When Frank van Haandel finds a gap in the market, you’re fairly guaranteed this Melbourne hospitality guru will fill it. Feeling the area around the van Haandel Group’s hugely successful Stokehouse City was missing a more casual drinks and dining hotspot, the group have re-launched its downstairs offering with the opening of [Stoke] Bar + Kitchen. The new venue aims to offer a relaxed bar and eating experience catering for a casual drink, a few nibbles or even a more substantial meal.
The downstairs bar (of Stokehouse City) it really didn’t have its own identity, so we have launched a whole new separate venue with its very own personality, look and offering,” said Frank when we asked him about the new venture. “We want [Stoke] Bar + Kitchen to be somewhere where you can pop by to have a quick drink with a friend or stay around for a more substantial casual meal, any time of the day,” he added.
The bar offers a selection of wines that start from $8 a glass from Shadowfax and Michael Hall, and an emphasis on craft beers including Furphy, a Kosch style refreshing ale and stocked at [Stoke] Bar + Kitchen exclusively, as well Little Creatures stout offering, “Return Of The Dread”.
The food menu has been designed by [Stoke] Bar + Kitchen head chef Sam Webb, working in consultation with Stokehouse City Executive chef Ollie Gould, and is to be enjoyed with a drink from the bar at any time of the day. The team will host Happy Hour each week night from 4.30pm-6pm with wine and beer from $6-7 which includes Pizzini Prosecco, Quealy Pinot Grigio, Paxton Shiraz and Moretti Beer, or $10 for an Aperol Spritz.
The look and feel of [Stoke] Bar + Kitchen has been created by designer Rabindra Naidoo who specialises in retail, hospitality, and graphic identity and has worked on venues including Journal, Self Preservation, Pidapipo and Neapoli.
Parquet floor was striped back to expose natural timber, and graphic borders at the wall and floor junctions were added to highlight the parquet herringbone pattern and bring a vivid sharpness to the space.
[Stoke] Bar + Kitchen is open from 11am for coffee or 12pm onwards for drinks and food, so be it popping in for a quick drink and lunch, drink after work, or casual dinner, it has you covered.
[Stoke] Bar + Kitchen
7 Alfred Place, Melbourne