Bars and Nightclubs
Melbourne North, Melbourne

Prudence Bar

368 Victoria St, North Melbourne, VIC
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Set in what once must have been a house, the rest of the establishment extends out the back from the front bar, into a beer garden that is a clutter of charming mis-matched hard-rubbish sourced tables, chairs and benches. The beer garden closes annoyingly early, but there are been times in my attendance at Prudence that the young, hip and slightly jaded staff have re-opened it again simply to better manage the flow of people in through the door.

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Prudence Bar Photos

Prudence Bar Review


Review By Monique Miller

Walk past the floor-to ceiling black framed bay windows when it’s closed and you would assume much of what lay within.

Take another walk past of an evening and you’ll be greeted by the sippers of a days final coffee, or the first beer sitting at the benches looking out into the street through fully-opened windows. Prudence’s daily opening is always signalled by the appearance of a smattering of bicycles locked to the few available poles, patrons standing in the doorway, and others crowding the bar just inside.

The downstairs area is organised, punctuated by lamps and wood panelling. The bar itself is small for the amount of patrons that cram in to the building. The decor is shabby-chic; vintage posters and photos, as well as trinkets from what looks like hundreds of trips to south east Asia. Books, maps and carved wooden figures jostle for spare amongst the wine glasses and containers of limes and lemons.

Set in what once must have been a house, the rest of the establishment extends out the back from the front bar, into a beer garden that is a clutter of charming mis-matched hard-rubbish sourced tables, chairs and benches. The beer garden closes annoyingly early, but there are been times in my attendance at Prudence that the young, hip and slightly jaded staff have re-opened it again simply to better manage the flow of people in through the door.

There is also a magic second floor, which is accessible up a steep flight of stairs. The decor extends to this level, as do the eclectic table choices of the garden, set nicely with intimate and cliquey booth seating. The tables can be reserved for special occasions, which is a great idea – to happen upon a free one by chance is a rare occasion. Due to a loophole in the indoor-smoking ban, you can actually smoke upstairs inside, which is great and novel if you are a smoker, but if you’re not, it harks back to the bad old pre-2007 days.

Drinks are a little pricy in Prudence, but you are paying for the privilege of being there. The vibe is ecstatic every night of the week, and the crowds that come and go are an interesting mix of middle-aged business types, hipsters, uni students and locals. Plus, they do have perennial favourites Coopers Pale Ale and Bulmers Cider on tap (all be it for $9 a pint). Tempering this though are their rotating chalk board of specials, including tonight, a very well mixed Mojito for $8.50. You can also get jugs of choice tipples such as Pimms punch, and Agwa, Vodka, mint, guava and apple.

The bar is open seven days a week, 4pm-1am, catering for all types. Prudence offers a great way to start off a night, or to cap off a day in the city.

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