Months ago, it was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to Ferdydurke, Melbourne’s CBD loft club best known for its late-night parties and welcoming stage.
Luckily, from the ashes of that fabled club, a new Melbourne venue has risen like a phoenix – and a stylish one at that.
Aster has taken over the former Ferdydurke loft. Ran by the Office of Public Works group (the same team behind Section 8 and The Beast), the space is poised to be a more intimate, more mature compliment to Section 8 below. With a fresh renovation and a brand-new concept, the Aster era is defined by comfort, charm and culinary expertise.
The changes to the bar have gone far beyond a new coat of paint. The space is looking cozier than ever before, with warm mood lighting, mid-century brass finishes and a roaring fireplace in the corner. Behind the bar, staff are eager to show off their cocktail skills, brandishing shakers and swizzle sticks. Inside the wine cabinet, find a dedicated selection of old and new world drops, perfectly curated to accompany the small, decadent bites on the food menu.
From black truffle and squid ink salami to poached prawn rolls with burnt butter aioli, the culinary options go far beyond what you could expect at a typical venue. This could be because Aster doesn’t see itself as a typical venue in any kind of way – it wants to break boundaries and reimagine the music-listening experience.
Like the late Ferdydurke, the bar will still feature DJs on the weekends, spinning an eclectic selection of tunes ranging from jazzy house to Cumbia rhythms, Northern Soul and smooth Amapiano. But instead of getting loose in the crowd, the bar welcomes patrons to sink into a chair and take in a different kind of listening experience where music, conversation and drinks flow like water.
WHERE: 31 Tattersall Lane, 3000
WHEN: Tues—Sat, 5pm ‘til late.