Eau De Vie Melbourne

What a hidden gem in the heart of Melbourne! I was lucky to be told about it as I was only in the city for several days so there were only as many places I could visit and this one was definitely in the top. The whole idea of having the door in the middle of nowhere, great selection of drinks, amazing ambience and service - I believe Sharon( too many cocktails to remember:)))) was very lovely and helpful and all the other staff members were amazing. Loved the cocktails and whiskey and cheese tasting and their home made baguette was so yummy. Definitely one place not to miss in Melbourne.

My wife and I had an awesome time. A gentleman with a moustache served us the quintessential package and had excellent presentation skills and later recommended a fantastic Whiskey (it was Scottish aged in smoked barrels I wish I remembered the name..)We’ve visited a few times over the years it a great establishment.

An impressive hidden bar with an overwhelming amount of drinks to choose from. The bartender really knew his stuff inside and out, which turned the evening into a lovely experience. I’d certainly like to return to try the Australian whisky flight. Highly recommend!

Haven't been down to Eau De Vie for awhile. Me and my partner went there on Saturday night (13/09), atmosphere was buzzing with lovely people. Staff are amazing as always, wiped down the tables twice as we sat down. We didn't order food as we had dinner beforehand. We ordered 3 drinks. Don Giovanni - citrus floral champagne style fizz - Delicious!! Tomorrow's Party - Watermelon, lime, banana with henny VS cognac - bit strong but punchy and fruity. Great notes together. Doc Mason's Dragon - Pineapple, lime, Dragon fruit, coconut water with tequila - And what a small performance beforehand. Fire torch dusted with cinnamon (I think) to create a fire breathing dragon) - Would definitely order again! Overall, such a great night, lovely staff, and ambience. Must Try and visit. Many drinks on the menu, you can't go wrong!!

Hidden bar without any signs. I love the concept of this bar and the interior. Such unique cocktails and delivers an immersive experience for customers. I love when I can tell a place is passionate about what they do. The blend of ingredients into their cocktails makes you intrigued and curious. Definitely an intimate cozy bar that is perfect for chit chat. This bar is timeless and classic for Melbourne. Highly recommend 💋

Outstanding cocktails. Good luck choosing off the extensive menu. Each cocktail was a form of art! A great find, tucked away 🤫

The cocktails were great but the service honestly stunk. Inattentive staff, are you short staffed perhaps? Either way, waiting 20 minutes for service when trying to order a drink in a bar of this status is sadly well below expectation. A few more attentive staff on the floor, some more comfortable stools and this place would be so much better.

Had a great night at this bar! The atmosphere was lively with great music—not too loud, just right for conversations. The staff was friendly and attentive, even on a busy night. Cocktails were creative and well-balanced, though a bit pricey. The highlight was the outdoor seating area, which added a relaxed vibe. Only downside was the wait time for drinks during peak hours, but it was worth it. The crowd was mixed and the overall energy was upbeat. Perfect for a weekend hangout with friends or a casual date night. Will definitely be coming back soon!

What a fun place hidden in Melbourne. You will not see it from the street. When you go inside it is magical. A hidden speakeasy with specialty cocktails. We had the cheese board as well. A really cool gem! Waitstaff was exceptional as well.

This is one of those places that has a realy prohibition feel about it, to the point that it can be pretty tricky to find as it happens to be behind a rather non-descript door. In fact it took me a bit to actually locate the place since it isn't hugely advertised, however once you step inside it is pretty awesome, but I suspect that is what the whole prohibition theme is about. The service wasn't bad, and while it is a little pricier than norm, they do have a pretty good selection of beers. It is pretty classy, but as I suggested, that has a lot to do with the prohibition feel.

Such a vibeeee! The atmosphere and bartenders were top notch! As you can see from the pic, the options are endless and they are so creative, especially the nitrogen for some really cool drinks.

This was a very special night with great food, fabulous cocktails, and the best service I have experienced. I learned so much from our wonderful host/waiter as he walked us through our spectacular evening of joy and happiness. An impression was made on us. I am looking forward to returning for a repeat performance.

- 100 stars if I could - behind a nondescript door in an alley - it's hard to find, especially in the night - delicious and inventive drinks - everything is good! - bartenders are very knowledgeable about their craft - get your camera ready - no wifi - walked in without resey on a Thursday night

Love the mystery of finding this place! Once you've made your way, what's worth the find is the elaborate cocktail menu! Highly recommended the Smokey Rob Roy and the Birth of Venus. Just the presentation itself makes you want more!

Excellent, Excellent cocktails and food. It's a speak easy type environment. Lots of fun and decor. The smoked Rob Roy cocktail excellent. My wife had the espresso cocktail, which was served with a pour of Liquid nitrogen to freeze the whipped cream. Impressive and fun. The oysters were excellent and the porterhouse steak with chimichuri was fantastic. Excellent service.

Very cool underground bar. Cocktail menu is extensive, extravagant and delicious. Staff are passionate about their craft. Definitely worth stopping in.

Fantastic cocktail menu the best cocktails I have had in Melbourne the staff are friendly and absolute scientists on how they make their super large selection of delicious drinks. Hard to find it's behind doors that make it hidden but it's worth it, be sure to book Thu to Sat it gets real busy.

We went here as a late dinner even though they are a cocktail bar but they do sell food. We had already had a big lunch and pre dinner nibbles and drinks at out hotel. They do serve food but its share platters and so on but still nice to have with a cocktail or two. It's a hard to find place in another Melbourne cbd alley and I had to google what the door looked like to find it. Once in then it's easy. The place was pack and luckily I had booked and we go a couple of seats at the bar. Watching the guys making the cocktails was a real treat and the way they do things is very entertaining. We had a couple of nice cocktails no food though as were eaten enough already. It's fairly dark and a small place and a little different to what I had expected but it was still an enjoyable experience. It's work a visit to sample some of their drinks and enjoy the show.

A must if you're looking for cocktails in Melbourne! Online reservations and accepted and encouraged. The drinks were fun and adventurous, often involving flames and crazy presentations. It's easy to overlook - find the nondescript brown door with a brass handle on the west side of the alley. Definitely worth checking out for speakeasy vibes and delicious beverages!

4.8. Not overhyped at all. This is a very, very, very good bar that is truly representative of the best of Melbourne. It has a mysterious entrance that I found hard to find despite repeated warnings. The dark lighting and dark wood panelled interior is very chic. There's an awesome range of drinks here including hundreds of scotches. We had a lovely sparkling and a few wines together with some eggplant chips and a charcuterie board. Excellent smart active staff here as well. Trust me, it's a superb place.

Another one of those hidden bars in an alley that you wouldn't know exists until someone tells you about it. Only give away was the woman standing outside it. Go through a heavy wooden door to enter a warm cozy looking venue with booth seating and long bar tables. You can make bookings too. We got here around 7.30pm and readily found some seating but there was a queue when we left. If you are a whiskey lover well there is a menu just for whiskey from all over the world. The cocktails menu is quite massive and each one has a distinct name. I got the death by peru cocktail with pineapple, Pisco, lime, and slivers of white chocolate. Quite frothy. A bizarre taste I couldn't place with hints of pineapple and slivers of white chocolate on the top. My drink companion got the marshmallow cocktail which was again frothy and tasted like butterscotch. Reminded me of butter beer. Cocktails start at 20ish. There is a Small bites menu. Saw some people get espresso martinis that arrived encompassed in a smokey haze. Reminded me of Narnia.

There is no sign on the door but when you do finally find Eau De Vie, you won't ever forget it. The music, bartenders and atmosphere gives me an old school classy vibe and with the wide drink selection and nibbles you could really spend a whole night here and watch the magic happen. Be prepared to spend a bit here as the drinks do add up but it is like paying for drinks AND a show watching them make each cocktail with precision and passion. I've visited alone, on dates or even in groups and each time I stumble away happy.

Since EDV opened 18 months ago, my love for it has grown from a subtle girly crush to full on heart-palpitation, "let's get married and have children" love fest. Seriously, if I could tie the knot with a bar this could just be the one. When someone asks me which bars in Melbourne they should visit, EDV sits in the top five as I know it will never disappoint. Weeknights are a little less frantic and you'll have an enjoyable time sitting at the bar taking to your bartender as s/he mixes your drink. Friday's and Saturday's are, in my opinion, to be avoided if you want to hear your drinking companions and feel a little more relaxed. If you're a massive fan, consider getting a spirit locker to house your favourite spirit. You'll get your own locker key and keyring and feel like a rockstar when you roll up at the bar for a business meeting, date or solo drinking session and ask for "a martini please, using my gin."

Melbounians love the secret hidden bar. You now the one, hidden down a lane way, just near exit three of Willsons parking, third red door on the right. Only problem is trying to not have too many drinks so you can remember it to show off to your friends next Saturday night. Eau De Vie is this bar. I was here quiet early (about 6) on a Saturday night and there were only a few other in the bar (one being one of the gals from winners and losers). The first thing you notice about the venue is its not your average bar - this place is so cool its hot (oh god, I've turned into my mother). Soft lighting, highly polished tables and an overall feel of style. The staff were amazing. Very helpful to walk us through the extensive cocktail menu. I had an espresso martini, and it was the best, that's right best I've had (I've had many). In true Eau De Vie style the drink if served at your table, and in this case liquid nitrogen poured over the top, turning the cream into ice cream. Eau De Vie isn't the sort of place I'd organise a bucks night, or take my aunt Carol (cattle farmer and Victorian wood chopper 2006 - 2007) but a great date place, or an intimate catch up with good friends.

Fun find off Flinders Lane! (Say that 10x fast!) When I followed my group of colleagues down a random alley, I couldn't help but wonder if they were going to do some sort of Yelp initiation on me, but luckily once we went through the unmarked door, we entered a really cool, dark, speakeasy bar that offered some very solid cocktails. We walked into a nice room in the back with enough couches to fit a big crowd like us. Browsing the cocktail list, there was so much to choose from. I ended up settling with the rum based "Pre Dinner Moves". Partial reasons for choosing this one out of many was that I was hungry and it came with 2 big olives. :) Some of the drinks that my colleagues ordered were presented quite creatively; some had smoke that escaped once a cover was lifted, another's was served in a repurposed tomato juice can. Prices are typical for these types of establishments ($20-25) but again, worth every cent. Perfect place to lose yourself in drink and forget about the world for a while!

Cheap? No. Quiet? No. Incredibly creative cocktails in a stylish space? Hell yes. Best to book or expect to wait. You enter through a large, unmarked wooden door with a brass handle. The cocktail list is a book - its overwhelming. There is also the option of food and an impressive array of whiskeys. Tuesday nights you can get a whiskey and cheese pairing for $40, which is a bargain given the 5 whiskeys and cheeses you get. Drinks run $19 and up, with most around $23. It will take some time for them to be made as they are complex, but given the packed house, I was impressed with how fast they could make them. The espresso martini will spoil you for any others - topped with frozen mousse, it's the ultimate dessert. Drinks come frozen, flaming, smoked, or in a funky vessel like a shell or a horn. It's not your typical drink - tasty and so much fun!

As far as cocktails go, this is one of the best places to check out! so many cocktails to pick from and such a great vibe in there! Make sure you book in advance! We made that mistake and went back and forth 4 times before we could get a spot. My favourite would have to be the liquid nitrogen espresso martini. Tasted like I was eating tiramisu! Will be back again to try more cocktails so I can leisurely enjoy it :)

This busy little cocktail bar oozes sophistication. Not one to come in for a boozy night, but to truly sit back and enjoy some fine alcohol. Dark, cosy and delightful. I've been here on a Friday night, which was a tad hard to get in due to its well-deserved popularity. On a weeknight, especially if you're up for some after work indulgence, you can truly appreciate this venue and its bartenders for all it's worth. Regardless, it's always great and you're guaranteed to receive a drink that has been thoughtfully made by passionate staff that want you to have a good time.

I can certainly understand why people are enthusiastic about this place, but it's over-the-top gimmicky and the cocktails are very, very small. I need more than just three gulps. I had the Van Gogh Fizz which is a corpse-recover style refresher with absinthe as the base. It was okay, a bit skimpy on the alcohol. Also had the Banderillero because our waiter said it was his favourite. It's served in a bull's horn--which would normally make me feel like a total assclown, but since others at my table were drinking from perfume bottles and skulls, it was relatively normal. The bull's horn holds a deceptively slight amount of drink, so ultimately I ended up feeling like I was paying for the weird, gimmicky containers more than for the spirits. If you love cocktails, skip it. If you want to have a laugh with friends or visitors, give it a try.

If you can find the entrance to this bar then you definitely deserve the opportunity to try their dirty martinis. I chose vodka and as my friend expressed an desire for an excess of olives that's what we got. In a very cute little jar. We also got the showmanship that comes with using dry ice to keep the classes cool and our vodka arrived in beakers. I loved the decor, so very gangster chic. I completely adore anywhere that has booths! The bartender was friendly knowledgable and had a huge array of liquor choices. I will endeavour to become a regular here and I will bring friends.

I am in love and Eau de Vie is his name. This instantly became my favourite bar in Melbourne. It embodies all the right things for a speakeasy bar: subtle front door easily missed, lovely tunes of the 20s/30s, dark and classic decor, secret wall leading to another room (I'll let you figure it out), and the best bartenders in the biz. Having received a generous gift voucher here, I was ready to make a night of it and almost had to be pulled out or at least convinced we would be coming back soon, for me to leave. It starts and ends with the cocktails. Give yourself time to read through the menu, understand the theme to help you decide what mood you are in for your libation adventure. I went with the Tio Ernesto, their version of the Bloody Mary. I was skeptical when it arrived partially deconstructed with the tomato juice in a tin can, a tiny bottle of Tabasco and the rest of the drink garnished and ready to go. After mixing it up, it became more clear with each sip why this was regarded as one of the best Bloody Marys in the city. There was a hidden seasoning buried somewhere in the vodka perhaps, that helped this drink shine. Next was an equally excellent, if not better drink, The Blood and Sanderson. It had me at bacon bourbon but with port, blood orange and lemon, it went down way too easy. The fact that it arrived in a steer's skull proved this drink was a lady killer. There was delicious bar food to recommend as well. Fried eggplant chips were thin and tasty, with a light BBQ seasoning and dipping sauces. The real star were the mussels in a flavourful tomato sauce atop grilled leeks. Perfection! Lastly, I had to try the signature Espresso Zabaione, a carefully crafted martini with a strong and delicious drink underneath a liquid nitrogen mousse. It's fun to watch them prepare but even better to crack through the shell, mix in the goodness and enjoy a lovely sip! Good luck finding another espresso martini that compares. All in all, this place could easily become my new go-to spot for a happy hour drink before dinner or a night cap on an evening out. This makes my list of Melbourne's Best. xoxo

Actually finding the door to get into this place is a challenge but well worth it. We came in on Saturday night and there was a bit of a line but the wait was reasonable. We enjoyed the espresso martini, the aviator and a shared pineapple cocktail. Service was very efficient and friendly. The cocktails are over the top and exciting, who doesn't love a little liquid nitrogen! I would absolutely be back here when I return to Melbourne, top quality place.

After years of walking past Malthouse Lane thinking 'I must go find Eau de Vie one day' I finally got around to it last week, and boy was I glad I made the effort! The dim lighting, dark wood and cosy atmosphere was perfect on a chilly midwinter's night. It is small and quite cramped, but you will find yourself so distracted by the theatrics behind the bar that you probably won't notice. Deliciously flamboyant cocktails. Great place for a first date, or a second or...

I have heard about this bar for a while so I finally decided to go without reservations on a Monday night. Most tables were full, but we didn't wait for table. It had a nice dark vibe and if you were allowed to smoke in bars, I imagine it would have been slightly mysterious and hazy with smoke. Once we got settled onto a large high-top, we ordered the Blood and Sanderson and a the Kitty Cocobongo. The Blood and Sanderson was served in a skull and was a play on the actual Blood and Sand. The cocktail was good and had enough changes in the alcohol that you could tell it was a take on the original. The Kitty Cocobongo was more citrusy, but very delicious with the perfect amount of foam on top. It was so good we ordered another round of cocktails that were just as good. I'll have to go back and order some of my other favorites. Overall... On weekends they take reservations and I have heard it's extremely busy so I wouldn't make an extra trip here if your just drinking beer, wine or whiskey. There are many other Melbourne bars that can accommodate that. BUT... If you're looking for well balanced cocktails with alcoholic ingredients that may surprise you, then try this place with some nibbles. They are very on-point when it comes to new mixes. They are not just bartenders ... they are mixologists!

Birthday cocktails were on our list for our girls' weekend in Melbourne and with a recommendation of EDV, we were set. Situated down a lane with no signage, this bar is still immensely popular. We decided to risk it with no reservation booked and we were happy to be seated within half an hour. The bar gives off a prohibition speakeasy vibe; cosy and delightful on a winter's eve. Your first time? Try to be seated at the bar. These cocktails are works of art and the bartenders who make them are truly artists - think fire, smoke and liquid nitrogen; it was so fun to see them at work. While we both went for lighter, fruitier cocktails (we were yet to eat dinner), it's on our bucket list to come back and try their signature espresso martinis with nitrogen frozen vanilla mousse. We found the service friendly and cheerful, and particularly prompt up at the bar. We're very keen to get a larger group together next time we visit, booking one of their low lounge tables and drinking our way through their cocktail and specialist whiskey menus.

For bars, I am in love with Eau De Vie! Not a huge bar with music that is way too loud to have a conversation. I have had dates here and it's nice enough to have a conversation, light meals and mostly the list of cocktails. Everytime I visit, I will have a minimum of 2 drinks and they never fail. You could spot some stars here, on one of our visit, Curtis Stone was there.

It's a very good place if you drink different cocktail. The waiters can help to take the best cocktail for you. For the menu, they have only small meal. You have many choice but all is very small. If you are two, it's better to take 5 meals minimum. My cocktail was so refreshing : gin, lemon and cocombre ! I love this cocktail and his presentation. For meal, we took them and chicken croquettes (sooooo delicious), wagyu charcuterie with mustard and bred ( good association), and tuna salads ( very tasty and the tuna was amazing but it's very expansive for the size $24). For the desert, we try the donuts with coffe creamy it was so so so good. This restaurant is a very good address for a date, or drink cocktail with your friends or business meeting.

I'm not sure what the hype is about this place. It's just another regular bar. I heard so much about it that it left me underwhelmed. Everyone recommended it. It has a prohibition era speakeasy theme but I really think it's overated. With that said, they have some delicious appetizers like the prawns and something else I can't remember, but the prawns were delicious. It's a little difficult to find but it's actually wherever your Uber drops you off. Just look for a big wooden door with no sign.

Four stars?! What was I thinking? EDV deserves a solid five. It's one of my favourite drinking establishments in the city and one of my go-to recommendations for out-of-town visitors. Sit at the bar and watch drinks dramatically prepared using liquid nitrogen and blow torches. Not sure what to order? Have a chat with the bartenders - they have a solid knowledge of classic cocktail history. EDV has both style and substance. The vibe is intimate and the cocktails are excellent (in both flavour and presentation). Come here with your favourite friends and your hot dates. Come here on a weekday for delicious decadence. Linger. You deserve it.

The entrance is so easy to miss. It's just a door without a sign in an alleyway. It wasn't too busy on a weeknight and we were seated pretty much straight away. The whisky list is amazing. They have over 300 bottles of whiskies all around the world. There's another book for cocktails and a separate menu for a light meal. The service was attentive and friendly. The staff are so knowledgeable and unpretentious. They were super accomodating with delicious mocktail for the non drinkers. The ambience is chill and it's a great place to hang out. I will definitely be back!

Service is on point. Particularly when we were seated in a booth with an amorous couple that couldn't resist eating each other's faces out. 5 mins of that view and the staff sheepishly asked if we were keen on our own booth that had become available which we happily obliged! The cocktails were superb. They make a grand show of making and presenting it and it wasn't cheesy at all I loved it. My espresso martini was served with liquid nitrogen poured over it to solidify the vanilla mousse. The aviator cocktail had a blue piece of fairy floss depicting a cloud with a mega cute folded paper airplane delicately placed on top. As with the other cocktails ordered they all had their certain flair to it but these two have definitely made a place in my heart. Very much enjoyed my night here. Lastly - Male service staff mustaches - oh my! They wear it well!

First of and most important NOISE IS NOT MODERATE!!!! Totally deafening in the main bar, loud music played over noisy crowd. We the asked the manager and were moved to the Library Room which was much more civilised. Fabulous drinks and surprisingly good food. Excellent service even on a busy Saturday and very friendly efficient staff.

All around 5 stars for this amazing speakeasy in downtown Melbourne that can stand tall against any of the best bars of the world. Amazing cocktails with an avant garde feel and a warm and inviting decor with some of the most knowledgeable servers I have ever met. In my opinion one of the top 10 best bars in the world that I've been to.

Each time I visit EDV, I seem to fall in love with it more and more. From the excitement of opening the big wooden doors, to the feeling of warmth you feel as you walk in on a cold winter night. Most of the harsh LED lighting in the cabinets has now been replaced with warm lighting which helps the atmosphere immensely. My new favourite is the Westwinds thyme (bitters) martini, dry with Sicilian olive garnish. It's savory and delicious. Bar snacks include eggplant frites, pork belly, charcuterie board, just to name a few. There are some healthy options and GF options also. Service here is exceptional. Always greeted warmly and the staff know their booze. 10% surcharge on public holidays. I've had many lovely memorable nights here... If you've not yet been, it's a must visit. X

Fantastic whiskey selection and impressive cocktails! The waitstaff were particularly helpful and knew what they were talking about. I asked for a recommendation and was not let down. The drinks were created with fun and entertainment on the mind and we were impressed every time a drink was presented to us. This place is a must!

A few don'ts, and one do, for EDV: If you don't head to EDV often enough, you WILL get lost in the laneway. Forget about looking at the doors (as my friend was aimlessly, bemusedly doing for several minutes 'till I rocked up). The secret to the location: look for the old-fashioned glass street lamp hanging high on the brick wall, denoting that *those* are the unmarked doors below (out of so many in the laneway) to push open. If you don't quit talking on your phone when you enter the darkened, sexy interior, you WILL trip on the lone stair as you walk in. If you don't listen to the bartenders' expert advice (as they sit down next to you, or even on the table), you WILL be forced to flip through their extensive, fancy cocktail list before you order up a mouthwateringly-delicious concoction. If you don't dress up nicely, you WILL feel like a schlub. EDV is a class act, y'all (and an absolute perfect place to take a date, if you are so inclined). Dress accordingly and you'll feel as fancy as its interior. If you DO take all of my advice, you WILL have a great time at one of Melbourne's most genteel laneway bars.

I first found Eau De Vie a number of years ago while getting dragged around to a few hidden Melbourne gems with some friends. It's cozy, it's inviting, it's a little bit secretive - it has everything a squirrelled-away Melbourne bar should have. Very much in the vain of an old speakeasy, Eau De Vie is luxuriously made up of a lot of wood, a gorgeous bar stocked with pretty much any whisky worth trying, and a cocktail menu that will make any lush blush. A few go-to drinks would have to be the Espresso Zabaione and the Yuzu Mule. The Espresso Zabaione is the best of the espresso martini's, topped off with saffron and vanilla mousse, and frozen with liquid nitrogen right at your table. A spectacle to behold. The Yuzu Mule is delivered on large chunks of ice, in a beautiful copper mug. It rings of vodka, honey, and lots of ginger beer. As refreshing as you can get on a warm Melbourne night. Worth a look-see, again and again!

EDV has been on my list of places to try for quite a while now, and I can happily say that I wasn't disappointed! It can be a little hard to find, down the laneway with no hugely obvious signage out the front. Once you're inside, the dark timber and interesting decorations create a really warm, low lit and intimate atmosphere. As far as cocktails go - they are as good as it gets! Each cocktail is served in incredibly unique glassware, from cute little glass tea cups, right through to replica animal horns, and the presentation of each cocktail becomes quite a theatrical display, with the use of liquid nitrogen, flames etc. From what I can see, the food looked great, and will be back to try that next time.

EDV is amazing in so many ways... Firstly, only those in the know, know where to find this place (behind an unmarked heavy wooden door, down a small alley way). Secondly the place can only be described as plush! Classic decor, with an amazingly well stocked bar, but more importantly bar staff who know how to use the well stocked bar! The two other things that I especially love about this place, they have lockers (think glass cases) where you can store your own bottle of spirit (I'll have a cocktail made with my Vodka please...), and there is a second room behind the bookcase! This bar is pretty quite mid week, but can get busy at weekends... Check it out... you will not be disappointed.

Classic speakeasy style cocktail bar with a vibrant menu that tells a story. I had a few drinks here while passing through Melbourne for work and was so glad I found this place. The bar staff was friendly, and the drinks were well-balanced with thoughtful flavor profiles. Whatever drink they made with the flames was KILLER to watch. Very cool and flashy. If I lived locally I'd love to drink my way through the menu over time, but I just settled for a few gin cocktails. I'm glad I read reviews first, otherwise it would've been quite difficult finding this place. Overall, lovely hidden gem and would highly recommend!

La-di-dah we do like a fancy cocktail don't we?! On a rainy, dark Tuesday evening it seemed more than appropriate to walk past the brown door - twice. But boy oh boy - when we finally got in it felt downright magical. Smooth service, smooth music and smooth surrounds. This is the place to go if you want to impress friends and visitors to Melbourne. Staff were amazingly friendly and not too cool for school as you may perhaps expect. The choices of cocktails and whiskey were impressive as was the presentation once the drinks hit your table. I can see why this would get packed on weekends so happy to keep it to an occasional weeknight treat (for which my bank account will be grateful for....). As for this locker key business - it's my birthday later this month. #justsaying

"UHM HEY DO YOU KNOW WHERE UHHH THAT FRENCH-SOUNDING COCKTAIL PLACE IS?" "Eau De Vie? I'm headed there myself." "OH MY GAWD WE'LL JUST FOLLOW YOU THEN! WOO!" It's ok, they were quite tame and sensible, and patient enough to wait in line once we'd slipped behind the big metal door. It was a Friday night, after all, and Eau De Vie was HOPPING. BUZZING. OTHER EXCITABLE WORDS. And it was my first visit ever, can you believe it? I was worried I'd built this place up to the point where reality couldn't possibly exceed expectations. And as I waited in line and looked around the space, I thought perhaps it wasn't going to. But then the server came down the line to check numbers, and when I mentioned I was a party of just one, he declared that he would be my friend. Being a busy night, I was sat at a table with a couple of other small parties. We were presented with an array of menus, and while they were a pleasure to read through, nothing particularly jumped out at me. I asked if there was anything on the experimental menu that led with gin and it must have been my night because Jack had a current competition drink meant to mimic cucumber sandwiches. One of those, please and thank you. Not long after I'd ordered my drink and before I'd received it, I was told that there was a single seat at the bar just for me. MY TIME TO SHINE. And that's where the five stars cement themselves, because not only was the drink was delicious (of course), but the bar seat was comfortable, the company was delightful, the bartenders were showy and the time just disappeared. I had to make a run for the second-last tram of the night to get back to my accommodation, though I almost wished Eau De Vie had stayed open all night... because I would have been comfortable at the bar for hours, maybe days. My one regret is that I didn't come here a lot sooner. Lesson learned. See you next time, EDV. I PROMISE.

Really great cocktails, but even better service. I didn't really much like the drink that was first suggested, and they very rapidly made sure that was fixed. Difficult entrance to find, but I guess that's the fun of it!!!!!!

When someone comes to visit Melbourne, the "must visit" place is Eau De Vie. Melbourne has this stigma of laneways, quirky art, cosy bars and an air of class: Eau De Vie fills all of these requirements. Tucked away in Malthouse Lane (which is hard enough to find by itself) behind a discrete unmarked door, is this glorious establishment for those who enjoy dressing nice and drinking nice. Eau De Vie is the perfect location for a couple group beverages before a night out, after dinner, or just for a one on one with a treasured friend. My "must try" beverage is The Blazer. Fired rum with walnut liqueur, bana glaze and porter beer makes for the perfect combination on a cold winter night. The Old Fashioned ain't too bad either. Straighten your tie, slap on some cologne, grab your wallet and get down to the classiest joint in town.

Yes EDV serves us well. A large non descript door, and then enter into luxurious surrounds in what actually feels like a private club. Add to this the extensive Whisk(e)y menu, the equally as impressive cocktail list- almost the length of a novel, and the fact that you can opt for little bar snackings or even a degustation menu, and this is the kind of place that will consume more and more of your time. There's also little lockers in which one can keep their chosen tipple for a future occasion. Yes, you will pay handsomely here, but EDV as a venue invites a sense of occasion. With some small talk and banter and drinks in hand there's not much else you need here. Go here to indulge.

This place is exactly what it says it is.. Hidden, classy and slightly pretentious. Went there for my birthday drinks with a fairly large group and they happily found us a table. The waiter however wasn't so friendly and could have been because we didn't order as much as he would have liked. The drinks itself are pricey and it's not exactly the place you can spend all night getting Drunk on a tight budget. The drinks itself are tasty and overall it's a good place for a drink or two.

You don't spend more than a week in Melbourne seeking legitimate cocktail bartending jobs (no more Velvet Hammers or Alabama Slammers, please god) before somebody points you down Malthouse Lane and toward EDV, and bless them for doing so. Because even if their roster's all filled up...you'll be back. As I have been a few times, and I've literally not found a single thing to critique at this joint. When there solo, the bartenders have been friendly, humorous and oozing candor whilst they whip up what's arguably the most notable drinks menu in the city; when there with a date, the polite and soft-spoken server was attentive and patient, never pushing drinks like a ticket scalper under the gun. Impeccable service. Have you ever opened the lid on your jam jar drink ("Hmm, a touch over-done," you say?) and watched as a thick plume of smoke spills over the rim, having kissed your Negroni (I'm totally going to forgive them calling it a Negrizzle) with a delicious charcoal-y aroma of winter nights by the hearth? Because if you have, I bet you did so at EDV and you get what I'm saying here. It might be worth doing drinks like this for novelty alone, but it actually does add something: flavor, atmosphere, even a bizarre nostalgic olfactory tingle. There aren't a lot of joints taking this much casual, unpretentious pride in the drinks they create...but Melbournians are lucky enough to have one right under their noses.