Newly Opened Waterslide Bar Has a Killer Drinks List, But No Waterslide

Southbank's busy bar scene just got a little more crowded. Opening this week in the Southgate precinct, Waterslide Bar has put together a first-class selection of boozy beverages. Just don’t get your hopes up: despite the name, they don't actually have a waterslide. Or at least they haven't for about 100 years.

As it happens, the name Waterslide is actually a hat-tip to Melbourne's early twentieth century history. Long before Southgate and Crown Casino, the south of the Yarra was home to an outdoor amusement park, complete with toboggan rides, a Japanese teahouse and a yes, a waterslide. Unfortunately the park only lasted a few years — turns out Melbourne's winter weather wasn't any better back in the day.

Lack of aquatic fun times notwithstanding, Waterslide Bar does look pretty promising. Bar manager Tim Wastell (previously of The Blue Diamond in the CBD, The Saint in St Kilda and Rockpool Bar in Perth) has teamed up with Fred Siggins (Black Pearl in Fitzroy) on a historically themed cocktail menu. The Grace Kelly (gin, fresh pressed pear juice, Earl Grey, honey, cinnamon syrup and dehydrated apple) pays tribute to Hollywood's quintessential leading lady, while The Cure (vodka, blueberry, balsamic syrup and ginger) promises to relieve all common afflictions "including dolefulness, scurvy and turgidity."

The food menu, while not quite as well-stocked, still offers plenty of great choices, including twice-cooked pork belly skewers with plum sauce, mini soft shell crab po'boys with zucchini pickles, and Mediterranean style pickled and marinated octopus with feta.

Waterslide Bar can be found in Shop MR3 Mid Level East End in the Southgate Centre, Southbank. They're open 4pm – 2am, seven days a week.