One of Melbourne’s most storied rooftop bars is being transformed into an izakaya-inspired bar and restaurant.
One of Melbourne’s most storied rooftop bars, the now-closed Madame Brussels, is being transformed into an izakaya-inspired bar and restaurant.
Set to open in October, it’s the first Japanese venue for new custodian Mamas Dining Group, which also has Vietnamese fusion diner Hochi Mama, recently opened Chinese joint Suzie Q and more.
“[Madame Brussels] was such an iconic spot in Melbourne,” says Mamas Dining Group director Thai Ho. “It definitely brings back a lot of memories of day drinking and weekend mischief … What an opportunity for us to rethink the space and create something else.”
Madame Brussels opened in 2006, bringing garden-party vibes and summery cocktails to a Bourke Street rooftop with impressive skyline views. It shut in 2021, with founding hostess and co-owner Miss Pearls, aka Paula Scholes, citing a decline in CBD trade. Soon after, it reopened relatively unchanged, with the same name but new owners: the team behind city cocktail bars Double Happiness and New Gold Mountain.
Following its ultimate closure last July, Ho seized the opportunity to reimagine the third-storey rooftop, signing the lease in April. “We’ve stripped it all the way back,” he says. “When you walk into the space, you won’t even recognise it.”
With a name that’s yet to be announced, the 150-person venue will have none of the indoor Astroturf, pastel hues or lattice that defined Madame Brussels’ original fitout.
Rather, architect Directitude (DOC Carlton, Tombo Den, Osteria Renata) is channelling the Tokyo district of Shibuya, where Ho’s aunty grew up (and which he’s become obsessed with since visiting). “The neon-lit streets, the listening bars, the music cafes – I’m inspired by it all,” says Ho. “I really wanted to create a space that paid tribute to it.”
Japanese timber and glass bricks will dominate the dimly lit and minimalistic interior, split into two distinct areas for diners and drinkers. A strictly vinyl-only soundtrack will run the gamut, including “everything from sexy disco tunes to hip-hop” according to Ho. Outside on the rooftop, each of the two levels will be brought to life with greenery.
While the menu – led by the group’s culinary creative director Michael Stolley – is still being finalised, Ho says it will be izakaya-inspired and suited to sharing. Expect plenty of sushi and sashimi, hibachi-grilled yakitori and more.
The drinks list will also centre on Japan, with an extensive selection of whisky and sake handpicked from across the country, including “some interesting things on tap”, says Ho. Cocktails will include classics like yuzu-spiked highballs and martinis made with sake or umeshu (Japanese plum wine).
Mamas Dining Group’s new Japanese venue is slated to open mid-October.
Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne, mamasdininggroup.com.au
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