Restaurant
Above Board
Chopper Lane" , Behind "Beermash Through the back door, 1/306 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
Find Above Board
Chopper Lane" , Behind "Beermash Through the back door, 1/306 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Above Board
Slip down Chopper Lane, cut through Beermash’s back door, and head up the stairs for Collingwood’s most focused cocktail pour. Melbourne bartenders quietly point each other to this 12-stool island counter when they want clean precision in a glass. The room is bottle-free and strictly walk-in—no reservations, no snacks, just pure liquid craft. Name a flavour profile, and the crew dials in an off-menu build served over custom-stamped ice.
- Twelve-Seat Counter: An uncluttered counter seating just twelve guests, keeping room noise low and focus sharp.
- Personalized Off-Menu Drinks: Bartenders calibrate unlisted drinks to your exact palate preferences, finished over custom-stamped ice.
- Laneway Speakeasy Arrival: Hidden upstairs through Beermash or via the back alley stairs for a true hideaway feel.
- Drinks-Only Focus: A strict drinks-only rule with zero snacks or food menu to pull attention from the cocktail craft.
What's On at Above Board
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Above Board
A bottle-free 12-seat sanctuary where world-class mixology meets warm hospitality—plan your visit early to secure your spot at Melbourne's benchmark bar.
Pure, Uncompromised Cocktail Focus
With an intentional absence of food and bar snacks, every ounce of craft is concentrated squarely on precision mixology.
There’s no food served, but the focus here is purely on the cocktails — and they are exceptional.
jenny chawla Intimate Minimalist Bar Setting
A calm, 12-seat counter layout strips away clutter so guests can watch world-class bartenders work up close.
The atmosphere is calm, intimate, and beautifully minimal.
CC Bespoke Off-Menu Drink Creation
Bartenders forgo rigid standard menus to craft custom drinks based directly on your preferred flavor notes.
I told the bartender a few drinks and flavours I normally like and they created an off-menu cocktail for me. It was exactly what I wanted.
Robert Firth Attentive Bartender Proximity
An open, wide bar ensures every seat is within conversational reach of the mixologists guiding your choices.
A beautiful, wide bar with each seat is within earshot of the attentive bartenders.
Edward K Immediate Sense of Belonging
Personal, genuine interaction replaces superficial small talk, making first-timers feel instantly at home.
It felt like I was coming back to a place I've known for years even though it was my first time there.
W. L. The Thrill of the Hidden Speakeasy
Navigating an unassuming alley and stairs behind another venue builds anticipation for the craft waiting upstairs.
This award-winning cocktail bar is tucked inside another bar, and finding it was half the fun
weisikmui
Most popular items
Precision-crafted drinks frequently praised by visitors at the counter.
Back Burner
the Back Burner — a unique and memorable mix featuring amaro, cacao cream, and shiso salt.
jenny chawla Japanese Slipper
Japanese Slipper - melon sour yumness;
Mike Kim H.S.L. Special
the H.S.L. Special stole the show for me. It had a complex, well-balanced flavour with just the right kick of alcohol
weisikmui Better Late Than Never
Recommendation: Better Late Than Ever
Anton S.
Other favorites
Notable pours and curated house builds served alongside custom creations.
Salty Boi #2
Salty Boi #2 cocktail was so good.
Christian Pyle A-Ha Highball
A-Ha Highball – refreshing and smooth
Evelyn Topolino
Topolino – a beautiful balance with peach and orange bitters
Evelyn Classic Old Fashioned
We tried a Classic Old Fashioned, which was perfectly balanced and executed
jenny chawla
Beyond the menu
Refined cocktail craftsmanship and intuitive hospitality elevate every round—book your spot to experience Melbourne's benchmark bar firsthand.
Custom-Stamped Ice & Chilled Glassware
Drinks are poured over clear hand-cut block ice stamped with the venue's custom logo and served in glassware kept chilled in a dedicated fridge.
Bespoke Off-Menu Formulations
Bartenders consult with guests directly on preferred spirit and flavour profiles to create tailored, off-menu drinks mixed to individual taste.
Frictionless Cocktail Adjustments
If a cocktail feels too spirit-forward or misses your mood, the team replaces it with a lighter, refreshing alternative without hesitation or fuss.
Attuned Conversational Pacing
Staff calibrate their interaction to your mood, balancing attentive hospitality with knowing when to leave you undisturbed to enjoy your conversation.
Before you head over
Essential guidance on timing, dining, and finding the door. Book your visit to experience Melbourne's benchmark cocktail sanctuary.
Arrive Early for Counter Stools
With only around 12 seats, counter stools fill up almost immediately when doors open. Queues can form before opening time and larger groups are frequently turned away, so plan to arrive right at opening in pairs.
Eat Dinner Beforehand
The bar is strictly dedicated to drinks and does not offer food, snacks, or kitchen service. Enjoy dinner beforehand so you can comfortably settle in for spirit-forward cocktail craftsmanship.
Locate the Hidden Alleyway Entrance
The speakeasy is tucked on the first floor above Beermash with discreet street presence. Walk through Beermash to the rear staircase, or turn down Perry Street into the alleyway past the dog mural—then book your visit to experience this benchmark room.
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