Best Negronis in Melbourne

Dante NYC has been making and shaking cocktails since 1915 and has been part of the resurrection of the Negroni in recent years. On the back of their hugely successful global pop up tour, Dante is finally heading to Melbourne.

Spread over one week in a three part series of events with Neil Perry's Rockpool, the events will showcase why this historic restaurant bar has been crowned New York’s Best Negroni.

Though the Campari, gin, bitters and orange drink is said to have originated in Florence, Italy, its popularity over the last decade has been global and has coincided with the rise of craft or small-batch gin. The Negroni even has its own dedicated week of celebration, which this year runs from June 24 to 30, 2019.

Melbourne’s own cocktail bars took on the Negroni comeback with vigour, and its usual side order of innovation. These seven bars offer some of the best.

The Ghost of Alfred Felton BarVisitors can order an Espy Negroni or a Sticky Carpet Gin at the Espy main bar, but it’s only at The Ghost of Alfred Felton cocktail bar on the top floor where one can order the Aussie inspired, Lamington Negroni.  11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, +61 (03) 9534 0211

The EverleighWith their own label Negroni available in bottles, one would hope they would have gotten it down to a fine art at the always elegant Everleigh in Fitzroy. A refreshed look after six years but still the same polished service and masterful mixology make this a must do for Negroni fans. 150-156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, +61 (03) 9416 2229

Uncle JoesAn intimate neighbourhood cocktail bar where visitors perch on bar stools while staring wistfully out of the window to the Lygon Street traffic and sipping on their perfectly-concocted Negroni to the soundtrack of an expertly-curated vinyl playlist. 325 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, +61 (03) 9380 5637

GalahAn inventive Bushtails menu pays homage to tastes of Australia with inclusions such as The Pav, The Galah, The Kookaburra and The Gold Rush featuring native ingredients such as Strawberry Gum and Wattleseed. They do regular cocktails too, including a Negroni, garnished with gum leaves of course. 216 High Street, Windsor, +61 (03) 9521 5325

Above BoardEntering the award-winning Above Board – up the stairs at the back of Beer Mash or from the alleyway at the rear - feels more like entering a craft workshop than a bar. The large slab of mahogany that separates drinkers from drink-makers provides the stage for a range of 25 classic, and not so classic cocktails, of which Negroni is one. Level 1 306 Smith Street (access through Chopper Lane) Collingwood 3066

Campari HouseAs one of three key ingredients in the Negroni, it would be remiss not to include Campari House in the list. The buzzy, busy rooftop bar is an institution in Melbourne and a brisk winter evening is as perfect a place to sip a warming Negroni as on a balmy summer night. The Australian Negroni features local gin, bitters and Central Victoria’s own Maidenii Sweet Vermouth.  23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 (03) 9600 1574

Clooney Kitchen and BarThe old-world glamour, leather and dark wood décor of Port Melbourne’s newest cocktail bar is the perfect setting for a cut crystal glass filled with the dry and bitter Negroni. Clooney’s version uses two types of Vermouth’s and is finished with blood orange. 171 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, (03) 9645 1568