Everyone loves a hidden bar. There’s something magical about leading your mates into an unmarked venue, like some kind of boozy Indiana Jones.
A stark yellow light at the intersection of Brunswick Street and Alexandra Parade is the only signpost to this concealed den of fine drinks and merriment. I Know a Place is a tiny venue with a lot to offer. The bar inside is a compact room of cocktail genius, with a seasonal menu offering a multitude of concoctions.
Grab a steaming Granny’s Special Cuppa to warm the cockles on a winter’s evening – aged Cuban rum, apple and spiced maple served in a china mug. During the summer months you can step through the back door into an expansive courtyard overlooked by a towering street mural of a Mexican farmer, courtesy of the Everfresh crew. It’s all wipe-clean metal tables, party lights and an outside toilet here, which is better suited to sampling their hyper-local craft beers or Palomas (grapefruit soda and tequila – zip!)
Get a table on a balmy Sunday afternoon and soak up the sun while listening to the resident DJs. Ballast comes in the form of New York-style hot dogs – cooked in the courtyard and best served straight up with ketchup, mustard and sauerkraut. It’s two bars for the price of one and both of them are great. Marshal your buddies and march them on down, pronto.