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It's high time that a whimsical, fairy-themed bar with a rock'n'roll edge came to Melbourne's CBD. And even higher time (no pun intended) that our drinks were delivered to us by way of zipline.
Enter: Arcane Fairies, a strange, theatrical and all-together otherworldly late-night bar that's just fluttered down onto Lonsdale Street.
With giant, red-hued fairy folk suspended from the ceiling, medieval-looking decor and an abundance of quirky touches that promise to momentarily transport you out of the cold, hard reality of 21st century Melbourne, this magical watering hole does not come quietly. Created by director Steve Thomas, Arcane Fairies is full of deep crimson colours, curious corners and a generally immersive, playful energy. It's like if a NYC speakeasy entered a fantasy dimension.
There's a fairy chest bar with Guinness on tap, glowing bottles and rare spirits, and, if you look carefully, a hidden key that will reveal a secret surprise within the venue itself.
Tapping into this kind of rebellious fairy spirit, the menu sings with classics like wicked ribs (chicken ribs with honey-stung chilli, lemon and masago), a lobster doughnut (with smoked tomato and a curry emulsion) and fairy crack fries (fries with arcane spice and fried onion mayo), amongst an abundance of other spellbinding bites.
The menu has been carefully conjured up by renowned celebrity chef Jake Warhurst, who has served as a personal chef to BOTH Drake and Virgin CEO Richard Branson, meaning we can rest assured that all the food you eat is going to be rich with innovation and a dash of perfect weirdness.
The drinks menu isn't any different. Aptly titled 'Elixirs', you're in for a plethora of drops that sing with curious names, like 'Nixies Lure', 'Aura's Blush' and 'Sylph's Golden Glow', all of which promise funky flavour combinations, delicate notes and excitingly complex edges.
But the most exciting element has to be Arcane Fairies' crowning glory: the zipline. While it isn't big enough to ferry you squealing across the venue (alas), it is the perfect size to send your drinks direct from bar to table. Forget wobbling awkwardly with four pints and one expensive cocktail through a crowded bar – the zipline has your back.
Made up of more than 50 metres of zipline that stretches across the venue's ceiling, this addition is the very first drink delivery system of its kind in Australia. Both hilariously theatrical and conversation-pausing, its arrival begs the question: why hasn't this happened already?
Fully accessible, open late and welcoming to every kind of magical reveller, Arcane Fairies is unlike anything we've seen pop up in quite some time. You can frolic with the fairies every week from Wednesday to Sunday. Learn more via the website.
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