St Ali & the Queen

With Espresso Martinis as ubiquitous as ever, it’s no surprise one of Melbourne’s original specialty coffee roasters, St Ali is also in the cocktail game. St Ali & the Queen is the old-school roasters’ day-to-night concept in the Queen Vic Market’s Munro Building, specialising in brews and cocktails.

St Ali coffee is, of course, brewed all day, but there’s a focus on the drinks menu, which features a small selection of mostly Victorian wines, aperitifs, and zero-alcohol drinks from Non.

This being a St Ali operation, there are also coffee-inspired creations. The bottled Loro coffee cocktail is mixed with tonka beans and a touch of orange. Then there’s the Cascara Bellini, a mix of peach liqueur, bianco vermouth and vodka-infused cascara infusion – a brewed drink made from coffee cherries (the fruit from coffee trees) and the dried skins and pulp of the plant.

The venue features exposed concrete floors, timber detailing and windows with arches reminiscent of a glasshouse, made from repurposed materials. With gold metallic cabinets and shelves, the venue easily transitions from morning to evening service.

There’s also a brunch menu where you’ll find diches like Spanish pan con tomato (bread with tomato) or St. Ali’s take a classic Ploughman’s lunch. Along with focaccias on offer, St. Ali’s is a destination for any time of day.