Metabar is not an easy space to define. Perhaps, intentionally so. The venue’s creators Jared and Amy Campbell envisioned a multidimensional space that could fulfill a myriad of needs, from post-work wines to corporate and trade events. Behind the striking kit-kat tiled facade on Griffith Street you’ll discover a multi-level building that houses office spaces on the very top level, co-working and a VIP sitting space in the middle, and at the bottom is where you’ll find Metabar, a trendy New York-inspired tipple temple. While it might seem like a bit of a random pairing, it actually makes perfect sense for those who like to blur the boundaries between work and play.
Step down from street level into Metabar and your gaze will immediately be drawn to the bar’s impeccable fit-out. Envisioned by Story Design Collective and brought to life by Isaac Srour of KTS Building, a plush, green velvet booth undulates the length of the interior with low-set stools and tables loosely designating sections while maintaining fluidity. The striking bar takes pride of place on the adjacent wall and features three enormous television screens that span the entire length of the space creating a mesmerising (and constantly evolving) backdrop – sometimes it’s a crackling fireplace, others it’s a series of source code, a hint to the bar’s name. Incredibly, the shelves housing the bar’s impressive spirit collection have been installed on sliders, so they can move to the left or right depending on the requirements for the space. In the back corner is where you’ll find the band. While some venues treat live music as an afterthought, at Metabar, it’s been considered from the outset with the whole space planned around the stage.
Metabar’s selection of swill is a nod to the world of cryptocurrency and Web 3.0 (you might be detecting a theme here?), with Cloud Miner (Sailor Jerry, Massenez, mango liqueur, mango puree, lime, vanilla, coconut cream and roasted almonds) and Ethereyum (vanilla vodka, Grey Goose vodka, apricot liqueur, ginger ale, passionfruit foam topped with a passionfruit coated in vanilla sugar) among the tipples. For those who fancy their cocktails on the tiny side, there’s a page dedicated entirely to moonshots – the Firewall (Fireball, Jagermeister, Sailor Jerry and chilli flakes) is guaranteed to spice up your evening. When it comes to the edibles, Metabar offers a tightly curated selection of tapas ranging from pumpkin arancini and burrata on sourdough to tempura prawns with wasabi mayo and bug rolls. Reflecting the sophisticated vibe of the venue, it’s envisioned the bar will host a rotating roster of jazz and blues bands throughout the week and on weekends.
Keen to check out Metabar? Skip over to our Stumble Guide for opening times.
Image credit 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11: Asher King
