Afloat is getting ready to welcome back visitors to the Yarra River (Birrarung), with the popular floating bar and restaurant reopening on Thursday, 27 August for its 11th season.
This year, the venue is transforming into Yamas Greece, a Greek Islands-inspired experience named after the traditional Greek toast meaning “to our health”. Guests can expect a complete seasonal makeover, from the décor through to the food and drinks.
Returning for her third year, interior designer Emily Jamieson has created a fit-out inspired by the Greek Islands, featuring natural textures, sun-washed terracotta and the region’s signature blue-and-white colour palette.
The drinks menu has also received a Mediterranean twist. HQ Group’s Straight Up Cocktails team has developed a range of Greek-inspired creations, including a reimagined Long Island Iced Tea made with Greek mountain tea, a Moschofilero sangria and an ouzo frozen cola.
“We’ve taken familiar cocktails and reimagined them in a Greek manner,” Head of Straight Up Cocktails Tom Younger said.
Wine lovers can also explore a curated list of local and international drops, with a strong focus on native Greek grape varieties selected by HQ Group Head of Wine Marcus Ellis.
In the kitchen, Executive Chef Paul Dunlop has drawn on his travels and experience working in Greece to create a menu featuring fresh seafood, grilled meats, meze, gyros and traditional Greek desserts, alongside some of Afloat’s returning favourites.
Bookings are now open for tables, banquets and beach club lounges from September, while tickets are also available for Christmas Day dining and the venue’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. The end-of-year event will include drinks, roaming canapés, DJs, live entertainment and front-row views of Melbourne’s midnight fireworks, with this year’s theme still to be announced.
