Meagan Patroni

Absinthe: for many the word conjures long supressed memories of turning 18 and acquiring a steaming, aniseed-flavoured hangover. But it’s entirely likely you’ve been duped into thinking you were drinking absinthe, but were in fact imbibing a cheap knock off. Never mind, soon you can experience the real absinthe when popular Sydney absinthe den, Absinthesalon expands to Melbourne in December. When Gaye Valttila and Joop van Heusden opened the original Absinthesalon in Sydney in 2009 they were told it would never work, but it has stood the test of time and now it’s opening in Fitzroy so that more Australians can discover the herbal aperitif beloved by van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec.  The Sydney edition, which is a 30-seater baroque-style bar, has been serving only absinthe for seven years and is known for its strict three drink limit. Absinthesalon Melbourne will hold fast to the same rule, but twice the number of curious souls will be able to partake in the green spirit traditions, hailing from the 1700s, at the contemporary 70-seat Melbourne venue. Interior architect Rebecca Lombardo and her builder husband Vince Marino are responsible for Absinthesalon’s southern migration, and they’ve painted the history of absinthe on the floors, ceiling and walls of the bar. A cast of actors, performers and artists are employed to guide guests through the ritual of absinthe drinking, choosing from the 30 varieties of French, Swiss and even Australian made absinthe on the menu, and then pre