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Restaurant

The LuWOW

212 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 77 people

Updated

Find The LuWOW

212 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 7038 0937
HoursMonday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The LuWOW

Step off Little Collins and straight onto island time inside this dimly lit, bamboo-clad jungle den. The LuWOW trades stiff cocktail conventions for unabashed Polynesian kitsch—serving up potent rum drinks in novelty skull bowls and fish tanks. Regulars keep pocket collector cards to tally their way across the expansive drink list while 70s and 80s vinyl spins from the owner's personal stash. Arrive early for a booth, order a round of chorizo skewers, and note they do not split bills at the bar.

  • Potent Theatrical Cocktails: Elaborately served in fish tanks and skull bowls, paired with pocket collector cards to track your progress.
  • Immersive Jungle Kitsch: Wall-to-wall retro island kitsch with bamboo, lush greenery, and moody, low-lit seating.
  • Deep-Cut Vinyl Soundtrack: New wave, punk, and vintage rock deep cuts spinning from the owner's personal record collection.
  • Quick Bar Bites: Quick bar bites like chorizo skewers, tacos, and nachos ready for casual sharing.
RestaurantCocktailCocktail Bar

What's On at The LuWOW

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Choose The LuWOW

Why guests escape into The LuWOW for tropical drinks and immersive nightlife

  • Maximalist Tropical Escapism

    Step out of the city streets into a fully realized jungle fantasy filled with dense kitsch memorabilia, dim atmospheric lighting, and immersive tropical decor.

    From the moment I stepped in, I felt like I was in a tropical jungle or an adventure movie

    Anson Wing

  • Vintage Vinyl Soundtracks

    Sip to a curated soundtrack of vintage vinyl rock-and-roll, punk, and new wave pulled straight from the owner's personal record crates.

    The music is from the owners record collection, brilliant I've got the same vinyl.

    Sam Keir

  • Instant Island Relaxation

    Unwind instantly in a warm, transportive setting where urban routines fade into unhurried vacation mode.

    cozy, jungle-inspired vibe that instantly makes you feel relaxed

    thuthi abey

  • Playful Holiday Novelty

    Reignite childlike wonder with playful, theatrical tiki serves that turn casual evening drinks into pure entertainment.

    creating a permanent tiki holiday atmosphere that will just makeyou smile

    Claudine Faerie

  • Go-To Spot to Impress Guests

    Give out-of-town guests and friends an unforgettable Melbourne night out with an atmosphere guaranteed to leave an impression.

    Anyone you bring there will be impressed.

    BoHDi Gardener

  • Communal Bowl Cocktails

    Gather around oversized theatrical bowl cocktails and shared drinks with eco-friendly straws built for bonding in cozy booths.

    Good place to come with a small group to share food and bowl cocktails.

    Sam Rowen

Theatrical, tropical concoctions served with maximalist tiki flair

  • Bikini Bottom

    I loved the bikini bottom cocktail.

    Angie Estefanía Ramírez

  • Giant Skull of Grog

    There is nothing more therapeutic (and I apologize to all the psychs and therapists out there) than sharing a "Giant Skull of Grog" with your mother-in-law.

    andre schertel

  • Spider Bite

    This cocktail was fittingly called the spider bite.

    Thomas Anderson

  • Bonana

    We had the Bonana and Bikini Bottom($24 each)

    Anson Wing

Beyond the menu

Unique details and theatrical hospitality that set the experience apart

  • Menu Gamification with Collector Cards

    Guests receive pocket collector cards to record drinks and track their journey across repeat visits to finish the cocktail menu.

  • Theatrical Shared Vessels

    Signature cocktails arrive in dramatic shared vessels like a giant skull of grog or novelty fishtank with eco-friendly straws.

  • Owner's Personal Vinyl Playlist

    The soundtrack is spun from the owner's personal vintage record collection, featuring classic 60s, 70s, and 80s new wave, punk, and rock tracks.

  • Maximalist Jungle Memorabilia Decor

    Low-lit interiors are densely packed wall-to-wall with tropical memorabilia, retro pop-culture kitsch, and tiki decor across every square inch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to book a table in advance?

Yes, reservations can be made online, which is recommended for weekend evenings due to limited space. However, walk-ins are also welcome, though lines can form later in the evening so arriving early is advised.

Can you split the bill across multiple cards or cash?

The bar does not split bills, so groups and dining companions should plan to settle payment together on a single card or bill.

Are there shareable cocktail bowls available?

Yes, large novelty cocktail bowls and themed creations like the Giant Skull of Grog and Spider Bite are served with eco-friendly straws and designed for companions to share.

What are the cocktail collector cards?

Yes, guests receive pocket collector cards that allow them to track their progress through the extensive cocktail menu across visits.

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