R Bar Is Crown's Luxe New 1920s-Inspired Cocktail Bar from the Rockpool Group

A dapper new cocktail bar is about to land in Southbank, with the sleek and sophisticated R Bar slated to open inside Crown Towers by the end of the month. The latest venture from the Neil Perry-helmed Rockpool Dining Group, it's set to take over the former Waiting Room site, opening on Friday, July 26.

With plenty of art deco stylings, R Bar is inspired by the 1920s and is an homage to the world's best-loved and most celebrated hotel lobby bars, such as the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore and Venice's Harry's Bar. Sitting adjacent to Rockpool Bar & Grill, it has space for 110, including an intimate 16-seat private bar.

A Great Gatsby-inspired fit-out features lots of dark timber, rich velvet and bronze mirror panelling, with a show-stealing chandelier of handblown glass and sculptural pendants hung from the soaring ceiling. Throw in a hefty wall of bottled cocktails and spirits ageing in barrels and you've got one seriously luxe hangout.

The booze offering heroes hotel bar classics (such as the singapore sling, manhattan sour and bellini) alongside modern cocktails with plenty of native ingredients and local spirits. The bar has a dedicated martini service, too – expect an all-Australian spirits lineup, and drinks poured and garnished at your table – as well as a serious barrel-ageing program, which is apparently one of the largest in the country. Concoctions including negroni, manhattan, old fashioned, boulevardier, sazerac and vieux carre are all being aged in house in a variety of barrels, sourced from some top Aussie wineries and American distilleries.

To eat, expect an equally impressive food offering, with menus for all hours of the day. Breakfast might mean a superfood bowl, fresh pastries or house-made crumpets, or brunch-appropriate cocktails like the strawberry and rhubarb bellini.

Come 11am, you can sit down to the likes of oysters and caviar, crab cakes, crostini and charcuterie, while heartier appetites will appreciate additions like the burgers, a revamp of the humble chip butty and a classic waldorf salad. Even hungrier folk will find solace in the God Mother, a mega-sandwich with seven cold meats, lettuce, tomato and hot sauce, which is inspired by Santa Monica's Bay Cities Italian Deli.

On weekends, an afternoon tea service features either a spread of finger sandwiches, savouries and pastries teamed with coffee and tea, or a more decadent collection boasting caviar and champagne.

Find R Bar in the Crown Towers Melbourne lobby, at 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank from Friday, July 26.