Restaurant
Black Kite Commune
30 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Black Kite Commune
30 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Black Kite Commune
Tucked down Russell Place, this split-level sanctuary strips cocktail hour back to dark timber, low amber lighting, and rare Australian spirits. Up in the Loft, a lightbox ceiling channels the Black Spur forest at night—booths come fitted with golden call buttons to summon pours without breaking conversation. Insiders bypass standard orders for agave selections and plates from the bush tucker menu, filling low tables with grilled emu, wild boar croquettes, and crocodile fried with saltbush.
- Native Game Fare: Small plates built around Australian wildlife, including wild boar croquettes, grilled emu, and saltbush-dusted crocodile.
- Loft Service Buttons: Upstairs booths feature illuminated ceilings and call buttons to summon drinks on demand.
- Local Spirits Program: A dedicated backbar showcasing domestic whiskies, craft liqueurs, and curated agave pours.
What's On at Black Kite Commune
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Guests Choose Black Kite Commune
From native game tastings and local spirits to private upstairs booths with on-demand service, reserve your table to experience Melbourne's sultry supper club.
Low-Lit Sanctuary for Unrushed Conversations
A two-level sanctuary featuring plush textures, black walls, and warm lighting designed for slow, unhurried evenings.
I loved the dark, moody décor, intimate lighting and cosy atmosphere overlooking the bar below.
Rishter Intimate Setting for Solo Drinks or Dates
Whether perched alone at the counter or seated for date night, the venue balances sultry aesthetics with welcoming warmth.
Stunning bar with a sexy atmosphere balancing intimacy, low-lit aesthetics, plush textures, and curated details.
Chloe Clark-Mckeever Table-Side Golden Service Buttons
Guests in the upstairs loft booths can summon floor service seamlessly at the touch of a button.
if you sit upstairs, you can press the button for service.
Mia Goreng Curated Australian Backbar and Whiskies
A deeply curated spirits program celebrating local distillations, with extensive Australian whisky lineups and custom cocktails.
An absolutely amazing selection of Australian whisky and beer, fantastic knowledgable staff.
Sarah Adelaide Quintessentially Australian Gathering Point
An ideal destination for showing visitors or companions rare native game preparations rarely found in Melbourne cocktail bars.
I think this is perfect for giving overseas visitors a quintessentially Australian experience as you get dishes that include kangaroo, emu, wallaby, crocodile and wild boar
Andrew Kay Bush-Tucker Tasting Plates Built to Share
Small plates centered around wild game provide a culinary adventure designed for sharing across the table.
tasting a lot of the small plates inspired by Australian bush food - grilled emu steak, crocodile bites, wallaby pie.
Sergi
Most popular items
Explore guest-favorite native bush bites and conceptual cocktails—book your table for a memorable evening.
Wild Boar Croquettes
Star of the show definitely the wild boar croquettes.
Sergi The Arrival
From the menu I had an Arrival which was freaking delicious.
Leia Andrews Wallaby Pies
We also had the wallaby pies & wild boar croquettes. They were both delicious but the croquettes were so good we had to order them twice!
Leia Andrews Mini Echo Echo
I tried the San Cosme and Vida mezcals along with the Mini Echo Echo, and they were all excellent.
Rishter
Other favorites
Complementary sides and familiar cocktail pours to round out your visit.
Hand Cut Chips
hand cut chips and olives, both delicious and complimented our cocktails very well.
CoCo Cole Olives
hand cut chips and olives, both delicious and complimented our cocktails very well.
CoCo Cole BBQ Prawns
we had the BBQ prawns (the fave of the order - just simple and delicious)
Michael Newman Long Island Iced Tea
The long Island iced tea cocktails were amazing, served by a wonderful mixologist called Adam.
Leon Barnfield
Beyond the menu
From boothside buzzers to tailored spirit storytelling, reserve your spot for a distinctive late-night Melbourne escape.
Loft Booth Call Buttons
Guests seated in the upstairs loft booths can press dedicated golden service buttons to summon a bartender directly to their table on demand.
Story-Driven Spirit Guidance
Passionate bar staff guide guests through tailored tastings, sharing behind-the-scenes stories on fat-washed spirits, mezcal varieties, and native game pairings.
Tailored Off-Menu Concoctions
Bartenders readily craft bespoke, off-menu drinks tailored on the fly to personal cravings, dietary limits, or non-alcoholic remedy requests.
Black Spur Canopy & Customizable Lighting
The upstairs Loft features a custom lightbox ceiling depicting the forest of the Black Spur at night, paired with booth lighting patrons can adjust to their preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of food is served?
The kitchen focuses on Australian bush food and game meats, offering small plates such as wild boar croquettes, emu, kangaroo kofta, wallaby, and battered crocodile, alongside sides like hand-cut chips.
What drinks are on offer?
The drinks menu highlights local Australian spirits, wines, whiskies, and craft cocktails, along with agave spirits like mezcal. Bartenders are also happy to craft custom and off-menu drinks.
How does table service work in the upstairs loft?
The venue is split across two levels. Upstairs booths feature call buttons to summon waitstaff directly to your table for drink and food orders.
Is outdoor seating available?
Yes, alongside its moody interior, the bar features a heated outdoor terrace for open-air drinks.
Explore more places in Melbourne
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- Henry SugarCarlton North · Cocktail, Wines, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
- Omnia Bistro & BarSouth Yarra · Cocktail, European, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Fine Dining, Wine Bar
- St LuJa | Cocktail Bar with an Irish accentSt Kilda · Cocktail, Cocktail Bar, Bar, Wine Bar
- Grenache Wine BarCowes · Cocktail, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
- SigloMelbourne · Cocktail, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
- Kirk's Wine BarMelbourne · Cocktail, Bar, Wine Bar, Cocktail Bar
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- Treviso Bar & DiningMelbourne · Italian, Pizza, Restaurant, Bar, Wine Bar
- Fox in the Chamber, WoodendWoodend · Coffee, Cafe
- Decca RestaurantAlphington · Modern Australian, Asian, Restaurant
- Krua Thai - RichmondRichmond · Thai, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Rainbow Palace Chinese RestaurantKorumburra · Chinese, Restaurant
- The Winey CowMornington · Coffee, Cafe, Restaurant
- MachiSt Kilda · Japanese, Restaurant
- Hunky Dory Fish & Chips South MelbourneSouth Melbourne · Fish & Chips, Restaurant, Takeaway
- SidebarSandringham · Wine Bar
- Ned's Bake & Bistro South YarraSouth Yarra · Cafe
- Ember SorrentoSorrento · Seafood, Modern Australian, Restaurant
- ShyunCarnegie · Japanese, Restaurant
