Tuscan Bar

1/79 Bourke St, Melbourne, 3000. (03) 9671 3322
When I headed off to Tuscan Bar, I admit I was expecting a level of decadence. Their chandeliers and gaudy art are world famous in Melbourne and I thought I’d be basking in splendour. Not quite.

They got the decor right. It’s just over the top enough to be great, with three tiered chandeliers, reproductions of the great classic paintings, parquetry and more than a little gold leaf.

But the problem is that the atmosphere, clientele and service just don’t really enter stage-left in this grand production.

It was loud. Too loud. The music was more Chapel Street doof doof than ‘take a load off and relax’.

I ordered a sparkling, a mineral water and a small bottle of Pipsqueak cider, as well as a bowl of chips. The tab came to $31 – not too bad, I suppose.

On the plus side, they seem to take bookings, which is nice if you’re going for a special event. The “rooftop terrace” is more like a beer garden, but reasonably spacious and despite the rain on the night I was there, patrons were still up there smoking and chatting like they were in the Bahamas.

Tuscan Bar has potential, but personally I think there are better watering holes up that end of town.

Website: www.tuscanbar.com.au