Maurice Terzini (Icebergs, RE-, Jacksons on George) and Joe Jones (Romeo Lane) have teamed up to announce they’ll be opening basement cocktail bar Purple Pit in Melbourne next month.
Set to open below the iconic Gothic Queens and Collins building in the CBD, Purple Pit will be inspired by European hotel bars including Harry’s Bar in Venice and Public Hotel in New York.
Terzini describes Purple Pit’s food offering as ‘Champagne food’ designed to work best when drinking.
Some of the dishes set to star include a house-made calzone with alternate fillings such as ricotta and fermented chilli; plus tomato tartare with shio koki, and a tuna loin.
Purple Pit’s drink list will be full of euro-centric modern cocktails alongside classics.
Some of those include the half martini Ticket To Ride served with Champagne, caviar, and kochu creme; plus the Emerald City with jasmine spirit, lemon, sherry, and green apple soda.
“We’re aiming to create something energising and new in a city that really needs it!” says Jones.
“This place is for everyone to join in on what we love, and we’re humbled to have been afforded the opportunity to contribute to the community by sharing what we love doing with you all.”
Purple Pit’s design has been led by Terzini and Jones along with Daniel Dalla Riva and Filip Bjazevic of Latitude Group and Studio Massive and is expected to feature a contrast between brutalism and overt lux textures.
Purple Pit is slated to open early December on 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne.