Double Happiness
Editorial
Located just off the main drag of Melbourne's Chinatown, Double Happiness is named after the Chinese 'good luck' character used to decorate the homes of newly married Chinese couples. In a rather cheeky take on twentieth-century political China, the interior is decked out in communist propaganda, Maoist symbols and allusions to historical events of the era, with a definite emphasis on the colour red.
While most of Chinatown proper is awash with often kitschy and shabby restaurants that boast displays of plastic meals in the window and more plastic in the form of dining chairs and tablecloths, Double Happiness speaks clearly to another, new-gen Melburnian whose expectations of a Chinatown experience reach beyond the limitations of Little Bourke Street. This new-century take on a historical Chinese experience is of course preparing you for what awaits in the form of an equally propagandist-styled cocktail list. Fancy a 'Great Leap Forward' in the form of a concoction of lychee vodka, mint, lime and ginger? How about a taste of 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat' with cardamom vodka, tomato juice and spices? Or just plain old 'Mr Foo' whose chilli vodka, coriander, lime and dry ginger ingredients are sure to manifest in a sure dose of $15 Double Happiness indeed!
The wine list, although as tiny and as unique as the venue itself, manages to cleverly position itself right up there with the best by offering local, French, Spanish and Argentinean wines from $8 a glass and upward from $37 a bottle. Local, Chinese and Japanese beers start at $8.
The laneway location, the discreet use of signage and the element of surprise makes Double Happiness a quintessential Melbourne bar experience that is ideally placed to thrill locals and impress visitors.
Brenton Geyer, July 2010
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.
summer
November 10, 2010
Sounds interesting.Never been there before, mabey try this friday!
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