Sydney may be the city with a reputation for being home to a boat party or two but it looks like Melbourne is set to give the NSW capital a run for its money with its latest addition.

Shortly Arbory Afloat will return to the Yarra River – a pontoon bar that sits on the city’s famed stretch of water. The floating drinking spot sits in front of the Arbory Bar & Eatery on Flinders Walk and will remain on the Yarra from November 15 right through February 26. The summer special was introduced in 2015 and is back again for 2018 by popular request.

The bar itself is Mediterranean-inspired and as such is a sleekly styled combination of Yves Klein blue colour palette, banquette seating, French bistro chairs and luxe day beds – all designed by Curious By Design. As for the gourmet fare to be had while aboard, it comes courtesy of Arbory executive chef Nick Bennett. And there’s dessert to boot, from the city’s famed Pidapipo Gelateria.

Arbory Afloat will be open seven days a week (including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), from the hours of 11am to 1am. For those who want the pontoon for themselves, Arbory Afloat will be available for private hire and can accommodate between 40-407 guests.