Australian Venue Co has unveiled a brand-new venue for Melbourne’s Southbank, opening the stylish Bellevue Bar & Terrace on the Yarra in time for a summer of entertainment.
Throwing open the doors on Friday (30 October) the Bellevue is located along Melbourne’s Crown Riverwalk, adding a premium pub offering live sport and attractions and a menu led by the seasons. Centrepiece to the site is the sun-lit Riverside Terrace, running the full width of the venue and seating over 160 guests amid curved banquettes, with patterned canopies and lush plants framing views across the river.
Inside is a “warm, polished setting” dictated by classic brickwork, patterned flooring, marble-look bars and timber detailing, under soft pendant lighting.
Aiming for the pub to feel like “the social front door” it can transition easily from morning coffee and casual lunches to intimate dinners, from drinks at the bar and sport on the big screens to a lively late-night setting courtesy of its 3am licence.
“Bellevue will bring the warmth and familiarity people want from a great pub to Crown’s Riverwalk, creating a more accessible, everyday option that still offers a real sense of occasion,” says venue manager Brit Rumma.
There is live music, DJs and vinyl sets running Thursday to Sunday, and a broad rotation of sport, from footy and tennis to Formula 1 and the upcoming Spring Racing Carnival.
On the drinks menu is a considered wine list and curated beer line-up, complementing spritzes, agave-based serves and signature cocktails. Mini martini flights are on offer every Monday, comprising three vodka, gin or mixed martinis, served with olives, a lemon twist and pickled onion.
And every second Sunday are the Sunday Spritz Sessions, featuring both live music and a sketch artist. Guests who order two spritzes (between 3-7pm) receive a portrait, drawn on a postcard of the Bellevue.
Executive Chef Gary Lai, formerly of The Atlantic at Crown, the Saint in St Kilda and Amber in Hong Kong, has worked with fresh local producers and Victorian beef for an evolving menu serving modern Australian pub dishes shaped by Melbourne’s outlook, centred around local produce and seasonal ingredients.
The result combines familiar favourites with seafood, pastas, share plates and snacks, including crab and prawn spaghetti, and a hand-crumbed chicken schnitzel with parmesan.
Championing its “all-occasion offering” concept, a ‘long lunch’ is available every day for $95 per person, from 11am to 4pm, consisting of a three-course sharing menu featuring dishes such as Hiramasa kingfish crudo, porterhouse steak and cherry frangipane pavlova.
“A great pub menu gives you your favourites and a reason to try something new,” declares Lai.
Tapping into the Carnival spirit, the Bellevue is hosting a Cup Eve Martini Monday 2 Nov, with martini flights, paired snacks and DJs from 4 pm until late, and on Cup day the races will be screening from 11am, along with live music, a long lunch, spritzes, champagne, the sketch artist on hand from midday to 5pm, and DJs from 4pm.
