Melbourne was my second stop after Sydney and I found more of the same in terms of availability and pricing when it comes to Bloody Marys.
But I gave it a shot and ordered one at the Melbourne Central Lion Hotel.
And I will let you in on a little secret: The Central Lion is not really a hotel!
Did you know that many bars are called hotels in Australia?
The reason dates back to late nineteenth century when liquor legislation forced pubs to also provide accommodation. The presence of a few rooms (rarely used) and the “hotel” name then gave some impression the rules were being followed. Many venues still carry this tradition today. (For more info, check out the Australian Hotels Association here.)
Anyway, on to the Bloody:
Spice: Not very.
Mix: Made with tomato juice worcestershire, and spices (I saw them hand mix behind the bar)
Chaser: None.
Fixin’s: Celery
Price: Wasn’t listed on the menu, so unknown, but likely not cheap!
The verdict? A cool little “hotel,” but when you’re in Australia, I highly recommend you try out some of the ciders they serve instead, or an ice-cold Carlton Draught!
Out For Bloodies 