Sibling to King & Godfree Deli and Espresso Bar below, Johnny's Green Room is a sunny, relaxed rooftop bar with stunning views across Melbourne. Open from noon til late, daily, it's serving up a Euro-centric cocktail lineup courtesy of drinks guru Matthew Bax (formerly Bar Americano). He's crafting the cocktail list as an ode to Italian outdoor drinking — think sophisticated yet cool sips with a side of people-watching. The wine program then comes from sommelier George McCullough and features mostly Italian drops from both established and emerging winemakers.
Celebrity chef and author Karen Martini, who has taken on the role of Culinary Director, has whipped up an Italian-inspired menu that's all about sharing — think 48-hour slow-fermented dough pizzas and stacks of cicchetti — which is great because food tastes better when it's pinched from someone else's plate. Expect a culinary journey from Carlton to the coasts of Italy, minus the jet lag.
Owners Jamie Valmorbida and Luca Sbardella also joined forces with architect Dion Hall (known for his work at Music Room, Supernormal, Pidapipo Laboratorio and Rare Hare) to give the place a snazzy makeover at the end of 2023. They've even thrown in a semi-retractable roof, because Melbourne weather.
While this venue doesn't have the pool tables and gangsters of the eponymous Johnny's, it does have something of a stylish Italian nightclub vibe, with a varied lineup of resident DJs — as chosen by non-profit Hope St Radio — taking to the decks regularly. What's more, you can expect plenty of high-energy rooftop parties happening throughout the year.
