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Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here.
Moondrop is a new drinking den from the team behind cult fave Carlton North café-bar Sleepy's (Steve Chan, Jesse Kourmouzis and Jacob Muoio). Loosely inspired by an enchanting fusion of Chinese folklore, East Asian flavour profiles and world-class bar culture, this dreamy venue mash-up blends Fitzroy cool and craft cocktails with the vibes of 1920s Shanghai.
Sometimes these ideas sound better on paper, but the celestially-headed Moondrop – a fresh takeover of the hallowed former space of the Everleigh – has quickly risen beyond its initial opening buzz to deliver one of the most thrilling and magical drinking experiences in Melbourne right now.
Once you slip in and get cosy, it’s hard to leave.
The vibe
Guests are whisked away from Gertrude Street into a world lit by a giant glowing moon lantern that's draped in soft white fabric, with a red mosaic bar and Mahjong tables disguised as furniture.
Chinese hip-hop and r’n’b set the tone, and the venue’s moon rabbit emblem – drawn from traditional Chinese mythology – appears everywhere: on uniform pins, menus, even the ice stamps.
The space is full of cosy nooks worth claiming for the night, from the Drop Lounge with its upholstered burgundy banquettes to the intimate 12-seater Burrow, a corner framed with velvet curtains.
With both counter and table service available, expect to feel more cared for at Moondrop than you may have at a bar in a long time; the keen staff are enthusiastic in swapping stories and preferences in depth. Don’t be afraid to ask more about the ancient legend behind the venue’s rich symbolism (also readable in a beautiful format within the menu).
The food
A collection of elevated riffs on nostalgic Chinese-Aussie snacks is concise and affordably priced. It’s well worth sampling from, particularly if you’re in the mood for freshly steamed, handmade dumplings – the ideal light snack to pair with Moondrop’s sophisticated cocktails.
Yumyum vegetable; prawn, ginger and spring onion; and pork and chrysanthemum-filled parcels come in servings of 4 at $15, glossy and bursting with their fragrant juices. I’d personally go back for those alone, even if I was only stepping in for a single drink.
You could take or leave the $8 cheddar tartlet that’s been bejewelled with a kind of quince paste, though its delicate, buttery texture is impressive and the floral shape very pretty to look at.
Elsewhere on the menu, there’s a Chinese bolognese jaffle (must try next time), ‘little bag of prawn crackers’ and a snowskin mooncake – a type of confection popularly enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival – with white chocolate and matcha ice cream.
The drinks
Signature drinks from Kourmouzis (Above Board) spotlight rare Chinese spirits and traditional flavours, from the lapsang souchon tea-infused sweet vermouth in the Chanhattan, to the baiju and MSG brine in the dry and savoury M.S. Gibson.
Bubble tea enthusiasts will be tempted by the Me & Ube (a clarified oat milk punch textured with tapioca pearls and balanced with pineapple juice, ube, Licor 43 and three types of rum), while those who can take the heat may fall in love with the Sichuan Slipper, a drink that combines Mouio’s homemade hot sauce alongside Midori, Cointreau, Anchos Reyes Verde and lemon juice.
And you may even receive an unexpected electric blue drink, a refreshing drop made with Chinese sake and aloe vera gel, depending on what they’re serving that night.
The knock-out is the Morning After Snowfall, which is nothing short of cinematic: a rich cacao and vanilla cocktail built around hojicha tea, koji notes and the grounding burn of Fuji whiskey. Watching the bubbles drift slowly up through the viscous drink and taking a bite into its volcanic rock-like chocolate garnish, you’ll realise you’re in the presence of greatness.
Time Out tip:
Take your time acquainting yourself with the helpful flavour profile icons at the bottom of the drinks list: sweet, sour, bitter, dry and smoky. This is a world to fully immerse yourself in and learn more about what you like as a drinker.
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