Overview
HER is here. The HQ Group (the hospitality crew behind Arbory and Arbory Afloat) has set up residence at 270 Lonsdale Street to introduce five storeys of drinking, dining and deftly-designed good times to the neighbourhood.
On the ground level is HER Bar, where you're invited to disappear into the gorgeously sleek fit-out at any time, day or night.
Yes, this is a bar that also does breakfast.
The morning menu is short but clever, offering wholesome options like granola with poached stone fruit or avocado cashew cream and broad bean pesto on sourdough, alongside the less virtuous poached lobster omelette with soft herbs and gruyère.
And the breakfast service at HER comes with its own drinks menu. This is a bar, after all. Try an Aperol Sour on tap or the signature HER French 75 made with MGC gin, HER Marionette blood orange and hibiscus.
But dinner is when you can really pull the ripcord. The menu, designed by Arbory's Executive Chef, Nick Bennett and Head Chef, Josh Rudd, is described as "French-inspired" and it sure stands pretty true as a tribute to Parisian bistro culture. Escargots à la Bourguignonne and sourdough, a great-looking duck frites with aged duck breast, herb jus and fries, and a cheeseburger with raclette, pickles, Dijon mayonnaise and Julienne Fries give you a sample of the snack-or-stay-all-night approach to the food.
As Nick Bennett explains it: "The food at HER BAR is simple and accessible — European fare with a French lean but delivered with a modern lens... The menu is made to snack, share or settle in for the long haul, at any time of the day."
The drinks program brings a similar mix of classic meets contemporary, with an any-time-of-the-day cocktail list curated by HQ Group's General Manager, Tom Byrne, and wine program from Marcus Ellis (formerly of Melbourne Wine Room and Mr Wolf) that mixes French and Italian makers with an eclectic lineup of local Australian wines.
Big night out, working lunch or buzzy breakfast? HER Bar is hoping to help you do it all.
HER Bar is open for business at 270 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD. You'll find HER Bar on the ground floor of HER.