Curious brings whimsical cocktails to this Flinders Lane basement for a wonderland of theatrics.
The Alice in Wonderland-themed bar Curious, down the rabbit hole beneath Flinders Lane, offers theatrical cocktails and a little bit of magic.
Located in the basement of the W Melbourne hotel, Curious transforms the subterranean space into an intimate wonderland experience.
The bar’s design takes direct inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, with an undulating ceiling of timber beams that mimics the rabbit hole Alice tumbles down. Guests enter through a voluptuous velvet curtain, guided by door staff into the dimly lit underground space.
Curious Bar Flinders Lane
- Where: Basement of W Melbourne hotel, Flinders Lane
- Opening Hours: Tue – Thu, 5PM – 12AM, Fri – Sat, 5PM – 1AM, Sun – Mon, Closed
- Bookings: here
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Top Australian bartender Charlie Ainsbury from Proof & Co has developed the cocktail menu. The drinks incorporate three distinct elements of Melbourne culture: coffee, fashion and art. Each cocktail delivers theatrical presentation alongside carefully crafted flavours.
The Ristretto combines St Ali cold brew with cacao-butter vodka and nutmeg smoke, served inside a bubble that pops when sipped. The Silhouette offers a zero-alcohol option for fashion-conscious drinkers. The art-inspired cocktail features gin, almond milk and coconut, topped with foam painted to resemble Andy Warhol artwork.
Curious operates as both a midweek cocktail destination and weekend party venue. The atmosphere transforms dramatically between quiet weeknight drinks and boisterous Friday and Saturday celebrations. Weekend nights see tables ordering champagne magnums as the space edges into club territory.
The venue deliberately avoids being a quiet weekend nightcap destination. Instead, Curious embraces the chaotic energy that matches its Alice in Wonderland inspiration, where anything can happen down the rabbit hole.
Access to Curious requires finding the inconspicuous glass door along Market Street in the CBD. The entrance faces a greenery-filled courtyard but gives little indication of the wonderland below. Inside, a wall covered in clocks of various shapes and sizes conceals the hidden staircase.
The spiral staircase leads guests down to the bar, with light from Curious visible at the bottom.
For more information, head here.
