Double Happiness
Editorial Review
There's a soft whisper in the back streets of Melbourne. A kind of hushed tone that falls on people's lips when they utter the name of this Chinese/Communist-inspired retreat; whispering ??Double Happiness'. Why hushed? In truth, it's small. Telling too many souls would make it unbearably crowded. Plus, once you neck a few CPC (Communist Party of China) cocktails - like a Dictatorship of the Proletariat - the delights of the Orient open up to all your whims.
Echoes of Mao flash through one's mind as you push your way through this intimate bar decked with Chinese pop-culture remnants and red propaganda. The bar itself is usually a buzz with staff, forever mixing cocktails of curious flavours. The less adventurous among you can opt for standards, such as a TsingTao beer - a Chinese pilsner - or the well-known Tiger. Those devoted to the almighty drink can even purchase your own spirit to keep behind the bar for your next visit, provided you don't down it before that.
Although the furniture may not be slanted towards the comfortable end of the scale, the emphasis here is on harnessing the thrum of the crowd. We're talking bench seats, low tables and small, box seats. Go on; get cosy with that stranger and try your luck.
Mark Gambino, July 2008
User Feedback
Heidi
September 13, 2006
They also do a red hot espresso martini.
MissSkip
September 17, 2006
Great little bar. Slightly cool, but very relaxed. No city suits on a Friday night. The staff are really lovely. The bar is quite small, but on this early spring night it really hit the spot. There are plenty of cosy seating, or you can stand up near the bar or out in the courtyard.
Adrian
September 19, 2006
Absolutely awesome bar - comes into its own in summer - try and snag the seat under the window in the street. Good drinks, friendly staff, good crowd.
Nik
March 16, 2007
This bar gets it all right! Quirky & great atmosphere would be two ways I would describe it. The bloody maries are the best in town with a wasabi kick & they allow their guests to buy a locker of vodka so that when they go they are drinking from their own personal bottle.
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