Overview
What do you get when you cross a World Bartender of the Year, some of Melbourne's most iconic coffee beans, and a healthy amount of ST. ALi's coffee liqueur? Well, you get ST. ALi & The Queen, of course.
St ALi's newest addition to its lineup is a European-style all-day venue that will sit in the new $500 million Munro development on Queen Victoria Market's doorstep. Think ST. ALi's signature coffee in the morning, a market-driven breakfast and lunch menu, and coffee-infused cocktails in the evening.
Don't expect your standard espresso martini here (although the love-it-or hate-it staple will be available), as the cocktail menu comes specially designed by World Bartender of the Year 2022 winner, Orlando Marzo. Along with the freshly shaken or stirred stuff, Marzo's bottled cocktails, LORO, will also be available to purchase.
"I'm very excited to collaborate on an all-day bar that captures 360 degrees of hospitality — from coffee and pastry in the morning, to all-day aperitivo with cocktails and food," says Marzo.
"The vicinity to the market excites me, particularly to build a sense of community with the ritual of the 'shopping and spoil kind of scenario' — don't we all have a little treat that we like to get when we shop? … ST. ALi & The Queen [will] be a great addition to the most iconic food precinct in Melbourne."
It's not just cocktails that shine, as Executive Chef Greg McFarland has designed a food menu influenced by Queen Vic Market to make the most of the fresh produce available on-site. The marble bar counter will also feature a "grab 'n' go" selection of sandwiches and pastries, along with an array of pantry items from ST. ALi's specialty grocery store.
Inside, high-top tables designed to meet the needs of the morning coffee rush feel right at home with a backdrop of exposed concrete floors, natural lighting, and glass house made from recycled materials that reflect the design ethos of Fiona Lynch, who designed the interior of the space.
ST.ALi & The Queen is open Monday–Sunday from 7am.
Images: Supplied.