Where else can you lounge around on white lawn chairs sat on fake grass indoors while being served martinis and cocktails by a staff dressed like workers from a posh American country club? Madame Brussels, one of the many hidden bars in Melbourne, offers all of this plus blankets to keep the winter chill out while you sit on the open air rooftop section. True to Melbourne's hidden bar culture Madame Brussels is a bit hard to find. On the top floor of a three story building there is a small sign at the entrance noting the bar; however, the doors make reference to a Chinese restaurant or club, making for confusion the first time we went. You can walk the three flights up...or you can take the lift.

It's not a big place, so it can get crowded. However, most nights that I've been there it has been full but not packed to the point where you can't move. The only mood lighting you will find is out on the deck, inside is brightly lit which accentuates the white pressed club outfits worn by the staff.

As for drinks, this isn't really a beer drinker’s venue. Cocktails and martinis have the right of way, as does the odd glass of vino. Jugs of cocktails for 2 will cost around $25, while a jug for 4 is around $45. We got a jug of the espresso martinis, which filled each of our glasses twice (and was extremely tasty!).

You won't break the bank coming here: most single cocktails average $16, which is pretty standard in Melbourne. However, it's the novelty of the bar that attracts the crowds. The view down onto Bourke and towards Spring Street is lovely in the street light glow at night, and the added comfort of fuzzy pastel blankets makes sharing that view with your friends possible. If you are in the area, this is definitely worth at least for one drink, if only to say you've been!