Legend has it, the man in charge of Armadale’s Coughlin’s Dairy built a rooftop on his property in the early ’40s so he could drink his daily glass of milk with a sweeping view.
Around 80 years on, the milk has stopped flowing – and Nick Foley and Andrew Savvas (also owners of Camberwell wine bar Gloria’s) have resurrected part of the former dairy as double-storey bar and rooftop Harvie.
It’s a choose-your-own-adventure spot. Behind the heritage-listed frontage on street level (once a milk bar), nestle by the beautifully curved window and watch the world go by. You can also cosy up by the fire in the courtyard, which is the venue’s largest space. Or check the Harvie website for the next sunset time and head upstairs to the slimline rooftop for spectacular views of the neighbourhood as the sun fades. Still to come in the not-too-distant future is an art gallery and a tiny cigar bar (on a second rooftop).
Harvie’s pièce de résistance, though, is the means by which you get to the rooftop: a remarkable, terrazzo-covered spiral staircase that is drawing crowds already. “It’s wild,” says Foley. “There’s a new angle to admire every day. People deserve to see it.” And during the day, a circular skylight floods the staircase with natural light.
Food-wise, the hero is an overflowing lobster-and-prawn roll that’s already so well-liked that locals are calling up for takeaway. Plus, there’s also build-your-own cheese and charcuterie boards, spicy smoked-paprika hummus (made by Savvas’s mum), jamon croquettes, and a decadent duck-and-cherry pate.
Cremorne-based furniture store Arthur G fitted out the space in timeless, sophisticated styles. It’s in line with the moderne-style architecture – rounded corners and smoothed white walls – with a custom couch by well-known designer Diane Bergeron.
Harvie
109 Wattletree Road, Armadale
Hours:
Tue to Thu 3pm–11pm
Fri & Sat 1pm–12am
Sun 1pm–10am
harvie.bar
21 Jul 2023
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