Beneath the streets of Melbourne, W Melbourne’s hidden cocktail lounge Curious is about to shake up the city’s drinks scene with a boundary-pushing collaboration.
Teaming up with globally acclaimed drinks innovator Matt Whiley, the bar has debuted Curious Matter – an immersive new menu inspired by the five states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, vapour, and curiosity.
This isn’t just mixology – it’s a full sensory experience. Guests can expect bold flavours, unexpected textures, and dramatic service rituals that turn each drink into a moment of theatre.
Take the Quantum Silk, which starts with the lick of an electrified lime leaf, changing the flavour as you sip. The playful Wizz Fizz arrives with a flaming, detonated garnish that releases a peachy aroma, while On Cloud Nine transforms a mojito into a delicate edible cloud. For something truly atmospheric, Surface Tension is served beneath a rain-scented fog – less cocktail, more memory.
Whiley, the mind behind world-renowned bars Scout (London) and Re (Sydney), says: “The initial inspiration for this menu came from the space itself, Curious as a venue ignites excitement and intrigue the moment you enter it.”
“I had been playing with the idea of creating a science-based cocktail menu for a while as I have always found inspiration in the different states of matter, and upon stepping into Curious I knew it was the perfect venue to bring the vision to life.”
Curious is at 408 Flinders Lane. Curious Matter will run Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm until late. Bookings: curiousmelbourne.com.
