Slowpoke, a new rooftop bar and lounge has arrived in Collingwood; it’s where you’ll find cocktail curator Harry Costello as he narrates the drink and wine list here – stirring nostalgia for the past [think cocktails that riff on lemonade stands of vintage Melbourne and who can ever forget the Ice Magic dessert from the 80s] -it’s coming to a cocktail on the list there soon.
Harry Costello has shared his love of cocktail making at venues such as Bar Romantica, Lounge, Hugs and Kisses in Melbourne. He spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
I love Melbourne for its amazing food, bar and nightlife culture. I can never keep up with all the great places to eat and drink but that doesn’t stop me trying! The diversity of cuisines available here is what makes it special. We just need to bring back more 24-hour ramen in the city and we’re golden!
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The Peruvian curry at Barra. Divine.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Tommy’s Margarita shaken and dumped with a shot of cranberry juice in there. Salty, Sassy and fabulously fierce.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Shot of Frangelico in a double-shot dirty vanilla chai.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Joji in Sydney stole my heart with a beautiful venue, delicious Japanese food and premium whisky selection.
OVERSEAS BAR
Band-Aid Bar in Seoul is a must visit. Basement jazz bar that is as perfectly classic as they come.
FAVOURITE WINE
A Le Coste Litrozzo magnum bottle between friends on a hot day never goes astray. What can I say—I like big bottles.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Gentle Folk Winery in South Australia, I love their Vin de Sofa and their bottle of Rainbow Juice is a treat.
NEXT DESTINATION
Taipei.
WHAT MAKES SLOWPOKE’S ROOFTOP BAR UNIQUE
Slowpoke’s most unique quality would have to be its stunning interior design. With stylistic influences from Tudor to Art Deco to Californian petrol stations, the crew have created their own Slowpoke universe that feels like a harmonious timewarp, a world where chandeliers and saloon doors work in matrimony. Sunset at Slowpoke is something else.
TALK TO US ABOUT THE COCKTAILS
Slowpoke invites our guests into the space as an extension of our living room and we’ve designed our autumn cocktail list to reflect that cosy and homely feeling. A few noteworthy additions are our Breakfast Martini’s with apricot marmalade and mandarin liqueur, mulled wine inspired by Hungarian recipes to warm the heart and a triple spiced rum and ginger elixir to ward off the cold spirits.
MELBOURNE MOMENTS YOU CAPTURE IN THE DRINKS
Our drinks menu aims to keep it playful and isn’t afraid to take on local lore or forgotten classics. Whether that simply be an overlooked recipe or a lost flavour reminiscent of childhood. Our spiced lemonade pays homage to lost nostalgia of neighbourhood lemonade stands and we’re currently experimenting with an Ice Magic dessert cocktail. Fairy Bread has a lot of potential, it’s about breathing new life into our treasured memories and revitalising them in an elevated form. And it’s a lot of fun.
THREE COCKTAILS AND WHY
Jimmy’s Mezcalita — a Mezcal margarita with a teaspoon float of a smokey scotch on hand. Pioneered by local musician Jimmy Stanfield, this will rock your socks off.
Charlie Chaplin — a pre-Prohibition cocktail that stands the test of time. Any excuse to live out my alter ego from another century.
Finally the Godfather — a rye whisky or scotch cocktail perfectly balanced with amaretto. A cocktail for talking serious business after sunset.
WHAT SHOULD A BAR ALWAYS HAVE
A bar should always have saloon doors. Once you go wild west you can’t go back.
