Reviews Black Pearl Bar

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Michelle Grigoriadis
+5
Staff were wonderful , the place is beautiful. Had 2 south side cocktails that went down a treat šŸ˜Š
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Kate Hatton
+5
Thanks so much to the whole crew at Black Pearl. Had a couple of drinks Friday night and the staff were so accommodating, to the point we were even given several suggestions on where to go for dinner. Came back Saturday night to a full bar and enjoyed some amazing cocktails. Shout out to Will for looking after us Saturday, daiquiris were spot on ļæ½. Will definitely be going back next time I'm in Melbourne.
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Brett Wharton
+5
My girlfriend and I tasted their world famous drink: the Death Flip. It delivered on expectations for both of us. The bartender was also generous enough to refer us to another fantastic bar in the neighborhood: Everleigh. Hit up both bars when you're in Melbourne!
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Courdoroy Jones
+5
Maintains the hard to tread line of being absolutely fantastic at what they do without being up their own ass about it. Banging drinks and shit hot booze knowledge. Much Likey.
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Sammy Garfield
+5
Awesome place, great vibe, great staff and amazing drinks. Definitely going back :)
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Sanna Nilsson
+5
Exceptional customer service. I ordered a drink and didn't like it, but tried to drink it anyway and finished almost half. My friend asked the waitress if I could get another drink as I didn't like mine. The waitress asked what I preferred and two mins later I received a new drink - it was delicious. Thank you! The atmosphere is great and the music isn't too loud.
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Damage Beartribe
+5
great cocktails! everyone should give it a go at some point!
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Kat Jade Robinson
+5
Always fantastic and delightful service. The boys are the best in the business
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Campbell Nicol
+5
relaxed, great drinks & nothing pretentious. excellent neighbourhood bar.
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Martine Baboin
+5
Very friendly atmosphere. Love the boys behind the bar. Cocktails are very good and I am from Sydney but cannot wait to go back. Thank you. ļæ½
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John Liu
+5
I come here a lot from Vegas baby because I love to bring friends here to have the experience of a classy bar. The guys take pride in delivering their fantastic drinks and giving a WoW experience to us all the time.
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Gary Stevanov
+5
Rocked up at midnight in my cricket gear after winning a semi...no probs. Mingled with locals, got their world famous Expresso Martinis and saw a few Old Fashioneds being consumed...been here a few times...always feels like the first time.
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Ennis
+4
Went there with my friend.
The cocktails are all good, the one with watermelon was my favourite. (I just forgot its name, but it should be a number in its namešŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø)
The sausage roll taste marvelous and goes well with cocktails. The guacamole is also fantastic with a pinch of heat.
Cocktails and snacks are all good.
Mar 29, 2019
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Trevor Johnston
+4
[Rated 4.5] Black Pearlā€™s reputation proceeds it ā€“ the best bar in Australasia last year and number 22 in the world, itā€™s a bit crazy it has taken me this long to get there.Ā 

I had literally the best Old Fashioned I have ever had in the downstairs bar, which even during the day has a dark and moody vibe. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Iā€™ll be back for sure to check out the upstairs bar (and have another Old Fashioned, of course).
Dec 12, 2018
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Kim S
+5
The cocktails served upstairs at The Attic are to die for! The bar staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly and regardless of whatā€™s available on the menu, you can give them one ingredient and they create magic with it. The ā€˜Thomson & Thomsonā€™ gin base cocktail is without a doubt the best cocktail I have ever had.
Mar 03, 2018
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Nic D
+4
What a wonderful find. Walk straight upstairs for table service but first, you must ring the doorbell to enter. Dim lighting to enhance the wooden surrounds, comfortable seating and knowledgeable bar staff make this a perfect stop for pre dinner drinks.
Feb 03, 2018
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KnowingMelbourne
+4.5
One of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne for sure. They have a signature cocktail list but will make pretty much anything you like. The Attic upstairs has such a cool atmosphere, it kind of feels like youā€™re in a hidden bar in New York City. Service is impeccable too. I highly recommend!
Dec 28, 2017
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Kristen Duff
+5
You know, sometimes you just meet a bar and everything clicks. This is how I feel about Black Pearl. It was here I met and fell madly in love with with Shiraz gin (and the cocktail jockey who served it to me). Pretty sure they thought I was gonna do a runner best they charged billed me right away for my glorious negroni. This place also featured on my recent espresso martini binge in Melbourne. 10 stars for the bar, 10 stars for the negroni, 9 out of 10 for the espresso martini because these legends have it on nitro tap.
Aug 11, 2017
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Tan
+3.5
I came to this bar because of the list of 'World's best 50 bars'. I ordered a special cocktail but it tasted too plain. The alcohol was too light and it tasted like plain juice.
Jul 13, 2017
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Simmyeats.Melb
+4
A great spot for pre-drinks, drinks, catch ups or even taking that special someone on a date lol Cool little cosy bar with a funky upstairs bar that you don't even really know is there. Ā You need to ring a door bell to enter the upstairs bar and you can only be let in once someone opens the door. Ā Seats are quite limited downstairs as it is quite small but if you do manage to get a seat then high 5 to you because it is a nice place to just chill and relax.
Jul 08, 2017
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Marita Park
+5
Great little bar on busy Brunswick st, I had a group of friends so was able to book an area easily. The staff were super helpful and friendly, drinks great and atmosphere was cool and chill. The best place to spend a birthday with some friends.
Jul 01, 2017
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IsFoodIsGood
+4
Great cocktails. Great friendly service. An intimate little bar upstairs and private.
It's great that you need to ring the bell to gain access to avoid the place being too overcrowded.
Lovely range of cocktails and drinks and very educated staff to match.
Mar 25, 2017
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Oni San
+4.5
How the hell do you review cocktail bars? The central idea behind them is to drink fizzy, fruity, silky, sour and tart concoctions until you can no longer feel your nose, let alone pronounce the words 'libation' or 'diyonisian'. The sheer variety of liquor combinations waiting to be sampled is off putting enough, let alone the luxuriance of the man-behind-the-counter's beard.

And so it was that, fuelled by a few Gin Blossoms, my vegetarian and I skulked into Black Pearl on Brunswick Street in the early hours of Saturday Evening.

The bar was crowded, but not claustrophobic, and the music was laid back and chilled. We discovered the upstairs table service bar, the Attic, and then made our way there for some relaxation. The bartenders really knew their trade, and even when I asked them to make me something that tasted like a drunken Lions Christmas Cake, they obliged.

As it turns out, they excelled. Nothing was too much trouble, and the drinks were superb. The only downside was the cheese plate we had while sipping our cocktails. If you can perform mixology on this level, then providing nibbles that are not sourced from the local Coles supermarket must be possible.

Otherwise, superb.
Nov 12, 2016
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Clarko
+3.5
Cute bar with fancy (read expensive) cocktails. But no more expensive than other cocktail venues in Melbourne. I would give it a four but it's really hard to get a seat because the venue is tiny. Maybe more of a mid-week place for a drink?
Aug 11, 2016
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Jaymie
+4.5
Great vibe in a happening part of Melbourne. Bar staff are helpful and generous with advice. Love the layout inside. There's also space upstairs which is good to know when the place gets packed out. Always sure to get avoid drink here šŸ‘ŒšŸ»
Jul 21, 2016
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Bianca Roberts
+4
Extensive and informative cocktail list (in the form of playing cards!) and super friendly staff makes having a drink here great fun. I tried the Chrysanthemum cocktail; definitely try this if you love a strong anise flavour.
Feb 22, 2016
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Ed
+5
What can I say. This joint has been going since the early 2000. The guys here know how to make some serious beverages. Recent refit refreshingly spruiked the joint up but retained the old school Pearl. No wonder these guys got voted top 10 bars in the world. Doing Melbourne proud
Feb 11, 2016
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Hannah Budge
+4
We had a few gins here on Sunday night after black cat closed, and it was fantastic! Super packed, sweet vibe, efficient and friendly bartenders, comfy seats. This isn't relevant to the venue, but the dudes playing makeshift drums out the front were spot on, and the little dance party that ensued was so fun.
Dec 07, 2015
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Onara
+5
Large and interesting cocktail menu, one of the best in town. Comfy seating, good music, cool atmosphere. No gimmicks. Just a great lounge bar
Dec 07, 2015
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Ali El Ali
+5
The crew here is EPIC! These cocktails and attention to detail make for an awesome venue to chill and enjoy a good conversation. I do advise patience when ordering cocktails, as some things take a lot more love concoct at this beautiful establishment.
Dec 02, 2015
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George
+5
From perth and heard about the place being a bar tender over there
Place is all what it lives up to be plus more!
My cocktail was on point and up stairs in the attic they had amazing duck nachos and my favourite absinthe
Me and my girlfriend had a perfect time
Nov 27, 2015
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Victor Reid
+3.5
Not the place to visit if you're after a cheap beer on tap. To be fair, they do specialise in cocktails and do it very well. Nice music makes for a great little bar.
Nov 27, 2015
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Roshanaksamadirad
+4
Great atmosphere, luxury and unique drinks, I did not eat at this place but certainly would be a great experience, for all tastes and recommend it.
Nov 10, 2015
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Simrata Anand
+4
I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars. So true about this place.. The ambiance, music and the drinks are an amazing experience here.. Make sure to go there after dark for the best experience..
Nov 05, 2015
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World In A Bite
+4
Love this place! The music (Jazz, swing), the vibe and decors... Cosy ...Cocktails are great here... The staffs were attentivešŸŒ¹.
Aug 29, 2015
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Darn Small
+4.5
We got really lucky with the Black Pearl.

We arrived a little too early and little eager to start exploring the epic Melbourne bar scene...seriously donā€™t know whatā€™s wrong with a breakfast whisky at 10am?

Jokes...think it was 4 in the arvo and there was a big ladder just inside the main entrance. Turns out they were literally just finishing off some renovations and hadnā€™t been open for several months. Our timing couldnā€™t have been better, unless we had rocked up half an hour later.

Fitzroy has instantly become one of my favourite places in Australia thanks to places like this. We walked less than 2 minutes down the road to have a go at The Rum Diary Bar, and then popped back to Black Pearl just as they cleaned up and opened for the evening. Again same old boring story in Melbourne, the bar looks gorgeous, the place looks gorgeous, the cats behind the bar were very friendly, and super quick service. Yet they obviously werenā€™t skimping on quality, because this is one of the best Rob Royā€™s Iā€™ve ever had. The Black Pearl will stick out in my mind for many years to comes as a place I need to go back to. Unfortunately we didnā€™t get a lot of time here, we were in a rush to make dinner, down at Belleā€™s. I loved how when we mentioned this the cat behind the bar gave Belleā€™s the seal of approval. Itā€™s really cool when you can get good recommendations, advice and confirmation on eating/drinking from what could possibly be the competition.

Iā€™ve got no idea what the Black Pearl looked like before, I imagine itā€™s always been epic? It looks amazing now too.

I love how close all these awesome places are in Fitzroy, makes for an easy bar crawl.
Aug 29, 2015
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Two Bears And A Fork
+4
As far as cocktails go, we're no experts. But given these guys were voted The Best Cocktail Bar IN THE WORLD not long ago AND the volume of people in the front bar when we walked in, it must be true!

Our group settled into one of the booth-lined wall spots and other than one of the party getting a peet-ish (?) Scotch Whisky, I have no idea what the other drinks were! One was very lemony, the other very lime-y then an out-of-left-field creamy mixture in a mug. Everyone seemed to enjoy their drinks, but I must be honest, cocktails aren't The Two Bears's thang!

One last note - The Attic bar upstairs - in our opinion, is ten times better than the ground floor bar in terms of ambience and chillaxation. Downstairs = more pumpin. Upstairs = more chilled. Cocktails are appx $20 no matter which level you're on.

So if cocktails make you do a happy dance - then based on what we experienced, I highly suggest you get your swash buckles on and head to The Black Pearl, aarrrgh, matey (sorry, just had to do it!)
Aug 15, 2015
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Bargirl
+4.5
Had a great time in the attic the other night, staff are really friendly and knowledgeable and the drinks were great. Downstairs can get a little crazy, but the same can be said of any successful bar! The renovations looks fantastic, great job guys.
Aug 13, 2015
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Gastrology
+3.5
WORLD CLASS DRINKING launched its highly anticipated pop-up of New York speakeasy Please Donā€™t Tell (PDT) in Melbourne on Thursday night. The cooler than cool collaboration sees the World Class team behind Melbourneā€™s Black Pearl bar play host to the dynamic duo behind the lauded New York bar.
Aug 07, 2015
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Maximilian
+4
I love this bunker! Staff is amazing and very friendly, place to go if you have friends to visit! Cocktails are great too. It is listed has one of the world's best bars
Jun 29, 2015
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The City Lane
+4.5
This place was serving up great cocktails I Fitzroy before Fitzroy became Melbourne place to be and in the intervening years they haven't stopped doing what they do best.

The award winning cocktails are amongst the best you'll find it Australia and there's a really skill and passion from those who work behind the bar that's hard to find these days in such numbers. Everyone working at Black Pearl (and the Attic upstairs) is at the top of their game. Whether it's something from the menu or a bespoke cocktail you're looking for, Black Pearl demands a visit.
Jun 10, 2015
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Epicurean Of Southbank
+4.5
The service was extremely professional and when we were not discussing the best parts of Brisbane or Adelaide, some very potent and refreshing drinks were prepared. I enjoyed a perfect Winston Churchill Martini using gin that was sourced in Western Australia.
Oct 02, 2012
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The World Loves Melbourne
+4.5
On arrival at The Black Pearl we were greeted and hosted by one of Campari's international bartender legends for the cocktail masterclass. The Black Pearl is one of the best bars in Melbourne, but also the world (on world ratings lists). The fit out is uber cool with classic couches and great bar music - but the difference is in the number of highly trained sophisticated bar staff here. If they don't know about it, it's not worth knowing...
Nov 18, 2012
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Small Werld
+4.5
Those behind the bar at Black Pearl deserve far more than the standard title of barman/maid. This is a team that prides themselves on being able to take your night from good, to great in a single, perfectly mixed drink.
Jun 03, 2011
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Curtyjohn
+4.5
Just a great cocktail bar. The drinks are fantastic and the staff are as charismatic and helpful as you can hope. The light snacks are quite nice to accompany your drink too. Grab a seat upstairs early if you want a really nice night.
Nov 01, 2014
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HungryRat
+4.5
Fantastic cocktail bar!. Great cocktails, friendly bartenders who are always up for a chat, good ambience, extensive selection of great spirits, liquers, etc. Have taken quite a few friends here and they've all been impressed. Great that there isn't a dress code so it doesn't have the pretentiousness of other upmarket bars. Will always come back!
Jul 27, 2014
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Snoozie
+4.5
Great little bar! Delicious cocktails and super friendly and helpful staff. Will come again :)
Mar 22, 2014
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Brhee Mcgee
+4.5
Really cool and warm bar with great attitude, some really crazy bar staff, and great drinks would recommend
Dec 01, 2013
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Mike Kovacic
+4.5
Great, if not spectacular cocktails. But the finger foods are to die for!
Sep 10, 2013
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Iceman
+4.5
We called in to 'The Attic' which is the obscure 1st floor extension of the Black Pearl where the friendly service and cosy atmosphere were very well received. Certainly well worth considering for those who prefer the path less travelled
Aug 02, 2013
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Ed
+4.5
This place is amazing... You can see why they have won so many awards. Ask Chris to make you a special that won't disappoint. Can't wait for downstairs reno, this place rocks! Great party starter.
Jun 02, 2013
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Eve
+4.5
Have been here numerous times amazing service killer cocktails fierce decor & seriously comfy chaise longe love love def worth a stop if your cocktail savvy. If your just going for a beer keep walking this gem for true Melbourne lovers of couture hip funky atmosphere. One of my faves oh and the food is just as eclectic suits the drinks we stick to the single share plates and its always delish try the pan fried cheese similar to saganaki but they use a haloumi cheese instead.
Feb 04, 2013
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Melbourne Foodie
+4.5
Cocktail good times!. Best cocktails I've had in Melbourne!
Jan 24, 2013
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Chris Hysted
+4.5
Great bar and staff, had a fantastic night!! Drinks were soo tasty!!
Dec 04, 2012
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Mary Prizini
+4.5
Nice place food was good worth a visit for sure
Nov 19, 2012
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Big Eyes For A Big Tummy
+4.5
Such awesome bartenders!
Nov 19, 2012
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Sarah Gill
+4.5
Love it. Great place, cocktails and staff.
Nov 06, 2012
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Roly
+4.5
Undeniably one of Melbourne's best cocktail bars...must have is"the passion of the Christ church" service could be a little more friendly,apart from that,great!
Oct 20, 2012
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Michael
+4.5
Wow!. I went there a week ago, what a beautiful place. Classic cheap & cheerful fare. Totally comfy to boot.
Oct 11, 2012
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Daniel A
+4.5
Seriously good! Especially upstairs. Has to be one of Australia's best cocktail bars.
Aug 04, 2012
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Arual La Frangipanette
+4.5
A gem. Great staff, awesome cocktails.
Jul 14, 2012
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Checked Out...
+4.5
Now this is what I'm talking about. Cocktail bar that does not miss a beat, food is enough for a light antipasto style dinner (we were upstairs so not sure what is on offer downstairs) - but the winner is the COCKTAILS - full service bar, amazing flavours - pricey yes, but it's worth it.
Apr 18, 2012
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John Carver
+4.5
Really great drinks and very friendly professional bartenders. Sometimes there is a bit of bitchiness over the bar but the snacks are nice
Mar 24, 2012
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My Opinion
+4.5
Worth It. Delicious is the best way to describe the cocktails, atmosphere and service at Black Pearl. So refreshing to have great service with real conversation from the staff, table service and taking your order for you. If you are a cocktail lover shouting a round won't come cheap but the skill, presentation and taste is worth it especially if Christiano is responsible for creating them!
Mar 23, 2012
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NomNomNom
+4.5
The cocktails are amazing, the bartenders know their stuff, and the atmosphere's welcoming and snug. Thought it would have the potential to be pretentious and exclusive, but pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was so laidback and inviting.
Mar 05, 2012
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Vanilla
+4.5
Right at home.... Great atmosphere to chat with friends. Beer & Wine list are limited but it's all about cocktails here! So many good ones to try & enjoy. A must visit when on Brunswick St.
Nov 16, 2011
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Joss Marcs
+4.5
Best cocktails in melbourne I say and superb service.
Sep 13, 2011
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Emma Drater
+4.5
Wow.. Oh wow. This place is amazing and I now want to come back here every time I'm in Melbourne. Stellar customer service and stellar cocktails. Cannot fault it. Will recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
Jul 18, 2011
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Lauren Shay
+4.5
Suave. Incredibly suave place. Lovely staff, lovely decor and lovely atmosphere. I can't say much for the cocktail but that was my own fault for going a bit astray from what i am use to :)
Jul 08, 2011
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Ms Mansfield
+4.5
Cosy!!. One of the best little cocktail joints in Melbourne, easily! Great that it's open so late, you can always count on the Pearl to be open for a late night cap after a big night in Fitzroy... A bit squishy for room when you go in with a big group but cosy enough for two!
Jun 14, 2011
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Potato
+4.5
Winner. The best bar in Melbourne. Everything is right. The end.
Feb 07, 2011
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KingFD
+4.5
One of the BEST!. Has to be one of the best bars in Melbourne. Very friendly staff with expert knowledge of cocktails. Very cosy place. Great place to start a night out, or to spend the night and keep it classy and low key.
Jul 14, 2010
5
Dalena Pham (msdalena)
+5
Wow! What an amazing bar! It has such cool vibes with a nautical theme. The cocktails are perfection šŸ‘Œ You can order something off the menu if you know what you like. Definitely can see why it was rated one of the best bars.
5
Jessica Urdih
+5
Fantastic cocktails! We sat upstairs and received incredible service from the team. I could suggest what sort of drink I wanted (fruity, sweet etc) and they would create cocktails for me that were excellent. The team take pride in what they create and it shows. Great way to try some new drinks - plus they even wrote down how to make them from home for me (without me asking!) Highly recommend.
5
Ozzy Kunnu
+5
Making it to the 50 BestBars in the world in 2017 - 2018, you know why when you visit this bar. We chose to enjoy our evening in the Attic section, and the menu is quite different from the Black Pearl downstairs....nevertheless great! What else would you need for a splendid evening other than a beautiful ambience, good vibes and excellent drinks ......And of course, each other for a company.
4
Simon Tran
+4
Nice and cosy bar upstairs. The atmosphere is nice and the lighting can be dim which makes it hard to see the menu. Drinks are fantastic. Only downside is, it can get quite hot and opening the windows and having the aircon on didn't seem to do much.
5
Miya Moore
+5
Lowkey obsessed with this place. Has such a great vibe and the bartenders make the best cocktails with such passion. Also appreciate the general professionalism and kindness of all the staff.
5
Zihuatanejo
+5
Great bartender, recommended one of the best cocktails I've had so far and it's off menu. Lovely place and definitely would visit again.
5
Alex P.B
+5
Had brilliant service and even better cocktails. I had most of the gin cocktails and loved them. They were well worth the price and had good company.
5
Zak A
+5
Best old fashioned I've ever had. Served by Taka and Zach and their service was impeccable.
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