The mission is simple at Carlton’s new Euro-style cocktail bar on leafy Rathdowne Street: “Be a good friend to people,” says co-owner Danielle Whitehart. Hence the name, Bar Bellamy, which plays on the French words “bel ami” (or “good friend”). “It’s a place you can bring a good friend, or meet new ones,” she tells Broadsheet.

Much like the name, the menu is kind of French, and kind of not. “It’s Euro-leaning,” says Danielle. Chef Barney Cohen (ex-Anada, Nomada) captains the rotating menu with small plates such as angasi oysters drizzled in hot sauce, mussel croquettes, chicken-liver-parfait cannoli, and devilled eggs, as well as larger plates like a veal schnitzel Holstein (served with a fried egg, anchovies and lemon-caper sauce). “We tried veal from three or four different suppliers before we landed on one,” recalls co-owner – and Danielle’s husband – Oska Whitehart.

The couple married 10 years ago and share an impressive resume between them. Oska cut his teeth at some of Melbourne’s top cocktail bars, including The Everleigh, Bad Frankie and Gimlet. And Danielle’s cafe background includes well-loved eateries Archie’s All Day and Sibling.

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Oska, alongside Amaro-obsessed bartender Giovanni Torresan (ex-Gimlet), can be found behind the bar, where punters can request just about anything – but Martinis are a specialty. There’ll be rotating twists on the classic Martini (when Broadsheet visits it’s a “Lupini Tini” with sake and lupini-bean brine), as well as a variety of signature tipples. Plus, a compact wine list and a variety of local and international beers that Torresan might recommend turning into an Amer Picon Biere cocktail.

The space fits neatly into its cosy Rathdowne Street surrounds, with a fresh lick of paint and sage-green accents on the facade. Inside, the charming fit-out (designed by Britt Hill of John Wardle Architects) takes cues from the menu’s European influences. “We wanted it to be like an old bistro or small bar you could stumble into on vacation in Europe,” says Danielle. The warmly lit walls feature a Libby Haines artwork and a custom stained-glass piece by local artist Aoife Fitzpatrick (aka Thursday Glass), who also works front-of-house at the bar.

The couple is leading by example when it comes to their “good friend” ethos. “I went to school with Barney, and Dani met Aoife at a bar a long time ago,” recalls Oska. “We really want people to come in and meet people – mill around and do all the things we missed for a few years there.”

Bar Bellamy
164 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

Hours:
Wed to Sat 5pm–1am
Sun 12pm–8pm

barbellamy.com
@bar.bellamy