Zekkai has opened on level 15 of 123 Queen Street, transforming the former Blue Diamond speakeasy site into a penthouse restaurant, cocktail bar and club with 270-degree views across the CBD.
The venue comes from hospitality veterans including Lam Kai Fung, former executive chef at Nobu and American Club Hong Kong, plus promotional teams behind Bond, Trak, CQ and Ms Collins.
The space blends Japanese dining with late-night club energy, keeping the original grand piano from its jazz bar days while adding a DJ booth, dining areas, a cigar terrace and private function spaces with balconies. Zekkai takes its name from the Japanese term zekkei, meaning beautiful scenery or superb view, combined with chef Lam Kai’s name.
Zekkai
- Now open
- Level 15, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
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The menu features wagyu steak with truffle paste, mango dragon rolls and the Millionaire Margarita, a $115 cocktail made with Herradura Selección Suprema tequila, caviar and gold leaf. For something more accessible, there’s $1 gyoza happy hour running from 5pm to 8pm daily, plus $69 set menus for two on Wednesday date nights.
Chef Lam Kai Fung has worked in kitchens around the world, bringing Japanese techniques to the Melbourne dining scene. The menu focuses on balance and presentation, mixing precision with local tastes.
The venue shifts from sunset dining spot to club as the night goes on. The expansive balcony overlooks the city, while the cigar terrace and multiple function spaces give plenty of options for different occasions. The glass rooftop design gives floor-to-ceiling views across Melbourne’s skyline.
Zekkai joins Melbourne’s collection of high-rise bars and restaurants, occupying a historic site that once operated as a members-only venue. The space has been completely redesigned with contemporary styling while nodding to its previous life through kept elements like the piano.
For more information, head here.
