If it’s been a while since you last headed upstairs to Lygon Street’s Johnny’s Green Room, you’re in for a surprise. The trendy rooftop bar reopened the summer just gone with a fresh Tuscan terrace-inspired look, menu and vibrant year-round music program in collaboration with Hope St Radio and some of Melbourne’s most sought after DJs.
Award-winning designer Dion Hall (Music Room, Supernormal, Rare Hare, Pidapipo Laboratorio) has lent his creative hand to the renovations, which include an extended capacity for 260 patrons (and yep, this place sure gets busy), plus a semi-retractable roof that keeps the bar weather-friendly all twelve months of the year.
In addition, renowned chef and author Karen Martini has swooped in to lead the kitchen as the new culinary director, while one of Australia’s top cocktail mavericks, Matthew Bax (Bar Americano, Tippling Club), spearheads the drinks.
“We wanted to celebrate the sprezzatura of Italian terrazza drinking and entertaining with a list that’s fresh, spritzy and smashable,” says Bax. “The list will be seasonal and something of a flavour map, where you can taste the different regions of Italy.”
Think Amalfi-inspired Limoncello Margaritas, Negronis good enough to rival the best of ‘em in town and Spritzes galore. Of course, there’s a solid list of wines swill and sip, too, thanks to sommelier George McCullough, plus local craft brews to keep the beer lovers happy.
And for those off the grog, don’t think you’ll miss out on a damn good bev. The zero-alcohol mocktails here might just convince you to stay off it altogether, and there’s a solid round-up of snacks to give you energy for the night ahead.
Made from 48-hour slow fermented dough and authentic toppings, pizza is definitely still the star of the show around here, but Italian-style share plates and cicchetti make the perfect sidekicks. Graze on dishes like the zuzzhine fritte with whipped cod’s roe and anchovy, creamy stracciatella with green melon and cucumber, and calamari spiedini – all elevated takes on Mediterranean fare that Martini is known for mastering.
If your sweet tooth beckons, try the special gelato soft serve with fior di latte gelato, chocolate fudge and strawberry and pepper granita; it’s a creation from Lisa Valmorbida, only the mastermind behind gelato giant Pidapipo.
All in all, the new Johnny’s Green Room is a celebration of Italian terrazza drinking culture, minus the daggy old Italian music (seriously, the beats here and state-of-the-art sound system give the bar a proper day party feel.) Give it a whirl the next time you’re wandering down the Lygon strip. It’s got you covered for dinner, late night drinks and everything in between.
