June 29 2023 update: Arbory's running a limited-edition winter fondue special until August 31. For just $20 per person, you can gorge on a pot of hot molten cheese with sliced french baguette, truffle potato rosti, pretzels and pickles for dipping. The offer is available for groups of 2-4 and the fondue features Swiss Gruyère, Fontina and truffle pecorino. For more details or to make a booking, head to to the website.
This massive outdoor eatery and beer garden sandwiched between two Melbourne icons (the Yarra River and Flinders Street Station) stretches for 120 metres along the river bank and is officially Melbourne’s longest bar. They’ve got Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz on tap for quick-fire service so you can spend more time kicking back and less queueing, otherwise the juicy tang and fresh kick in the Tommy’s Watermelon Margarita is a just reward for your patience. Swap your rosé tinted glasses for the orange variety, specifically a bottle of the 2011 Pheasant Tears Katheti from the Georgian Republic if it's still available.
Though riverside dining may seem more of a summer thing, Arbory's got Melburnians covered when it comes to wintry comforts. From hot bouillabaisse and ham hock soups to hot toddies, mulled wine and cheesy fondue sets, there's no shortage of comforting delights to enjoy under the heaters and umbrellas. Some of Melbourne's best DJs rotate weekly on the decks, so grab a date or a group of friends and settle in for the night. You can make a booking here.
