Melbourne's Arbory Afloat, the place to see and be seen every summer since 2016, is reopening Tuesday October 26, with all the relevant social distancing and government regulations in place. The floating pontoon - part bar, eatery and weekend session venue, has had inspirational styles in past years from Miami Vice, the French Riviera and California's Palm Springs.
This year, the inspiration is the Turquoise Coast, also called the Turkish Riviera, running along the SW coast of Turkey from Cesme to Alanya and includes two of the seven wonders of the ancient world - the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. The Arbory team are bringing the feel (minus the ancient ruins) to the venue, with 80 year old olive trees, thatched roofing, tasseled umbrellas and Missoni style fabrics.
The rooftop area will be (socially distanced) littered with day beds and lounges, with two bars operating as well as the deck area around centrally located pool. The team at Arbory are very focused on providing an inspired experience this season, with all of the challenges presented by operating in a post lockdown world. Also returning this year is the exclusive and ever-popular Four Pillars and Arbory Afloat Pink Gin collaboration, with a brand-new gin and label design along with an exciting Pirate Life Brewing Summer Mediterranean Lager craft beer.
Executive chef Nick Bennett has called on the skills of Turkish-born chefs and siblings Nada Thomas and Salim Gafayri to inspire the food offering which will be decidedly Mediterranean, and while Turkish food will be the key, will include pizzas. There are eight Riviera themed cocktails on tap as well as Arbory Afloat's usual offerings, with DJ's, drinks and a swim a must for any visitor to Melbourne.
Committed to supporting the arts community year on year, comprehensive programming will again be a huge focus, celebrating local art, music, and culture across multiple categories. After a year that saw many of Melbourne’s major calendar activations cancelled, Afloat’s schedule of all-inclusive, ticketed events include Christmas and its famous NYE and NYD Pool Party events.
Arbory Afloat has become a Melbourne institution over its short life and while there will be very limited space for walk ups, bookings are essential if you want to experience what the team have on offer this Summer. Arbory runs almost the length of Flinders Street Station, can be entered from the western end of Flinders Street or downstairs via the Princes Bridge on the eastern end.
Bookings at https://arboryafloat.com.au/