The team behind the iconic Arbory Afloat have delivered a vertical, culinary paradise in the heart of Melbourne. The Federation building has been transformed into a stunning venue with four cool concepts. Start at the French-inspired bar on the ground floor, feast on Thai-style BBQ at BKK, enjoy a curated selection of tunes in the Music Room, and sip an aperitif under the stars on the rooftop. All four spaces in this multi-level wonderland are finally open today. Are you ready to discover HER?
HER BAR
Start your journey on the ground floor at HER BAR. Enjoy a French-inspired menu and classic cocktails, and an eclectic wine selection. There are citrus-focused gins, decadent house cocktails, and timeless wines from producers that care for the land and the world around them.
Meanwhile, the French-inspired menu is designed to be fun, accessible and modern. Think house-made Canelé for breakfast, a fun cheeseburger with Raclette Cheese for lunch, and flank steak tartare with anchovy mayonnaise and chips for dinner. Everything, from the sourdough to the butter, is house-made, or comes from seasonal produce. The menu is perfect for snacking, sharing, or settling in for the long haul, at any time of day.
Nestle inside this amber-lit room, under a woven rattan ceiling as you catch up with friends. The bar space seats 80 people, and has room for another 30 people standing.
HER BAR is open 7 days a week, from 7am to 3am.
MUSIC ROOM
If you love sound, you’ll love the MUSIC ROOM. Located on Level 1, this is the place to lounge around, sip a selection of spirits, and listen to DJs move through a curated vinyl collection. Inspired by the listening bars of Japan and Europe, there are 3000 records in the HER library for you to listen to.
“MUSIC ROOM will present an array of selectors every evening of the week,” said JNETT, HER Music Director. Expect energetic newcomers and collectors that have devoted a lifetime to music.
With such a vast range of records, there will be rare grooves and interesting genres to discover. There will be disco nights, touring DJ performances, Russian Roulette Vinyl parties and more.
As for drinks, the cocktails in MUSIC ROOM will provide the perfect speakeasy vibes. Think Bloody Orange Cosmopolitans and whisky, served neat on the rocks.
There’s also a bubbly wine list, showcasing exciting Australian sparkling and lesser known Champagnes, Prosseco and Lambrusco.
MUSIC ROOM is open 7 days a week, from 4pm to 3am.
BKK
BKK is a Thai BBQ canteen, serving Bangkok-inspired street food on level 3. Savour delicious barbecue skewers, charred meats, laab, curries and more.
The intimate tables are set around a fiery, open-concept kitchen, and everything is cooked over coal or fire, on a custom-built five-metre charcoal grill and oven.
“The food at BKK is our take on the street food of Thailand, using the best Australian produce,” said Nick Bennett, HQ Group Executive Chef. “Inspired by the late-night vendors of Bangkok, custom charcoal-burning grills and wok burners lace smoky notes into the dishes. Some with unapologetic sourness or bold spiciness, some are our take on classics – from north to south – and some modern riffs that pay respect to the vibrant flavours and keen balance of Thai cooking.”
Pair your meal with some tropical cocktails, like Dragon Fruit Mojitos, or a dramatic Thai Welcome cocktail that changes colour from blue to pink.
There are also 15 wines to choose from, all carefully chosen to match the food.
BKK is open on Level 3. Find it open 7 days a week, from 11:30am to 1am.
HER ROOFTOP
Finally, there’s the rooftop. This relaxed garden terrace channels old-world glamour, with European-inspired interiors and plenty of cocktails to choose from. The focus is on gin and tequila, in fruity and floral flavours, as well as aperitivos, digestifs and a range of beers. Of course, there is also wine.
This rooftop comfortably fits 120 people, and is the perfect place to meet friends and sip the night away.
If you’re hungry, the rooftop has its own menu from the BKK Kitchen. Designed to complement the drinks, the menu features fun items like BKK Fried Chicken Cart Sandwich, a selection of laab, Southern Rice Salad and Thai Frieds.
“HER ROOFTOP could be a gorgeous terrace in Europe, miles away, yet it’s in the heart of Melbourne,” said Matt Thomas, General Manager of HER. “We want to transport guests, in our playful European-inspired interiors, whether it be over a cocktail, lunch or sunset session.”
Find HER Rooftop on Level 4, from 11:30am to 1am, 7 days a week.
HER is now open, opposite Emporium, on 270 Lonsdale Street.
For more information about HER, see their website.