Melbourne’s latest speakeasy – where an automated phone sitting inside the doorway grants patrons entry – has opened in St Kilda.
The Store Room, which fills the space that used to house a barbershop on St Kilda Road, is packed with a variety of eclectic collectables and knick knacks and specialises in gin, whisky and cocktails.
The comprehensive spirits list is divided into categories and subcategories; customers can enjoy a dry, floral, spicy or fruity gin flight, a selection of aged or unaged agave spirits, or their pick of American, Japanese and Australian whiskies or Scotch.
Head bartender Madeline Loughran is in charge of the cocktail side of the equation, and there’s also a curated wine list of mostly Australian and Kiwi reds and whites, available by the glass or bottle.
And while The Store Room mightn’t have a designated kitchen it does offer a selection of hand-picked cheeses, cold meats and that ever-reliable drinking food the jaffle.
The venue is the brainchild of Christopher Dunkley, an experienced barber and hair stylist, who originally purchased the property to open a barbershop. But with barbershops opening left, right and centre, Dunkley scrapped the barbershop idea and replaced it with a new dream to open a speakeasy.
The Store Room is open from Wednesday 5pm-late and Thursday to Sunday 5pm-late.
