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Rio de Janeiro. Mexico. The Italian isle of Capri. No that's not the itinerary for our upcoming holiday (we wish!), it's a look back at some of the past themes to have transformed Melbourne's most beloved floating bar and restaurant, Afloat.
And now – drumroll, please – we finally know which sunny destination will take over for the upcoming 2026/27 spring-summer season. It's time to smash a plate and down a shot of ouzo because the theme is ‘Yamas Greece’. That's right, it doesn't matter if you didn't make it to Milos for a Euro summer this year, because the bright colours, delicious flavours and lively spirit of the Greek Islands are coming to Melbourne.
Channelling the name from the famous Greek toast, which means “to our health”, we can expect the design elements to reflect the relaxed, coastal vibes of the sun-soaked islands. Think natural textures, terracotta and that iconic blue-and-white colour palette.
The drinks menu will spotlight a selection of Greek wines (mostly whites, rosés and medium-bodied aromatic reds), while the cocktails will feature a Hellenic twist. We're talking a Long Island Iced Tea made with Greek mountain tea or a ouzo frozen cola.
And if you've been craving a gyros just like the one you had in Mykonos in the summer of 2018, you're in luck – the menu is set to be loaded with everything from fresh seafood and grilled meets to meze, gyros and some yummy sweet treats.
“Our new menu dishes are inspired by travels and time spent working in Greece, drawing references from beach clubs, street vendors, tavernas and everything in between, ” said HQ group executive chef, Paul Dunlop. “We hope to make it feel familiar, a little exciting and very tasty to honour those classic Greek dining experiences.”
Excited? We bet you are. Afloat will be open for walk-ins from August 27. Bookings are now available from August 31 onwards, including for the Christmas Day banquets and New Year’s Eve party. For more information, head to the website
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