Channeling the energy of a 1940s clubhouse for Italian New Yorkers, Pepe's Italian and Liquor – a reliable stalwart for pepperoni pizzas, family-sized parmas and classic cocktails 'til midnight – has slowly established itself as one of Melbourne's more characterful Italian-American offerings since opening its doors in 2019.
In a bold step forward, owner Nick Kutcher has just opened a sibling bar next door: Pepe's Parlour. The chic new spot, set in a glasshouse in the sun-dappled shadows of a 150-year-old tree, stays open from lunch until midnight – perfect for casual long lunches and Martini date nights.
“We wanted to create somewhere that feels special but never stuffy,” says Kutcher.
Don't expect a run-of-the-mill sandwich here; head chef Antonio Loffredo bakes the fresh ciabatta daily in a custom-made brick oven, with options spanning porchetta, eggplant parma and the ultimate chicken cacciatore dip. If handmade pasta is more likely to steal your heart, try the baked vodka rigatoni or ricotta and salami cannelloni.
To cater more widely for the CBD's casual lunch-goers, lighter options on the menu include protein-balanced lunch plates with seasonal sides. Think Aperol-cured salmon with avocado and pistachio pesto green beans or barbecued chicken skewers with ancient grains and charred peppers, with most dishes on the menu priced nicely under $30.
Popping in for a nightcap instead? The venue's intimate Martini bar creates a moodier evening setting, with timber panelling, velvet bar stools and sultry lighting. A standout feature is an evocative ceiling mural by the acclaimed artist Jordy Van Den Nieuwendijk, famous for his work with Vogue and Hermès (don't miss an opportunity to try ‘Jordy’s Tomatoes’ – a tomato-infused Martini inspired by the mural).
The bar also offers a blend of classic cocktails and signature modern interpretations, such as cheeky riffs on the Porn Star Martini, Appletini and Mexican Martini, as well as more traditional variations – plus, a complimentary serve of nuts and olives, of course.
Whether you check Pepe's Parlour out by day or night, be sure to give the team a very warm benvenuto! We can't wait to snag a street-side table as the weather gets warmer.
Pepe’s Parlour welcomes walk-ins and bookings are available via the website.
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