Atrium Bar, Crown

Editorial

Whilst I believed I hadn’t been to the Atrium Bar before, I actually had. It was actually one of (if not the first) place I was refused entry for being too, um, loutish. Now that I am all grown up and classy, I had no problems at all getting in – but if you’re a drunk seventeen year-old, I suggest a more lax establishment.

Part of my confusion stemmed from the concept of a ground-level ‘atrium’ bar in the bowels of Southbank’s monolithic Crown Casino. I thought an atrium, by definition, received natural light? Anyhoo, the Atrium Bar greets you at the northern-most entrance into the Crown complex. It’s an open, bright, high-ceilinged space complete with garish gold chandeliers. I came on a Friday after work to their version of happy hour, and many of the cocktails were only $8. Live music features here, with acoustic solo artists usually crooning away after seven.

The staff are extremely accommodating and respond well with basic human compassion (a rarity inside Crown). Asian finger food was provided to our party with a selection of spring rolls, dumplings and steamed buns that were the perfect greasy accompaniment to some of the sweeter cocktails like the Brandy Alexander and Fluffy Duck (all $8 but usually $14-17). A great spot for indulging in something fancy.

Meri Harli, February 2011