Restaurant
Curious
408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Curious
408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Curious
Down a Flinders Lane stairwell beneath the W, Curious drops you into a timber-arched den built for late-night escapism. Insiders steer toward the experimental cocktail flights and Janice Wong dessert pairings—interactive pours served alongside crabby crumpets and lobster rolls topped with roe. The subterranean room shifts as resident DJs build the tempo, letting an early drink roll straight into midnight.
- Subterranean Cocoon Design: Curved timber beams, low lighting, and den-like seating tuck guests beneath W Melbourne away from street-level bustle.
- Interactive Cocktails & Sweets: Experimental flights and bespoke pours pair directly with signature creations by pastry chef Janice Wong.
- Dusk-to-Late DJ Sets: Early evening drink specials give way to house DJ sessions, carrying the room from pre-dinner meets to midnight caps.
What's On at Curious
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
Special
Meet the Tomato Flavour Flight.
Meet the Tomato Flavour Flight. Featuring three signature cocktails, served course by course, with guac & chips on the side. Three cocktails. One flavour journey. $70 per person. Book now.
Why Choose Curious
Discover why night owls, couples, and cocktail purists descend into Flinders Lane's moodiest basement lounge—reserve your table tonight.
Subterranean Cocoon Architecture
Descend beneath Flinders Lane into a burrowed subterranean sanctuary featuring ambient lighting and curved timber architecture that create a transportive escape.
a cocoon-like space adorned with dark timber beams and ambient lighting that sets an intimate mood.
Amilliah Interactive Mixology & Dessert Pairings
Elevate date nights and celebratory evenings with custom cocktail flights and multi-sensory drink presentations paired directly with haute dessert craft.
I got to enjoy beautiful desserts created by Janice Wong, paired with tasty cocktails.
Airi Repetti Essential CBD Launchpad
Positioned discreetly within the Flinders Lane hotel precinct, Curious serves as Melbourne's prime launchpad before stepping out into the CBD.
If you’re going on a bar crawl of the city, especially with interstate or international visitors, make this your first stop.
Cat Jones Early Evening Happy Hour Pours
Early evening arrivals gain access to approachable happy hour pricing on expertly shaken cocktails and curated small bites in a relaxed lounge setting.
Happy hour is a fantastic bonus, offering great value without compromising on quality.
Michelle B Curated DJ Lounge Sets
As the night unfolds, resident DJs spin curated house tracks that elevate the basement lounge with an unmistakable metropolitan pulse.
the DJ, Rob Sama, played exceptional house music — the sort of high-end sound you’d hear in New York or Paris.
Sash Despotovski Late-Night Drinks & Digestifs
Whether meeting fellow travelers or winding down after an evening across the city, the bar offers a spirited downtown haven for a final round.
Def will come back again for a night cap after a crazy night out.
Jesse (Jez)
Most popular items
Standout creations and interactive tastings highlighted by guests
Bella Loves a Bubble
Recommended is Bella loves a bubble.
Amilliah Cocktail Flight
I recommend the cocktail flight - it gave us an interesting and unexpected drink among others we choose purposefully, and I even enjoyed one from the flight more than one I picked out xD.
Amy Cupcake Janice Wong Desserts
I got to enjoy beautiful desserts created by Janice Wong, paired with tasty cocktails.
Airi Repetti Jungle Negroni
The Jungle Negroni and Velour Old Fashioned were strong, smooth, and definitely the right choice for the boys.
Raman Prabhakar
Other favorites
Complement your cocktail journey with specialty concoctions and refined savory bites.
Velour Old Fashioned
The Jungle Negroni and Velour Old Fashioned were strong, smooth, and definitely the right choice for the boys.
Raman Prabhakar Sweet but Sake
The cocktails are not only beautifully presented but also creative and full of personality—loved “Sweet but Sake” and “Bella loves a bubble.”
Sylvia Liu Salmon Crudo
The salmon crudo was fresh and perfectly seasoned, and the lobster rolls were rich, creamy, and topped with roe for a nice touch.
Sylvia Liu Lobster Rolls
The salmon crudo was fresh and perfectly seasoned, and the lobster rolls were rich, creamy, and topped with roe for a nice touch.
Sylvia Liu
Beyond the menu
From custom drink illustrations to curated Janice Wong dessert pairings, subterranean hospitality shines—book your table for a memorable evening.
Personalized Mixology Guidance & Table Sketches
Floor staff take the time to sit at your table to explain cocktail profiles in depth, even illustrating custom sketches to accompany specialty drinks like Disco Juice.
Artisanal Janice Wong Dessert Pairings
Celebratory evenings feature artistic dessert pairings curated by Janice Wong, matching haute confectionery with bespoke cocktail flavours.
Guided Cocktail Discovery Flights
Guests exploring the cocktail program can order guided flights that weave unexpected, experimental creations alongside personal selections.
Attentive Host Care & Late-Night DJ Seating
Front-of-house hosts actively accommodate special seating requests and arrange prime tables near the DJ for patrons returning later in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you make a reservation before visiting?
Booking ahead is strongly recommended, as the bar is attached to the W Hotel and can be constantly rotating and busy. You can book a table in advance, though note that larger group bookings may require phone confirmation and a credit card prepayment.
When are final drink orders called before closing?
While the bar closes at midnight on select evenings, last calls can occur surprisingly early (around 11:10 PM), with lights turning fully on right at closing time. Plan your drink orders earlier in the evening to avoid being caught by early last calls.
How long does food service take?
Curious offers a menu of small plates and sharing bites such as mini lobster rolls, smash burgers, oysters, and crumpets. However, multiple guests note food preparation can occasionally take 40 to 45 minutes, so it is best suited for drinks and casual grazing rather than a rushed meal.
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.
- Ellora St KildaSt Kilda · Cocktail, Tapas, Cocktail Bar, Bar
- State of GraceMelbourne · Cocktail, European, Cocktail Bar, Bar, Restaurant
- Whitehart BarMelbourne · Cocktail, Bar, Cocktail Bar
- Brogan's Way DistilleryRichmond · Cocktail, Bar, Cocktail Bar
- Mountain Monk BrewersMount Beauty · Cocktail, Brewery, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub, Restaurant
- Blackout Restaurant and LoungeFitzroy · Cocktail, Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- BottargaBrighton · Italian, Australian, Fusion, Restaurant, Fine Dining Restaurant
- Stefano's RestaurantMildura · Italian, Restaurant
- Dhamaka Indian Street FoodClayton · Indian, Chinese, Vegetarian, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Great Indian WaveBoronia · Indian, Restaurant
- Travelling BanditBalwyn North · Coffee, Cafe
- Sapa HillsFootscray · Vietnamese, Restaurant
- Dröm BakeryBayswater · Bakery
- Wok In WangarattaWangaratta · Asian, Fast Food, Restaurant
- The Tin Plate Cafe and restaurantBallan · Coffee, Cafe, Restaurant
- Highett Charcoal ChickenHighett · Chicken, Fast Food, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Daylesford Cider CompanyMusk · Brewery, Cafe, Restaurant
- Dutch Rules Distilling Co.Mitcham · Gin, Cocktail, Distillery, Bar
