It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that Made in the Shade are slowly but surely taking over Melbourne. The hospitality group behind some of the southern capital’s best bars and eateries, including The Everleigh and rather successful cocktail line The Everleigh Bottling Co., has just announced another addition to its burgeoning portfolio; Bar Margaux.

Setting up shop in the Melbourne CBD, Bar Margaux will again focus on ‘quality drinks, food and great service’. The bar’s concept has been inspired by the New York-style Parisian brasseries frequented by co-owner Michael Madrusan during his Big Apple stint in the early 2000s. Madrusan’s penchant for the likes of Schiller’s, Pastis and Balthazar has led to an 80-seat venue open from early afternoon through late, seven days a week. Drop in for a quiet cocktail at the bar, or make your way to the dining room for a French-inspired feast.

“Every new project is a lesson. We release it out into the world, we watch, we listen and we evolve,” says Michael of Bar Margaux. “This one’s been on the plan since I opened The Ev. Had I had the money back then, I’d have put her downstairs, where Belle’s is now. So it took a few years to realise, but I’m more passionate about the concept now than I’ve ever been.”

Daniel Southern (ex Vue Group and L’Oustal) has been named the group executive chef and will oversee the Bar Margaux menu. This will be laden with French classics for mains, as well as a substantial supper menu for the night owls craving a feed between midnight and 5.00am. Southern’s cuisine will be partnered with a hefty drinks list created as-per-usual by Madrusan, and group manager Marty McCaig. It being a French-inspired bar expect Champagne aplenty, and a focus on French wine, intermingled with natural wine producers and an array of aperitif-style and half-size cocktails (Martinis included).

The interiors will take cues from Paris and New York alike, integrating white subway tiles, deep red banquettes, a zinc bar top and chequered flooring, and topped off with custom lighting and vintage furnishings hand-selected by Madrusan and his wife (and co-owner) Zara.

For Zara, Bar Margaux is a culmination of the group’s different properties. “We personify all of our projects and this one is no different,” she says. “Margaux is going to be a combination of all our venues’ offerings; she’ll be sophisticated and feminine, but lively and late. We’re big on the vibe and always serve people before drinks. The drinks will be quality, and the food will be tasty.”

Bar Margaux
Basement level, 111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.