The Round Up

BONNY OPENS IN FITZROY The newly launched Bonny in popular Brunswick Street Fitzroy comes with an attractive offering and an impressive team. Beermash Shayne Dixon and Edge Brewing Project Adam Betts along with ex Vue de Monde Josh Crawford and Michelin-trained chef Henry Sugar co-owner, Mike Baker, have created a cosy, intimate 60 seater featuring 27 taps of leading craft beers, natural Australian wines, unique cocktails and cold brew coffee. The grazing bar menu is Australian and Spanish inspired made with ethically processed Australian produce.

“We’ve met our farmers, winemakers, brewers and distillers. We are passionate about sustainability, minimising wastage of ingredients, and eliminating one usage bottles and cans in the bar. For example, Josh makes his own soda and tonic waters, homemade lemonade, peach black plum hibiscus tea and stewed marmalade syrups”, said Adam Betts. His nonalcoholic cocktails made with bespoke tonics and sodas are particularly impressive.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE CELEBRATES VALENTINES AT THE NGV The partnership of Bombay Sapphire with the National Gallery of Victoria is the gift that keeps giving. This Valentine’s Day, Gin & Tonic heart-shaped popsicles were free and a big hit at the Friday Nights Gin Garden. Who needs red roses when you can have a blue Bombay Sapphire G&T heart-shaped ice treat? Checking out Crossing Lines exhibition where 1980s New Yorker art renegades, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat are curated together in a world-first with a Bombay Sapphire cocktail in hand was a bonus.

A RIVIERA-INSPIRED ROOFTOP PARTY WITH GREY GOOSE This summer, premium French vodka brand Grey Goose partnered with Captain Baxter in Melbourne’s St Kilda beach precinct to create the Riviera Rooftop inspired by the shimmering Cote d’Azur transporting guests to the French Riviera. The nautical theme included a Grey Goose seaside swing, beach umbrellas, deck chairs and pétanque as well as DJs, summer-inspired Grey Goose cocktails and beachside sunsets. The summer-long collaboration coincides with the recently released annual limited-edition summer Riviera bottle in collaboration with French fashion label Maison Labiche.

INNOCENT BYSTANDER PAYS HOMAGE TO ITS STREET ART ROOTS Being a part of emerging art scene is in Innocent Bystander’s DNA. Fifteen years ago when the brand launched its first wines, the label made waves both domestically and abroad. It featured a street-art inspired design that was avantgarde for a Yarra Valley winery and set a new precedent for label design in the wine industry. Innocent Bystander stands by this connection with emerging street artists and so partnered with Can’t Do Tomorrow, Melbourne’s inaugural street art festival. It is also partnering with Circus Oz for their Melbourne Food & Wine Festival event Innocence Lost – wine, dine and debauchery in March, the Brisbane Street Art Festival and Sydney Fringe.