| Commercial
Club Hotel, 344 Fitzroy Street, Brunswick, Melbourne. |
| This
review of the Commercial Club Hotel is the first of what we hope will be a
semi-regular series covering eateries, pubs, bars etc that strive to
enhance the customer experience - be it great service, great atmosphere,
great food and drink or a combination of all three. The Commercial
Club certainly succeeds on all counts. It's amazing what a bit of
creativity and passion can achieve when it comes to renovating (see the
pics), whilst the beers on tap are not compromised by corporate alliances,
and offer a few beers not normally seen at the bar. |
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Originally a stable, this photo doesn't do justice to what has been
created just beside the beer garden - the four stables with their high
ceilings and bluestone facade have been transformed into separate alcoves.
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The
Commercial Club was established by 4 friends 6 months ago after a year
long search for a suitable premise. Owners Doug, Matt, Andy and Tom
love the place so much they even live upstairs. With no building
expertise the guys managed turn every single nook and cranny into unique
'drinking dens' in the space of only three and a half weeks. The pub
ethos rests heavily on the notion of independence - no overt
Toohey's or CUB presence here. Clearly these boys are here for the
long haul. As Doug explained, the Commercial Club is all about
creating a traditional pub experience, one where people can expect a
friendly greeting from the barman and simply while away the hours engaging
in the old fashion art of conversation. Very refreshing! |
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Beer
Highlights (Served in glasses and schooners): |
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Wine List
Highlights (Obscenely well priced BTW): |
Mountain
Goat Hi Tail
Holgate White Ale
Coopers Sparkling Ale (Long Neck) |
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The Gorge Chardonnay
Yarra Vale Riesling (1991)
Delatite Deadmans Gewurztraminer
Henschke Keyneton Estate
D'arenberg Foot Bolt Shiraz
Tollarna TR 222 Cabernet Sauvignon
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