Australia’s number one Super Premium Vodka, GREY GOOSE® is thrilled to open the doors to Le Martini at Crown Melbourne – the world’s first standalone GREY GOOSE bar created in partnership with Crown. Now open and officially welcoming guests, the new venue dedicated to its namesake – the martini – will feature bespoke cocktail menus by international guest bartenders as well as a curated food offering from Crown Melbourne’s finest French cuisine, Bistro Guillaume.
Paying homage to one of the world’s most iconic cocktails, Le Martini offers guests the chance to revel in luxury whilst experiencing GREY GOOSE’s signature quality and craftsmanship at every turn. A transportive experience from arrival to departure, the journey taken at Le Martini is punctuated with an unrivalled attention to detail creating an intimate 34-person space where discerning cocktail aficionados and curious pleasure-seekers alike will discover the magic of the martini.
Considered one of the most personal cocktails, the martini demands to be savoured, whether served shaken or stirred, wet or dry. Much like GREY GOOSE, the martini relies on just two meticulously sourced ingredients –– yet within this simplicity, the infinite possibilities that exist so knowing personal preferences can be tricky. Immersing guests into the euphoria of the martini’s craft, bartenders will carefully guide guests to understand their preferred style and curate martinis matched to their personal desires, proving that the martini is more of a state of mind than a drink.
Taking the theatre of Melbourne cocktail-making to the next level, Le Martini will showcase a star-studded roster of internationally renowned bartenders to curate bespoke cocktail menus to serve alongside other GREY GOOSE martini signatures. Opening proceedings, award-winning industry icon, Dale DeGroff, known for transforming cocktail culture in the 1980s while working at New York’s legendary Rainbow Room, has curated three exclusive martinis for guests to sip on whilst kicking back in the dedicated martini bar for the next three months.
Having recently paid a visit to Melbourne to develop the menu, DeGroff has brought his ‘King of Cocktails’ reputation to Le Martini whilst respecting the illustrious history and evolution of the martini to include; Harry’s Original, a zesty twist on a classic inspired by the 1888 Harry Johnson martini – the first-ever, five-ingredient, martini recipe to be featured in print; the Grey Goose Millenium Dry featuring a crisp profile that pays tribute to the new millennium; and finally, the opulent Grey Goose Martinié Speciale, celebrating all things French with equal measures of blanc vermouth and Sauternes served with a juicy Sicilian olive.
Sharing his excitement of becoming the first to curate Le Martini’s guest bartender menu, Dale DeGroff says, “We’re living in the most extraordinary time when it comes to cocktails and so I’m delighted to create the opening menu at Le Martini, a bar that is dedicated to this iconic drink. I wanted to show the evolution of the martini — from what was served in 1888 to the 19th and 20th centuries and paying tribute to the new millennium and so we’ve made that happen, all using the exquisite Grey Goose vodka, which has been my go-to vodka since I participated in the world release in New York City in 1997.”
Before entering Le Martini guests are greeted with window displays honouring the iconic GREY GOOSE bottles, bordered with velvet curtains that evoke the secrecy of the space behind, alluding to the luxury that awaits inside. Upon entering, guests are greeted with the intimate warmth and cosy feel of a speakeasy, evoked through Le Martini’s plush velvet drapery and banquette seating in deep blue hues, elongated bar with soft curves inspired by organic natural forms and subtle nods to the iconic French vodka via aged mirrors etched with geese and opulent glass chandeliers.
Head of Marketing at Bacardí-Martini Australia & New Zealand, Sander Janmaat commented: “We are delighted to open the doors to Le Martini, the world’s first GREY GOOSE bar, here in Australia, with such an exemplar of luxury, Crown Melbourne. Le Martini has been designed as a retreat where guests can celebrate, reminisce and create memorable experiences, sipping on the very best expertly crafted GREY GOOSE martinis while immersed in luxury; we can’t wait for you to join us.”
Crown Melbourne Executive General Manager, Food and Beverage, and Retail, Enda Cunningham explains, ”We are thrilled to welcome our guests to Le Martini to experience Crown Melbourne’s world-class hospitality. Le Martini is a fantastic addition to Crown Melbourne’s notable bar offering, providing our guests with an intimate venue, perfect for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail. We look forward to our guests embracing Le Martini and celebrating one of the world’s most popular cocktails, the martini.”
In keeping with GREY GOOSE’s signature French quality and craftsmanship, bar snacks are reimagined with a contemporary flair from neighbouring Crown favourite, Bistro Guillaume. Visitors can indulge in freshly shucked oysters with a classic mignonette or a decadent Caviar experience with blinis and creme fraiche, take pleasure in gildas at the bar, or opt for whipped cod roe baguettes for something more substantial in between sips. With a paddock to plate philosophy, the curated menu showcases local Victorian produce that changes with the finest tastes of the season.
Le Martini is open now, Thursday to Sunday from 5pm until late, Le Martini is located on Ground Floor, Crown Melbourne, Southbank, VIC, 3006, Australia.
For more information, please visit www.crownmelbourne.com.au/bars/LeMartini or follow us @LeMartiniBar #GreyGoose #LeMartini.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
