BEST BAR TEAM Union Electric

A great all-rounder bar is driven by an all-star team – and the rooftop doesn’t hurt either

A PARTY-STARTING BAR, with a rooftop, smack in Chinatown – what business does Union Electric have being really, really good? A brief glance at the team CV quickly obviates any doubt that the narrow alleyway bar would be anything but legit, starting with bossman Huw Griffiths, who’s clocked time at major players like Madame Brussels and Collins Quarter. He and his business partner, Shane Whiteley, have taken that depth of experience and built a team around it. The bar champions fresh produce, each day pressing, juicing and infusing all manner of fruits, herbs and botanicals to give extra vivacity to cheeky Tiki cocktails and highballs (remember those?). Union Electric’s team is ceaselessly energetic, a tight-knit crew whose bonhomie and affection for each other spreads over and across the bar. You’d be hard pressed to find a group more welcoming and accommodating towards their customers and each other. The team empowers the passions of individual staff, which is why for a good-times venue they’ve got a formidable wine list, and they promote from within – for example, with Ella Neilson ( above) being tapped to manage the new upstairs gin garden. 13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne 3000. 0450 186 466. unionelectric.com.au.