The Archer Bar

The Look: Undeniably Art Deco but not in an antique theme-park way. The Archer is a cafe by day, so the set-up features tables and chairs rather than chaise lounges and ottomans.
To drink: A fairly standard but comprehensive range of refreshments. Cocktails include classic mixes as well as the creatively titled ‘Tie Me to the bedpost, baby’. Featuring five different spirits, it makes the Archer’s alcoholic Iced Tea sound tame.
To eat: Open from breakfast onwards, food is served at all the usual intervals. Dishes are mainly pub-style crowd pleasers and there’s antipasto and tapas on offer for smaller appetites.
Bar Soundtrack: Live jazz and blues combos are a regular feature of the Archer art scape but the bar doesn’t limit itself to musical culture. Upstairs is a gallery space which displays the work of local creatives, meanwhile the book cabinet entertains literary types. The Archer Bar also hold weekly Poetry Nights.
Best for: Not your 19 year old club-bunny cousin but most other demographics should be fine.

By Marinella Padula

Address: 131 Buckley Street, Essendon
Phone: 9331 2592
Open: Tuesday to Sunday