What To Expect @ Shebeen

Review By Sneha Biswas

Shebeen, a not-for-profit bar located in Melbourne’s Manchester Lane, makes a difference to the developing world by paying out profits from the sale of each drink that goes towards that drink’s native country. 100% of the profits are donated to uplift the disadvantaged youth of countries like Cambodia, Kenya and Laos and to better their economy.

The drinks, cocktails and food on the menu are inspired by the eleven developing countries that Shebeen supports through its initiative. A dingy, dimly lit bar off the main Flinders Street sees an eclectic mix of people from all walks of life that are welcome to treat themselves to a wide variety of food and beverages. The bar has seating arrangements outside in the open space facing the front. On the board are put up interesting food options like sliders and the very irresistible Bahn Mi rolls daily for their guests.

You will also find a DJ playing up some popular, upbeat numbers as the conversations get more engaging across tables. Pisco Sour, Tequila Espresso Martini and Jalapeno Margarita are few of the cocktails which are extremely liked and shockingly cheap.

The not-for-profit bar sees university pass outs with a quirky sense of style turning up for discussions over Shabeena Colada cocktails. Every element of the bar screams out loud with a zesty mix of cultures embodied through the various motifs and designs. Even the oil painted wall tells a tale of ethnicity. The bar’s name Shebeen is inspired from South African roots which run deep. Starting this bar in Melbourne was an idea originated by two university buddies Simon Griffiths and Zanna McComish who spent time doing volunteering work in South Africa and were blown away by the numerous street bars they had been to. They so fell in love with the African nightlife and their idea of fun that they hired Sharon Custers who himself was a South African as the venue manager of this place. Alongside him works Simon Griffiths, the co-director and the brains behind this noble endeavour who used up his initial years working on support projects founded on makeshift housing. You can feel the sheer passion and knowledge of these staff members who can’t seem to stop talking about these charity organisations that supports Shebeen’s noble endeavour.

Additionally, they are quite friendly and exude an enthusiasm quite rarely seen in other bars and nightclubs. Have fun at midnight or even after as Shebeen opens early and closes late! Contact the Shebeen staff for help and advice to throw events and parties. Shebeen’s very first donation was in the end of June 2013, and accumulated $12,878 from the first four and a half months of trade that it did. Currently that is being divided between the beneficiary partners who opened this place and will also provide a report as to where the donation lands up in the coming few weeks.

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