Drink, Dance & Dine at Cookie, The Toff, Boney & More

The coolest kids on the block

Melbourne is known for having some of the most exciting and innovative restaurants, bars, cafes and nightlife venues in the country. It’s a special thing for any bar owner or restaurateur when their dream concept is a raving success. But for one talented team to be behind five of Melbourne’s most popular venues… well, that’s something else entirely.

Camillo Ippoliti, chef Karen Batson and architect Phillip Schemnitz are the visionary brains behind The Toff in Town, Magic Mountain Saloon, Cookie, Revolver Upstairs and Boney. The concept behind these highly sought-after places is about combining Thai and Australian flavour profiles. All the spaces are warm, vibrant and convivial – in true Melbourne style, of course – and feature creative menus, carefully curated drinks lists and a rotating round of live DJs. Basically, they’re all the kinds of places that you want come to and stay at until the wee hours.

Cookie

A truly atmospheric dining experience, Cookie combines exceptional drinks, beer and original food. The menu is designed to be shared and the main dining room resembles a more stylish beer hall which makes for a seriously fun time. There’s also opera-style balconies with sweeping views of the city, and whether you’re in for a drink and a snack or a longer affair, Cookie suits anyone at any time. Oh, and the best bit… after you’re done dining, The Toff in Town is just upstairs where dancing is highly encouraged.

Level 1 Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000__Mon – Sun: Midday – 3am

The Toff in Town

As one of Melbourne’s mainstays, The Toff has seen it all. Playing host to bands and DJs, this inviting and stylish venue boasts booths that resemble train carriages that are perfect for escaping the main floor for some light Thai-style bites and rounds of drinks. You’ll also find a spacious outdoor area and a balcony overlooking Swanston Street. The crowd is diverse to say the least, and you can expect to find everyone from gig-goers to professionals having after-work drinks. While The Toff is mostly about drinks and tunes, we highly advise ordering a few dishes to keep you dancing long into the night.

Level 2 Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000__Mon – Sun: 5pm til late

Magic Mountain Saloon

Housed next door to Boney, magic really does happen at Magic Mountain Saloon. Running as an early morning to late night bar and eatery, it’s a three-level space on Little Collins Street featuring plenty of neon signs, a live DJ – as is tradition – and a menu that’s in the same vein as Cookie. The food is creative and features dishes like the ocean trout, coriander and ginger scrambled eggs for breakfast, and the lamb handles, mint & pea smash, smoked eggplant and ginger blossom relish for later. Washed down with a cocktail or ten, and you’ll get the full Magic Mountain experience.

62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000__Mon – Thurs: 7am til late | Fri: 7am – 3am | Sat: 8am – 3am | Sun: 8am til late

Revolver Upstairs/ Colonel Tans

Revolver Upstairs is a Melbourne institution for more reasons that one. Known for being a must-visit after-hours club called Revs among Melburnian partygoers, it also hosts world class musicians and an incredible restaurant space called Colonel Tans. The menu is more affordable here and caters for tapas-style evenings, intimate nights or, well, whatever you want really. Our ideal night at Revolver Upstairs consists of coming in for a Thai feast, then dancing our hearts out until the sun comes up. If this is your vibe, you’ll feel right at home at this iconic Chapel Street restaurant, bar and club in Prahran.

229 Chapel Street, Prahran, Melbourne 3181__Tues – Wed: 5pm – 4am | Thurs: 5pm – 6am | Fri: 5pm – 12pm Saturday | Sat: 5pm until 9am Monday

Boney

Ahh Boney. Situated next to Magic Mountain Saloon on Little Collins Street, this is a nightly hub for dining, dancing and music. The dining room is downstairs and feature cool black walls accented by red neon lights, while the dance floor is upstairs and runs until late. The menu and drinks list is high-quality and flavoursome but remains affordable. On it you’ll find drunken noodles with chilli, tomatoes and pork; sticky beef ribs and curried soft shell crab – alongside plenty more, naturally. Boasting a similar vibe to Revolver Upstairs, bring your appetite and dancing shoes to this hotspot.

68 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000__Mon – Thurs: 5pm – 3am | Fri – Sat: 5pm – 7am