Bars and Nightclubs
Melbourne CBD, Melbourne

Strange Wolf Basement Bar

71 Strachan Lane, Melbourne, VIC
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Located on Strachan Lane (off Exhibition Street), this demure yet classy bar / restaurant joins a throng of Melbourne venues tucked away ever so subtly in easily overlooked locales. That it’s a basement bar only serves to make it even more obscured. If Strange Wolf reinforces anything, it’s a notion that places most hidden often are the best.

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Strange Wolf Basement Bar Review

Review by Mat Farmakis

Walking down some stairs through a nondescript entrance, it becomes immediately apparent that you’re in a basement bar. Seeing feet tiptoeing along the Exhibition Street footpath through a small amount of window further emphasises this. Inside, the unsurprisingly grungy Strange Wolf is occupied by a diverse, post-work crowd of twenty-somethings and over-fifties alike. It’s a pleasant crowd. Clearly, an equally pleasant night awaits.

Fittingly, the bar’s decor is a similar mixed-bag. The old, seemingly untouched white walls on the Exhibition Street side are typical of a run-down inner-city building. Contrastingly, the rest of the venue is contemporary in appearance, with charcoal walls boasting what appears to be a Strange Wolf logo. When you consider the timber cubes covering the ceiling and the (probably wolf-related) features attached to it, it’s no surprise to learn that Strange Wolf won The Age’s Good Bar Guide ‘Bar Design of the Year’ award for 2012. The design is, quite simply, an artistically minimalist triumph. As for comfort, a plethora of couches line the walls, while the small tables adjoining the concrete pylons are especially ideal for those eating.

The music here varies – this particular Thursday night was hip-hop skewed, though with diversity that pleasingly included R&B; and soul. The previous Thursday saw up-and-coming DJ duo Canyons spin their more club-leaning material, so what you hear may depend on the night. Regardless, those in charge seem to exhibit discerning taste.

Be it lunch, dinner or a late-night bite you seek, rest assured that your hunger will be satisfied at Strange Wolf, as they specialise in burgers. Good burgers, too. The Wolf is the signature offering, oozing quality and flavour with its super-thick beef patty, fresh tomato & lettuce, pickles, caramelised onion and mozzarella. At $12 and with a side of fries, it represents good value, too. It’s the kind of burger after which you’ll feel full, yet still fine. A big tick all-round. As for other options, there’s the Mongrel Deluxe (with wagyu and bacon), the Golem (with barramundi), and the Shroom (for all you vegetarians). The menu is limited, yet focused, clearly hell-bent on delivering quality and nothing less.

As for beverages, a blackboard featuring beer recommendations is a nice touch. Beers appeared a popular choice amongst patrons, as did the wine options. You can often tell how seriously a bar takes cocktails by the uniqueness of combinations. With options such as the “First Howl”, “Full Moon Rising” – fitting in with the venue’s wolf theme - and “On the Road to God Knows Where”, an interesting drinking experience no doubt awaits. Cocktails are on the slightly pricey side – all between $17 and $19. Yours truly opted for a refreshing mojito.

Having opened its doors in November 2011, Strange Wolf is a welcome addition to the myriad of venues catering to those who seek equally sophisticated and low-key nightlife, with a balanced emphasis on both dining and drinking. It’s the perfect spot for a date, post-work gathering or simply a no-fuss night out with friends.

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