E Fifty Five Bar Review

Review By Sophie Lane

Melbourne's E55 is a venue designed to detail for (trashbag) bar hoppers such as myself. "How?" your comparitively sober self asks, "Well" my beer breath begins, "the beauty lies in the name". Before you exit the web browser at the hope of salvaging yourself from a line by line drink induced dialogue, you may want to continue reading. Although the name of a venue located at 55 Elizabeth Street being 'E55' really is the selling point for the directionally challenged like myself, those with a Navman will be glad to hear that there's an array of other reasons why E55 should your next hop, step and fall. You trashbag, you.

While the street number won't throw you off on your stumbles down the ever iconic Elizabeth Street, the entrance to one of Melbourne's best kept secrets probably will. E55 presents initially as a small door with minimal signage. The fact that the venue is located underground means that there are no windows of welcome surrounding the entrance. It may at first be off putting, but in the great words of Abba, "take a chance, take a chance, take a ch-ch-ch chance". Do as I say and I promise your fate will be more impressive than that of Bjorn.

Down a winding staircase, your next step will be onto a small amount of 70's inspired limo floor which guards the bar. There's no need to push through a crowd to bag your first beverage, you're aready there. A dreadlocked man checks your ID, and as you look around at the twenty-to-thirty something demographic, you realise that catching underages isn't a regular occurance for the saturday night staff.

"Lemon or lime?" he asks. "Whipped cream? All over my body?" I feel like answering. I choose lemon to go with my Corona as the bar babe compliments my choice with a wink. I wish I had answered with whipped cream. Delusional? Maybe. Intoxicated? Not yet. But it doesn't phase me. The aesthetics of the venue and average priced drinks, served by the equally aestheticly pleasing staff members, are enough to keep me high for the time being.

Take your choice of an array of mis-matched couches. If alcohol and cigarette breath weren't doing their best efforts to destroy your loungs I'm sure that the room would be smelling like a gherkin grilling Grandma. A 'home made pizza' board hangs above the left side of the bar. Sorry Grandma, I'll pass on the gherkins, something else has come up. The pizza's are cheap and quick, not the best in Melbourne, but I didn't come here for the food after all.

A trip to the toilets is exactly that. A trip. Don't feel that hellucinegenics or spiked drinks are at play when your busting bladder is met by the pair of unisex toilets. Although the idea never leaving your hand-holders side for the entire night (even on trips to the toot) seems enticing at first, remember that your dreamboat becomes a whole lot less sexy when you hear their sweet sounds of primal bodily functions. I won't bother mentioning the smell, let's just work with imagery for now.

After the one of a kind toiletry experience, an entrance back into the dimly lit, doily-couched dungeon reminds you that you're not alone. While the bar is slightly more full than five minutes prior, the venue never seems to be packed to the brim. Fortunately, it seems that E55's attempt to lure the directionally challenged to it's obvious named venue hasn't been their most successful marketing technique, and I couldn't be happier. I think I'll head back to the bar for another round of beer-ordering banter with the staff. This dime's a secret between you and me.




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A 2nd E Fifty Five Bar Review

Review By Verity Trott

A hop, step and a jump are all it takes to arrive at this luminous and snug bar. 30 seconds from Flinders Street Station, E Fifty-Five operates as a comfortable and chic internet cafe during the day however as dusk begins to settle, the venue undergoes a subtle transformation, morphing into a pacified and intriguing bar.

Abstract and progressive art works that are for sale decorate the deep, warm red of the walls. A homey feel is constructed by the arrangement of couches grouped together along with the complimentary wooden shelves, prosperously full with books and pot plants. Mismatched retro couches assist in establishing a chummy atmosphere and accompanied by the well-balanced levels of a mix between hip-hop, funk and industrial electro, conversation flourishes.

Early to late-20s recline in couches or line the bar embracing lively chatter. The occasional foreign accent is discernible throughout the predominate city slickers. Casual street style with a trace of artsy hipster is the prevailing attire of this incandescent basement lounge bar. A few computers are sheltered beneath the staircase and are cause for a diverse crowd of backpackers and locals.

A delicious fusion of fruit ciders combined with efficient and upbeat staff, despite average prices contributes to an exceedingly easygoing experience. Although the bar itself is quite small, lining one side of the rather intimate room, there is hardly a delay to get one's drink on. However it is best to maintain caution when approaching the unisex toilets, as they are not always the most pristine of thrones.

As the night proceeds, the lights subtly dim and the steady beats progressively adapt to funkier tunes. Open every night 'til late, this venue offers as a great segue between clubs as well as alternatively providing its own DJs for a more tranquil night of entertainment. Maintaining a comfortable, homey and friendly atmosphere E Fifty Five is the ideal refuge if one simply wants to have a relaxed catch up and bask in the welcoming and eclectic ambience of the bar.

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