10 Bars And Restaurants Around Melbourne To Help You Celebrate Negroni Week

Did you know there’s a week entirely devoted to the delicious Negroni cocktail? Yes, this beloved drink, made from Campari, gin and vermouth, is celebrated every year for one week in September. Not only that, but profits from Negroni Week are given to charitable causes, so you can drink and give back to the world at the same time. Since starting in 2013, thousands of venues around the world have joined the cause, collectively raising over $3 million. Negroni Week, presented by Imbibe Magazine and Campari, runs from September 12 to September 18.

This year, the official charity partner of Negroni Week is Slow Food, a global organisation that champions cultural and biological diversity, promotes food education and advocates for more just and equitable food policies.

There’s at least 70 bars and restaurants participating in Melbourne alone. Here are some to get you started.

1. The Rooftop at QT Melbourne

Head up to this wonderful rooftop bar at QT Melbourne, and enjoy their bitter and twisted take on the Negroni. From the bitter to the botanical, the herbal to the floral, the sky’s the limit for creativity. Celebrate this delicious drink, not just during Negroni Week, but until September 30.

2. Arbory Bar & Eatery

Arbory is celebrating with three Negroni specials for the whole month of September. Try a Classic, a Bitter Sweet or a VS Negroni, from 11am till late. $1 from every Negroni sold this month will also be donated towards the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia.

See also: Arbory Afloat Is Taking Us To Ibiza And The Rest Of The Balearic Islands This Spring

3. Backroom and Lona Misa

Both Backroom bar and Lona Misa in Ovolo South Yarra are participating in Negroni Week. They’ve combined the Negroni with the Espresso Martini to create The Decadent Count, a specially curated cocktail garnished with Campari infused cacao nibs. $1 from every purchase will go towards Slow Food.

This special drink is available until September 18. Learn more here.

4. HER

Head to Her Bar on Lonsdale Street and try three special cocktails. There’s the Classic Negroni, a Damson, and Henriques Negroni, available for the month of September. For every Negroni sold, $1 will be donated to Breast Cancer Network Australia to help them continue supporting Australians affected by breast cancer.

5. The Emerald Peacock

This rooftop bar is offering three variations on the classic drink. There’s the Hibiscus Negroni, which includes hibiscus tea and salted caramel, the Pineapple Negroni, which is made with pineapple husk gin and coconut-infused Campari, and Panderoni, which includes a pandan infused cognac.

6. Valhalla

This Scandinavian underground bar on Collins Street is serving up the classic Negroni, as well as providing a couple of “Valhalla twists”.

7. Chin Chin

This beloved Melbourne restaurant is serving up Negroni specials with a signature Chin Chin twist. Try Ruby Slippers + I’m Melting this week only, from now until Sunday September 18.

8. Union Electric Bar & Rooftop Gin Garden

Union Electric on Heffernan Lane is not only raising money for Slow Food, but for The Lost Dogs’ Home as well. Grab a Negroni and think of the lost puppers!

9. Robata

This Japanese restaurant on Exhibition Street is taking part in Negroni Week for the first time ever. At Robata, you’ll enjoy the classic elements of the cocktail, paired with traditional Japanese ingredients, such as yuzu gin, red rice sake and Umeshu. These drinks are available until September 18.

More info here.

10. The Cloakroom Bar

Enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline while sipping on the Negroni specials at this Southbank bar. There will be classics to try, as well as their own take on the cocktail.

11 (Bonus!). Brogan’s Way

For more participating venues around Melbourne, click here.