Melbourne’s beloved floating bar and restaurant, Afloat, has come out of hibernation and evolved into a magical Italian beach club. Back for its ninth year, this seasonal venue has whisked us away to sun-drenched destinations in the past, from the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain to sun-kissed Mexico. This time, the venue has transformed into Afloat Capri, inspired by the idyllic Italian island. It’s now open daily from 11am until late for both bookings and walk-ins.
Afloat Capri
The floating venue has a brand new look, as well as a new food and beverage menu, music and entertainment program. Everything is infused with Italian coastal character. Grab a spritz or a pizza and dine underneath striped umbrellas, surrounded by lemon trees and sorbet-coloured walls.
“The charm of Capri lies in its duality,” said Emily Jamieson, interior designer for Afloat. “It’s glamourous but also imbued with rustic charm, it’s spirited but relaxed. We’ve embodied this sense of la dolce vita throughout the entire venue and from the moment you step onboard, you’ll be transported to the idyllic, cliff-laden island off the Gulf of Naples.”
In the coming weeks, the Aperol Pool Bar & Deck will open for swimming, along with the venue’s second storey.
As for entertainment, enjoy a daily line-up of DJs, playing from midday until late. Or, keep an eye online for ticketed events, such as Afloat’s New Year’s Eve celebration or Pizza Making Classes.
Food and drink
Explore an extensive cocktail menu that’s designed for all-day drinking. There’s about 25 cocktails to try that are citrus and aperitif driven. Feel refreshed with one of six bright drinks from the dedicated spritz section. Opt for Aperol, Limoncello, Pink Gin, Elderflower, Montenegro or Berry, while relaxing in the sun.
Otherwise, there’s plenty of other signature drinks, including a Tiramisu Negroni and a frozen Lemon Basis Smash. Keep it cool with some Pidapipó gelato-based cocktails, including two boozy ice cream floats. If wine is your drink of choice, you’ll also find a list of both local and imported Italian wines.
Pair your drink with classic and shareable Italian dishes. Feast on Neapolitan pizza made with 48-hour fermented dough, or go for the smaller rectangular pizzette, made from a focaccia dough base. There’s also plenty of pasta to try, with classic flavours like gnocchi pomodoro, as well as more unique offerings like Casarecce Vodka Amatriciana.
You can also graze on an extensive antipasti selection, alongside plenty of seafood and a rotating line-up of panini. Satisfy your sweet tooth with sorbet filled lemons and a boozy espresso martini tiramisu.
Find out more information via their website.