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We didn’t really need another reason to beeline for Fitzroy after dark, but we’ve just got one: Introducing Flair, a new late-night venue featuring burlesque, cocktails, crimson lighting and a menu where everything costs just $15. It's the latest venture from hospitality veteran Rio Olivetti, and it’s bringing a fun dose of affordable theatrics to Melbourne after dark. The idea? A little bit Parisian cabaret, a little bit Italian glamour, a healthy hit of Melbourne grunge and a very accessible price-point.
According to the team, the moody, warmly-lit venue has been designed to blur the lines between dinner, drinks and nightlife – with shareable food, on-point cocktails and live entertainment all happening under one roof.
“I've spent my career in hospitality, but I always knew I wanted to create an unforgettable venue that goes beyond dining or food,” says Olivetti. “I wanted to capture the spectacle and theatre I've admired throughout Europe while embracing Melbourne's creative, slightly grungy spirit.”
As the name suggests, Flair certainly isn’t short on spectacle. The venue will host a rotating program of live entertainment, curated by Corset Entertainment creative director Holly Mouat, with up to three performances a night from Thursday to Saturday and two on Sundays. Expect burlesque, cabaret, circus performers, fire artists, hula hoop acts and plenty more theatrical antics. Then, from 9pm, things get even livelier as rotating DJs take over, transforming the space from dinner-and-a-show into a full-blown club.
The drinks menu is similarly playful, mixing classics with signature cocktails. Highlights include the Gold Rush (made with Kettle One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin infused with Bosc pear, Cointreau and white cane spirit) and the Yuzu Blush (combining goji berry-infused Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Absolut Vodka, yuzu, passionfruit and lemon). There’s also a selection of Australian and European wines and Champagne and a range of non-alcoholic drinks.
On the food front, head chef Mehmet Akbass – whose CV includes Melbourne Winery, Fancy Hanks and Tulum – has created a European-inspired menu designed for grazing late into the night. And, yes, every dish is $15. That means you can order burrata with heirloom tomato, toasted garlic and beetroot; watermelon with feta and togarashi; zucchini fritta balls with Marzano sauce, feta dust and dill; or a pizza, with options including margherita, prosciutto, four cheese and diavolo, without having to spend a small fortune.
Inside, Flair is deliberately dark and intimate, with a custom-built stage framed by arches as the main focal point. The bar sits at the rear of the ground floor, with high tables surrounding the performance space and an upstairs balcony overlooking the stage. There’s also a hidden undercover beer garden tucked beyond the main room, with space for up to 40 people – intended as a more relaxed spot for drinks and a venue for private events.
Flair is open from 4pm to 1am Thursday to Saturday, and 1pm to midnight on Sundays. Reservations are available via the venue’s website and social channels. You can find out more over here.
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