This award-winning bar, reminiscent of the depraved beer halls of Belgium, serves a huge selection of beers and harbours a cocktail bar out the back.
Melbourne's answer to the bustling, debauched and depraved beer halls of Belgium is Cookie. Located above several flights of old bluestone steps (the same steps you'll be cursing on your drunken way out), Cookie welcomes the weary traveller with the promise of cold beer served in the traditional beer hall way.
DJs play a mix of jazzy house, funk, disco and just about anything good that was ever pressed into vinyl. The Thai restaurant serves meals such as fish salad, fish custard (seriously) and pizza. Oh yeah, and the beer never stops.
The array of tap beers is simply staggering. The massive - hang on, that deserves a capital -
Massive selection of spirits will never leave you wanting, except perhaps for respite. You'll also find one of the best cocktail bars in town tucked out the back.
On some nights, Cookie bears more than a passing resemblance to a Viking booze den. This place offers everything you could need on a night out - alas, without the serving wenches ... Oh wait, there they are.
Mark Gambino