What To Expect @ General Store And Co

Review By Jessica Crisp

With new bars constantly springing up, a truly unique concept is essential for them to stand out from the rest. The recently launched General Store & Co is redefining the bar scene in Melbourne, which is no mean feat in a city where the unusual is the norm. The simple tagline ‘Goods, Grog, Grocery’ belies the ambitious and exciting plans for this four-month-old newcomer.

Walking up the silent Queen Street late on a Saturday night, one wonders whether people will venture this far from the bustling CBD. But upon turning onto Franklin Street, life immediately streams from the one open bar on the street: General Store & Co. If there’s one thing to know about Melbourne, it’s that some of the best watering holes are hard to find, out of the way or spring up on us unexpectedly.

Befitting the name, entering the bar is reminiscent of strolling into a 1920s American mom and pop store. Boxes of cereal, tins of tomatoes and jars of sauce deck the walls, while cushioned crates serve as seats and old coffee machines make perfect tables. Everywhere you turn, something quirky and completely random sparks a smile and conversation, from the wall-mounted shopping trolley serving as a glass rack to the old car seats swinging from the ceiling.

But what will put the biggest smile on your face is the amount of money left in your wallet at the end of the night. Recommended cocktails Espresso Martini and Cinnamon Vodka Mule are a snip at just $5, as is the beer, while a glass of Sangria will set you back a whole $3. And there’s no catch.

The easy-going vibe attracts a laidback crowd, where people chat while balancing on crates and mill around in the courtyard under the watchful eye of the Statue of Liberty. Made from plastic crates, this giant structure will become home to all the garnishes used in the cocktails.

Be sure to visit on a Saturday when the ‘Italian chef’ breaks out his barbie and cooks up tasty hotdogs just as stomachs start to rumble. Topped with delicious homemade sauces (no, he doesn’t reveal the recipe), you’ll be sneaking back for more.

Yet, the most exciting aspects are still in the pipeline. While the bar is already a great space to drink away the evening, there are plans afoot to make this place even more eclectic. The empty room above will become a cocktail bar where tipples are served through old post boxes. A pop up bar out the back will house various retail collaborations. Currently, the bar is in negotiations with leading brands to sell limited edition street wear. Function rooms reached through a pantry will double as an art gallery, and should the mood take you, you can grab a haircut and a beer for a tenner in the barbershop overlooking the courtyard. This is more than just a bar, it’s a social space where discovering a new room will open up a whole new evening of opportunities.

In the main bar, empty shelves will stock retro goods, much like those found in the funky Urban Attitude and the fuel pumps, which sit at the end of the bar, will soon be pumping beer. And it is certain things won’t end there. Recently, a break dance competition fuelled by Ghetto blasters took place, while competitions on Facebook can see you winning a drink tab, as if they weren’t already a steal. It’s even open during the day, doubling as a café.

The General Store and Co may not yet be the finished article, and it’s unlikely it ever will be with pop-up bars and ever changing retail collaborations. But that’s the beauty of the place; it’s constantly being refreshed, thereby never becoming tired. The owner says all they want to be is different and fun, and that is certainly what they have achieved.

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