Keep it local at Bowerbird Bar
Unlike the Tiki bars and vintage dives left right and centre, the seemingly innocuous Bowerbird Bar on Bridge Rd steps into the “themed” bar space of Melbourne with very low key aplomb. “Everything here is Victorian sourced”, manager Max Ware tells me after delivering our second round of cocktails “Not only are all our drink options Victorian made, but the tables, shelving, tableware and stools are from Victorian designers, or reclaimed from a local area” Even the rhombus trivet coaster beneath my frosted silver goblet are designed by Melbourne local Lauren Steller and made of recycled aeroplane tyres, a material that would once go directly to landfill. While I see the theme and appreciate the earth friendly nature of it, it’s not until my companion Mel (a wildlife officer, usually belly deep in a creek) points out to me the cleverness of the name – A Bowerbird goes and collects things it finds beautiful that are often throwaways from modern life, to bring back and decorate its nest with. Well played, Bowerbird bar. Second hand …
