How would you describe the Bonny experience to someone visiting for the first time?
Bonny is the perfect bar for a cosy, intimate moment. You feel invited as you indulge in unique cocktails, moreish bar dining, welcoming service, moody music and a touch of magic. There’s a lil’ something something for everyone!
Who are the faces behind Bonny? Can you share a bit about your team and what brought you all together?
Adam Betts: Around 15 years ago, I stumbled across a bar in San Francisco that had Negroni on tap. I loved the concept and kept it in the back of my mind to open a cocktail bar in Melbourne one day with lots of cocktail taps. I started Bonny in 2020, and we feature 30 taps of cocktails, wine and beer. All the cocktails are made in house using the highest quality local ingredients and batched into kegs under nitrogen pressure.
Ez Yiap: I joined Bonny after meeting Adam one big night out in Fitzroy. We instantly clicked and I loved the Bonny ethos, atmosphere, and the focus on showcasing what local is all about.
What drew you to running Bonny, and what do you love most about being part of the Brunswick Street community? Is there a story behind the name?
Adam: I have been in the Fitzroy community for around 10 years, the allure of its world class yet rustic food and drink scene drew me in and I have never looked back. After brewing beers for more than a decade, I decided to go back to my hospitality roots, take over the lease of an old restaurant and renovate it into a bar. The word “Bonny” for us relates to a combination of its Scottish and French origins to loosely mean lovely, simple and good. That perfectly sums up the vision I had for the bar.
Ez: Hanging out at Bonny, I instantly felt a part of something special and that’s what I want everyone who walks through our doors to feel. Brunswick Street is all about character, charm, curiosity, cool and chaos. All of that comes together at Bonny and it provides endless entertainment, value and community.
Bonny has a strong focus on local and independent producers. Why is that important to you, and how do you help guests discover something new?
Australia has an immense amount to offer in the drinks space. Long standing in the craft beer scene, expert wine making and now with evolving homegrown spirits, we have even more reason to be proud to promote Australia’s offerings.
Often, people default to ordering well known international brands, the common mainstays of every other bar. There’s nothing wrong with that. We just love providing an introduction to imbibe differently. We talk people through that familiarity and invite them to try an Aussie alternative. I’ve never had someone disappointed in the range on offer.
Sustainability is a key part of Bonny’s ethos. How do you put that into practice, and what does it mean to you day to day?
When fitting out Bonny, sustainability was a key factor taken on board. We used reclaimed Tasmanian oak for the tables and bar top. We serve alcohol sourced from local producers. House spirits are purchased in large volume containers to minimise glass bottle usage. Similarly, we have wineries keg wine for us under pressure to keep it as fresh as being bottled without the glass wastage. These are just some of the ways we keep sustainability front of mind.
There’s always something new and interesting happening at Bonny. What goes into dreaming up your weekly events and specials?
We try to balance listening to what the neighbourhood knows and loves, with a dash of daring to be different. For example, steak night is a Bonny tradition. Our customers love it so much we do it twice a week so people can fit it in as a midweek feast or a weekend treat. But we also mix things up like DJ nights on Thursdays and Fridays, with the first Friday each month dedicated to Country Music. We’re always looking to tap into cultural events and love hosting wine tours, bar crawls, tastings and local art exhibitions.
If Bonny had a signature cocktail that summed up its vibe in a glass, what would it be?
The Green Ant Slipper. It’s our take on the Melbourne-invented classic: Japanese Slipper. For our own twist, we make our own green ant liqueur and blend it in with the traditional melon liqueur. Green tree ants from Far North Queensland have a wonderful citrus burst, a very underrated native ingredient.
If you could host a dream event at Bonny, with no budget or limits, what would you plan?
Imagine a Bonny house party. We’ve got a venue with lots of different spaces; it gives that something-for-everyone vibe. From cozying up on a couch, chilling in the courtyard, perching at the bar, or pulling up a sidewalk view. So, it’d be an open door, invite for the whole neighbourhood. We’d be free pouring from all the taps, sending around our famous bar bites, and all the local legend DJs would be spinning records well into the night.
What song would you put on the Bonny playlist to kick off a big night?
I think the beauty is, it depends what night of the week. We host some of the best local DJs on Thursday and Friday nights. Leave it to them and it’s a guaranteed get up and groove good time. That said, any night can be a big night at Bonny.
Is there a place in Fitzroy you always find yourself returning to, or somewhere you’d take a friend visiting for the first time?
Ez: I love that Fitzroy has both charm and curiosity. I find myself at The Rooks Return more often than not for the flirty and the familiar vibes. For a friend visiting for the first time, I’d pull up at one of Brunswick Street’s best people-watching corners, Lola Belle, for a golden hour sip.
When you’re off the clock, how do you like to enjoy Fitzroy?
Adam: The multiple off lead dog parks are a great way to enjoy a sunny day and catch up with friends, exercise the pooch, and I’ll stop by one of the great cafes on the way home. Into the night, I love a BBQ in the backyard of a friend’s Victorian house, or a craft beer in one of the many historic corner pubs.
Is there anything new or exciting coming up at Bonny that you’re looking forward to sharing?
The most exciting update is the new kitchen that everyone is loving. Part of what makes Bonny unique is that we’re a cocktail bar but also do incredible food. The new chefs have taken a Japanese-French inspired approach to the menu, hitting that umami sweet spot with exciting dishes. If you haven’t checked it out yet, regular or Bonny newcomer, you’ll be delighted!
Finally, for someone new to Fitzroy, why should Bonny be on their list?
If you’re new to Fitzroy, Bonny needs to be on your list for an insight into the neighbourhood. You’ll get a taste of what Brunswick Street is all about: good food, fun drinks, characters galore and a community of people passing through the door. You’ll find yourself at home.
📍Bonny Bar: 177 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
🕑 Open Wed – Sun 4 PM to Late
Keen to read more? We’ve also recently shared stories from Public Bar and Suze Wine Bar, two other great venues bringing colour and character to the neighbourhood.
