Later this month, Melbourne will be home to Fleet, a new rooftop bar boasting impressive views of the Melbourne CBD and a nautical-inspired drinks offering.
An impressive 68 metres above Flinders Street, Fleet is located on the rooftop of the Vibe Hotel Melbourne and has capacity for 90 guests. The bar overlooks the Yarra River, with clear views of the iconic Flinders Street Station, Southbank, and beyond.
The cocktail menu, curated by international food and beverage consultant, Grant Collins, includes classics such as negronis, spritzes, and martinis, as well as a number of unique nostalgic drinks. One highlight is the Hurricane, made with gold rum, navy rum, pineapple, orange, lime, and passionfruit. Historically a favourite of seafarers, the Hurricane cocktail traces its roots to 1940s New Orleans, where it was served in a speakeasy that only opened to the passphrase “storm’s brewin’.” In addition, the Tequila Manhattan offers a fresh take on the classic cocktail, using barrel-aged reposado Tequila in place of the traditional whisky.
Fleet also offers an expansive spirits list of more than 60 rums from 12 different regions and 40 gins, both local and international. Among the rums is Finest Old Jamaican Rum 1936, which was bottled under royal warrant by King George V as a gift for his grocer. It was initially purchased by Grant at an auction in London, and he believes this may be the only bottle of its kind in Australia.
The Fleet balances a contemporary feel with elements that evoke Melbourne’s history, with interiors by Paul Kelly Design, whose previous projects include Black Star and Crown Casino.
Fleet will open later this month, operating from Tuesday to Saturday.
