Renowned personalities within the Australian culinary scene, Joe Jones, the creative mind behind Romeo Lane, and Maurice Terzini, the proprietor of the esteemed Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Sydney, are collaborating to introduce Purple Pit, a sophisticated cocktail bar situated in the basement of the neo-gothic Queens & Collins building. This venture is expected to be a prominent highlight for the forthcoming launch of Reine and La Rue.
Set to open to the public in early December, Purple Pit takes inspiration from the opulent grand hotel bars of Europe, such as Harry’s Bar in Venice and the American Bar in The Savoy London. The establishment will offer a diverse selection of both contemporary and traditional European-style cocktails, alongside a delightful variety of late-night friendly bar snacks.
Joe Jones stated, “It’s a collaboration between myself and my esteemed friend and partner Maurice Terzini that came about years ago from our shared love for classic linen-dressed hotel bars and gritty clubs with great music and purposeful drinks. Similar to my previous venue [Romeo Lane], it will exude an ambiance of darkness and romance with table service.”
This marks the duo’s initial foray into Melbourne since the inception and subsequent closure of the short-lived trattoria Cucina Povera Vino Vero in 2022, in partnership with chef Joseph Vargetto.
The drinks menu is anticipated to showcase an array of enticing offerings, including the Ticket to Ride, a half-Martini paired with champagne and finished with a dollop of caviar on taro crème fraîche. Other highlights consist of the Bellini with peach essence and burnt honey vodka, a Dark and Stormy with rich Bermudan rum and fresh lime, and the Emerald City, a highball featuring a house-made jasmine spirit with lemon, sherry, and green apple soda.
Jones further explained, “It’ll very much be a venue [centred] around cocktails. If you’re familiar with any of my old work, you’ll know what you’re in for … Eurocentric, fairly minimal and easy to enjoy with the occasional vogue ingredient thrown in.”
Regarding the culinary offerings, patrons can look forward to a gastronomic experience dubbed “champagne food,” featuring offerings such as calzone with various fillings, a tomato tartare with a texture reminiscent of dry-aged beef, and a tangy tuna loin.
Maurice Terzini’s fondness for harmonizing food with music will be evident in the carefully selected post-punk soundtrack, as well as an eclectic music program spanning from electronic beats to jazz trios.
“We aim to create a vibrant space that welcomes everyone. A place where you can feel at ease, whether you’re ordering a bottle of Krug or a shot of Jack Daniels – the two are not mutually exclusive, by the way – and be served with the same level of enthusiasm,” shared Jones.
Purple Pit is poised to become a prominent establishment at 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne, offering a captivating blend of exquisite cocktails, tantalizing bites, and a welcoming atmosphere for all.
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