Waxflower

Waxflower didn’t get the ‘pick one thing and do it well’ memo. Instead, this charming neighbourhood bar just off Lygon Street has not only chosen to do several things at once, but to do an impressively good job with all of them. For starters, there’s the wine list. It features only low-intervention and natural wine, a perfect match with the young, fashionable crowd that fills the peaceful streetside seating on balmy nights. Inside, the focus is as much on the music as it is the drinks. The minimal, timber-forward interior channels the listening bars of Tokyo and has a feature wall stacked with an enormous collection of vinyl, two custom-made speakers and often a DJ who’s given pride of place behind the bar in the centre of the room. The music is as varied as the vinyl collection so there might be jazz or house, disco or psych-rock, funk or ambient, on any given night. Acoustically treated walls mean the sound is clean even when loud, though when the volume does go up, those with ears not as young and fashionable as the crowd might be tested. (Music can be prioritised over conversation here.) 

There are more strings to Waxflower’s bow too, including a menu that leans Mediterranean but can also venture into South America and Japan, and a coffee situation that could go toe-to-toe with any of the better cafes in the neighbourhood. On paper, it might sound like Waxflower is a bit of a showy overachiever. But it’s all very understated, efficiently run, friendly and unpretentious, with a firm grasp of hospitality so that everyone feels welcome, no matter which of Waxflower’s specialties drew you here in the first place.