Above Board

Down Chopper Lane. Through the back door of Beermash. Up the stairs. Earning your spot at Above Board is half the thrill—the other half is what happens when you claim one of the mere twelve seats at this minimalist, bottle-free island bar. Melbourne's hospitality crowd and serious cocktail purists routinely point to this room as the city's absolute benchmark. No cluttered backbar to distract you. No rigid menus. Just dialed-in, omakase-style mixology. The team operates with uncanny intuition—pitch them your preferred flavor profile, and they'll shake or stir a bespoke build that hits every note perfectly. Expect flawless execution, right down to the logo-stamped clear ice. It’s ultra-intimate, effortlessly cool, and fiercely dedicated to the liquid in the glass. Grab dinner beforehand—there are no snacks here—and settle in for a masterclass in modern drinking.