Alia Bar
Editorial
Sometimes Melbourne nightlife takes you on mysterious journeys, and sometimes those journeys go very late into the night. That’s when it’s good to know of a late-night bar that will roll with you into the dawn. For nearly 11 years now, the ALIA Bar is one such destination for Fitzroyalty to hang out and dance to some seriously phat tunage.
ALIA is not huge inside but what space they do have, they’ve made great use of. Along one side is a long bar with latticework detail backlit by sumptuous blue light. Hovering above you is a gorgeous wooden ‘wave’ roof feature, creating a funky kind of retro 1960’s Mad Men ambience. Padded faux leather booths are handy for creating an intimate vibe with your mates, whilst the bar is a great place to meet someone new. The windows wrap around the room offering you a bird’s eye view onto the corner of Smith and Gertrude – the heart of Fitzroyalty bar culture.
The clientele is gay-friendly and made up of very young Uni students and other Gen-Y inner-city groovers. The night I went was a Saturday night and the bouncer at the door was having fun spotting fake IDs, apparently after years of experience he’s very good at it! Wednesday through to Friday nights attract a slightly older crowd, and the music has more of an inner-city vibe.
The alcohol selection on offer is nothing too complex; a good selection of local and imported beers, a standard wine list and some cocktail delights. To get your night kicking try a Milli Vanilli Cocktail with vodka, Galliano, vanilla essence, passionfruit puree and a dash of fresh lime. Simply mouth watering.
Meri Harli, Citysearch
User Feedback
Galatia Papa
December 07, 2010
i would like a quote and know if the venue has been booked for the 5th of Feb 2011.
Litsa
February 17, 2011
When's the best night to come, I'm gay so is there a night that's better for me to come.
BlackbirdDumpling
July 05, 2011
I used to be a regular at this bar until one night I lined up to be ID checked when the bouncer mistook me for someone else who had caused a lot of trouble there in the past. When I protested my innocence and asked to speak with the manager I was told to talk to the head bouncer about it when he also said he knew I was the person who caused so much trouble. After receiving as much humiliation as I could take I left and after attempting to email the owner my account of what happened to several different email addresses given to me I was finally assured that everything was fine about the situation and the next time I visited I would be able to get in. When I did go back I received abuse from the same bouncers that were there last time that I was assured from the owner had left. I've told everyone I know about this club and will never go back on a Thursday or any other night. Gay women should also be aware that security staff have made homophobic & sleazy comments in the past to friends.
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