Lola Belle

Overview

We're used to seeing bars specialise in just one spirit — Gin Palace, Studio Amaro and Mejico — or simply focus on wine, dark spirits or beers.

But rum and champagne? For us, that's a new and unlikely pairing. Yet for Huw Griffiths (Union Electric), these boozy bevs are meant to be together. He believes this so strongly that he has set up Lola Belle on Fitzroy's Brunswick Street, a cosy new bar that champions both champagne and sugarcane.

In the back bar, you'll find one of Australia's largest collections of rum, which the team will gladly help you explore. There is a strong focus on terroir, highlighting unique flavour profiles from rums all over the world.

But those who don't take their rum straight need not worry. Rum-based cocktails also feature here in spades, with a particular focus on daiquiris. As of writing, there are three variations on the menu, including one made with light rum, another with dark rum and a third that features acid-adjusted grapefruit juice.

"We want people to order their daiquiri like they order a martini – to know the style they like," Griffiths explains.

Lola Belle also features an extensive champagne selection. We're not sure how mixing these two drinks throughout the night will pan out, but you're more than welcome to give it a go and let us know how you feel the next day.

Pair your pour with simple eats like fresh oysters, and cheese and meat boards. This is a bar, first and foremost, so don't expect food to be plentiful or particularly lavish. You come here for the drinks, choosing to dine out in the area either before or after hitting Lola Belle.

Images: Gareth Lewis.