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High Note

220 High Street, Northcote, VIC, 3070
Phone
No phone
Website
highnote.space
Instagram
@highnote_____

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 10 Jan 2024

By
Tomas Telegramma

This hot new Northcote hangout is part music bar, part community space, with fun cocktails and a tricked-out sound system inherited (in part) from the Sydney Opera House.

A busy evening at High Note in Melbourne
Why you goThey’re notoriously hard to hit, high notes. But you could say Northcote’s newest bar arrived warmed up and ready to belt, especially if the footpath-commanding crowds are anything to go by. It’s little wonder High Note oozes such low-key cool, though, given the team behind it: they include the founder of music agency Crown Ruler (behind such good-times festivals as Duke Street Block Party and Sun Cycle), the CEO of top local entertainment and culture marketer Bolster Group, and the co-founder of bespoke audio business Hope Audio. What the trio has created across the two spaces flanking the heritage-listed (and recently refurbed and reopened) Northcote Theatre makes the new live-music venue even more lively. To the left is a dedicated music bar – compact but cavernous – decked out with walnut timber and two strips of feature lighting that give the whole place a red glow after dark. The sound system punches well above its weight, the tunes not bound by any one genre and ranging from crowd-pleasing to completely unknown, depending on the selector, while the drinks list is diverse enough to keep you around all night. The space on the right, meanwhile, is an ever-changing creative hub.
What drink to order The basics are in the bag at High Note, with ice-cold Melbourne Bitter on tap and a roster of easy-drinking wines with a lo-fi lean (the zippy Rainbow Juice rosé, from Basket Range winemaker Gentle Folk, is as fun as it sounds). But creep into cocktail territory and you’ll find remixed classics that deserve your attention, even if the bar’s packed wall-to-wall and you have to wait a while for it to be shaken up. Our pick of the night-starters is the Chin Chin, a bitter, citrusy delight that blends Cynar (a bittersweet Italian amaro liqueur) with aromatic chinotto soft drink and orange; for the early hours, there’s the Sexy Martini made more alluring by its briny, snacky garnishes (big gordal olives and a guindilla pepper).
A selection of drinks at High Note in Northcote, Melbourne
A group enjoying pizza at High Note
What to pair it withThe pairings of the edible variety include bar-snack stalwarts like charcuterie and oysters, and eventually takeovers by local food spots. But those of the audible variety are what you should really be here for. No matter whether you’re a diehard fan of the music scene or just getting acquainted with all it has to offer, accessible year-round programming by a trio of industry experts will ensure there’s something for everyone. We’re talking all-out electronica, house and soul stylings, and everything in between. Keep up to date on the gig happenings – from back-to-back DJ sets on vinyl and digital decks to intimate live gigs – on the High Note website. 
Why we love it This is not just a bar. In High Note’s more sizeable secondary space – to the right of the theatre on the corner of High and Bastings streets – is what the team calls a “shapeshifting” room. As they settle in, it’ll come to host live music, events, workshops, exhibitions and maybe even a record fair, adapting to what the music community wants.
Regular’s tip Already, though, that secondary space has become known for turning into a bit of a rave cave on the odd Friday or Saturday night. That may be because a gig or event at the theatre has kicked into overdrive or the party has trickled over from the bar, or both.
A DJ in action at High Note in Melbourne
The showpiece sound system at High Note
Don’t leave without Admiring the showpiece sound system – there’s more than meets the eye (and ear) here. High Note co-owner Umut Turkeri is also the co-founder of Hope Audio, and he takes sound very seriously. So, he decided to restore a set of vintage Altec Lansing horns – which once hung in the Sydney Opera House, of all places – and install them in the bar. It’s his way of paying homage to the brand’s mid-century Voice of the Theatre speakers, which true audiophiles know as one of Altec Lansing’s most famous products.
Who to takeIt’s really one for those audiophile mates of yours to nerd out at, appreciating what a tricked-out sound system can add to a bar experience. And, in what the team calls “the cherry on top” of High Note, every track passes through a special edition Condesa mixer: “Expect the sound to be equal parts serious and spiritual”.
Inside Northcote's High Note
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In partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
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Tomas TelegrammaTomas is a food, drinks and culture writer, and former Broadsheet Melbourne editor.
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Drinks DirectoryCasual catch-upAfter work drinksBarSpecialty BarOutdoor areaMelbourne – Inner NorthParty vibesGreat tunesNon-alc OptionsKiller cocktailsMelbourne
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