Double Happiness

21 Liverpool St, Melbourne. (03) 9650 4488
Double happiness is the Chinese character used to decorate the home of newly married Chinese couples. I might not be getting married any time this millennium, but this particular Double Happiness never ceases to bring me joy.

The root of that joy is in the bar’s phenomenal cocktail list. It’s one of the most creative and inventive in Melbourne and there’s always something new to try.

On this occasion I decided to have an umeshu on ice (my absolute must have drink at the moment) and my friend went for one of the more fancy offerings, a Dictatorship of the Proletariat ($15), essentially a new take on the Bloody Mary, consisting of cardamom vodka, tomato juice and spices, witha real kick to finish it off.

Other cocktails include the Great Leap Forward (Double Happiness lychee vodka, ginger, mint and lime) and the Paper Tiger (Umeshuy, Noilly Prat, lemon and apple). Martinis come in lychee, classic, espresso, chilli and rum varieties. All cocktails and martinis are $15, which to me seems like good value, considering some of the prices I’ve seen for cocktails in the CBD lately. There’s also a wine list and a few beers, including Tsingtao and Kirin.

The staff here are always friendly and willing to help you out with suggestions or recommendations. And if you’re lovely and tip generously, because they don’t serve food they’re more than happy for you to order Japanese from the restaurant next door and get it delivered.

The only issue with this place, if there is one, is that it’s very, very small. That’s what makes it great, but can also make it difficult – it can all be a bit much when it’s crammed full, but when it’s not heaving at capacity, this place is surely one of the best to imbibe at in the CBD.

There’s also an upstairs bar called New Gold Mountain, run by the same mob, which takes up the first and second floors of the same building. We hope to review it soon.

Website: www.double-happiness.org
www.newgoldmountain.org