what subjects the blog addresses.

2. Tags
Tags make it easier for people to find what they’re looking for.

3. Hyperlinks
When discussing issues or referencing things in my posts, I used hyperlinks so that the reader could easily access the resources I was using.

4. Sub-Headings
Just like in this post, I often tried to use sub headings in longer posts for easy scannability. As with most things on the internet, It’s really important to have scannability because readers are often multitasking with several windows open, flicking from website to website, and get bored easily if they are just faced with chunks of text.

4. Bolding
Also for scannability, I chose to embolden some words that I wanted the reader to pay attention to.

5. Images
On the internet, one of the most useful tools for keeping people’s attention is the use of images. Images entice people’s interest and encourage them to read on. I have tried to include them in the majority of my posts.

bar profiled: cherry bar

Cherry Bar

Specialty: Rock music and live bands

Location: 103 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000

Contact Number: 9639 8122

Opening Hours: Mon-closed, Tues-Wed 5pm-2am, Thurs 5pm-3am, Fri 5pm-5am, Sat 9pm-5am.

Background: Melbourne’s first authentic rock bar. Founded in 2000, by former Cosmic Psychos drummer Bill Walsh.

Look: A main bar with band stage opening onto a laneway smoking area, as well as a smaller and more chilled back bar.

Vibe: Grungy and loud.

Drinks: Average, but fairly cheap.

Vibe: Grungy and loud.

Bonus: Jukebox

With great music and a fun vibe, Cherry is best for letting loose after a big predrinks.

top five shooters

Do you struggle to down vodka and tequila shots? Try some of these tasty alternatives. 

1. The Wet Pussy

This is a classic, and works on the truth that peach schnapps makes everything taste good! 
Mix 15mls Vodka and 15mls Peach Schnapps in a shot glass, and top with a dash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime.

2. The Jam Donut

This shot requires frosting. Before mixing ingredients, set aside two saucers and put some raspberry cordial in one, and a couple of teaspoons of sugar in the other. To frost the shot glass, dip it upside down in the raspberry cordial, and then in the sugar, turning it slightly to make the sugar stick to the glass. Don’t press too hard or you’ll get sugar clumps on the glass. Once the glass is frosted, pour 20mls Chambord into the shot glass, and then float 10mls Bailey’s on top. (To do this, tilt the nozzle of a pourer against the edge of the glass and pour very gently so that the bailey’s just sits on top of the Chambord making a layer). 

3. Cowboy 

The Cowboy is a classic favorite, and tastes like a butterscotch cream. Pour 20mls Butterscotch Schnapps into a shot glass, and float 10mls Bailey’s on top. 

4. Quick Fuck

Despite its off-putting name, this is a yummy, creamy shot. Layer 10mls Midori, 10mls Kahlúa and 10mls Bailey’s into a shot glass. 

5. Vanilla Apple Shooter

This is one that I invented myself, although I’m sure something similar has been created before me! Frost the shot glasses with lime cordial and sugar. In a cocktail shaker, muddle three slices of lime and 5mls sugar syrup. Fill the shaker with ice, 90mls (three shots) Vanilla Vodka and 90mls DeKuyper Apple Pucker Schnapps. Shake and strain into the frosted shot glasses. Serves six. 
*Alternately, if you are just making one or two shots, you can pour 15mls Vanilla Vodka and 15mls DeKuyper Apple Pucker Schnapps into each shot glass, with a squeeze of lime on top. 

Want more? 

Also try:
* 15mls Malibu and 15mls Peach Schnapps for a yummy shot that goes down easily. 
* For a variation on your Tequila shot, try orange & cinnamon instead of lemon & salt.  
* Sick of weak shots? Try the lethal ABC shot – 10mls Green Fairy Absinthe, 10mls Bacardi 151, 10mls Chartreuse, all extremely high strength alcohols. For the truly brave, try one shot of each. (Warning: You will end up on the floor!)

beer gardens

 

Madame Brussels

At the very beginning of the silly season, when the first hint of a balmy summer eve hangs in the air, Australians flock to that sacred place: the beer garden. In summer we pass night after night chatting, smoking and sipping on brews in the courtyards and rooftops of Melbourne, until the nights become chilly and we stand there shivering, clinging on to summer for as long as we can. Our love for beer gardens in Melbourne is almost bordering on an obsession. Gardens of all shapes and sizes are popping up over the city, from carefully themed and decorated spaces to dirty old courtyards with sticky benches. As long as it’s outside, we’ll take it. 

Here’s a selection of favourites:

1. ROOFTOP BAR

Location: Level 6/252 Swanston St, CBD (above Cookie and The Toff)

Hours: Tue-Fri 4pm-late, Sat-Sun 2pm-late.

Specials: The open-air cinema, house sangria, and tasty food.

This one’s an obvious choice. With its stunning view and spacious feel, Rooftop is a favourite among many Melbournians. The eight-dollar basics are a little steep, but the view and the ambience definitely make up for it. Get there early and recline in a deck chair, or go to one of the frequent movie sessions.

2. MADAME BRUSSELS

Location: Level 3, 59/63 Bourke St, CBD (above The Spaghetti Tree)

Hours: 12nn-1am every day.

Specials: The famous summer punches; made from a huge variety of ingredients and served in cute little jugs.

As described on the website, “This is where the Mad Hatter’s tea party meets Wisteria Lane.” Ride the dingy lift up to Level 3 and arrive in a quaint pink and white room with fake grass and dainty garden furniture. Order from the huge cocktail menu or opt for some delicious summer punch, whipped up by friendly bar staff. The beer garden is pretty, with trees brushing the balcony, a city view, and French inspired chairs and tables.

3. THE STANDARD HOTEL

Location: 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy

Hours: Mon-Tue 3pm-11pm, Wed-Sun 12nn-11pm.

Specials: Tuesday Trivia

Like most Fitzroy pubs, The Standard doesn’t look much from the outside. Yet enter the shabby colonial building and you will find one of Melbourne’s best beer gardens. The large courtyard is furnished with picnic tables, and has green foliage, a fishpond and a water feature.  Cheap pub food is on the menu, and although there are only basic drinks, The Standard is always packed with people enjoying the rustic charm.

4. SECTION 8

Location: 27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Chinatown (next to Shanghai Dumplings)

Hours: Mon-Wed 8am-11pm, Thu-Fri 8am-1am, Sat 12nn-1am, Sun 12nn-11pm.

Specials: Delicious cocktails. Try the Frangelico Sour, one of the tastiest drinks ever.

The creators of Section 8 had vision. Where most would see a dirty car park in a tiny Chinatown lane, they saw a potential drinking hotspot. The bar is made from a converted shipping container, with stacked crates for furniture. There’s a great atmosphere: little red Chinese lanterns hang from tree branches, red cushions line the crates, and the one wall features a graffiti mural. In winter you can get great mulled wine for $6 a glass, and there are yummy cocktails all year round.

5. BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ

Location: 557 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm.

Specials: A Euro BBQ outside, and live jazz, blues or funk on Sundays.

Blending a European restaurant with a massive outdoor beer garden, the Belgian Beer Café is always full and noisy. It has a beer hall feel, with a huge selection of brews expertly poured for you into the appropriate brand glass. The only downside is that the drinks and food are quite pricey, but the quality and the atmosphere make it worthwhile. 

6. CAMPARI HOUSE

Location: 23-25 Hardware Lane, CBD

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3am, Sat-Sun 9am-3am.

Specials: Eight-dollar gourmet pizzas, and member’s nights with free food and drink.

Campari House is the new kid on the block.  The once famous Campari Bistro has been renovated to four levels: an Italian restaurant, function room, lounge and the rooftop beer garden. There’s nothing Melbournians love more than a laneway bar with a rooftop, and this one delivers. It’s modern and stylish but also a bit quirky – umbrellas are stuck in beer barrels and one of the walls is made out of old doors.  Enjoy cocktails or a cheap and yummy gourmet pizza.

7. THE RAILWAY HOTEL

Location: 280 Ferrars St, South Melbourne

Hours: Mon-Tue: 4pm-10:30pm, Wed, Thur & Sun: 12nn-11pm, Fri-Sat: 12nn-1am.

Specials: Wednesday Steak Night, where you can get a delicious porterhouse for $14.

The Railway is “a ripper of a pub,” as I overheard on the train. It’s true. The recently renovated beer garden is one of the best in the city, with trees, lanterns and an undercover area with a straw roof. The Railway is an extremely popular pub for the “Sunday Sesh”. It dishes up good food and has nine beers on tap at reasonable prices.

Want more? Also check out:

The Red Hummingbird – Asian cocktail bar with stylish rooftop, on Russell St

The Emerald Peacock – rooftop bar with yummy cocktails, on Lonsdale St

The Corner Hotel – beer garden with great live music, on Swan St

Vineyard – cute St Kilda restaurant and bar popular with backpackers, on Acland St

Retreat Hotel – very popular beer garden in grungy laidback pub, on Sydney Rd