Rocco's Bologna Discoteca

Overview

Rocco's Bologna Discoteca was one of the silver linings during Melbourne's lockdown-filled 2020, popping up for just a couple of short stints to make use of the Gertrude Street space that normally houses Poodle. The temporary sandwich joint proved so popular that it made many cameo appearances since, and eventually set up a bricks-and-mortar restaurant right by Poodle.

And in September 2023, Fitzroy's beloved Italian sandwich bar decided to expand by opening a new upstairs bar called Vince's Bar. Named after the father of one of the owners, it's a more relaxed and intimate space than downstairs, and boasts a focus on cocktails and snacks.

Some of the highlights include the pandan negroni, made with gin, vermouth and pandan syrup; Vince's martini, which whips together vodka, grapefruit bitters and chamomile oil; and the Spaghetti Western No. 2, which uses mezcal, mango, rose vermouth, bitters and prosecco.

The snack menu is also Italian-inspired, with small plates like oysters, mortadella mousse tartlets, and crescetina with Cantabrian anchovies and goat ricotta.