Purple Pit will be intimate and romantic located beneath the iconic Gothic Queens and Collins building.
Renowned restaurateur and entrepreneur Maurice Terzini, known for his successful ventures such as Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, RE, and Jacksons on George, has joined forces with seasoned drinks expert Joe Jones, recognised for his accolades at Romeo Lane, to unveil their latest creation – Purple Pit. Set to open its doors in early December, this basement cocktail bar promises to bring an authentic disruption to Melbourne’s buzzing bar scene.
Taking inspiration from iconic European hotel bars such as Harry’s Bar in Venice, the American Bar in London, and PUBLIC Hotel in New York, Purple Pit aims to create a unique and memorable experience. Maurice Terzini, fresh from a successful bar residency at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, collaborates with Joe Jones to blend bartending expertise with a touch of European elegance.
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Dubbed as “Harry’s Bar goes punk,” the intimate and romantic cocktail bar will be located beneath the iconic Gothic Queens and Collins building. Co-founder Joe Jones expresses excitement about creating something new for the city, stating, “This place is for everyone to join in on what we love, and we’re humbled to have been afforded the opportunity to contribute to the community by sharing what we love doing with you all.”
Known for his euro-centric modern cocktails and classic interpretations, Joe Jones brings his expertise to Purple Pit with a tailored menu that includes highlights like “Ticket To Ride,” a half martini served straight from the freezer with a 90ml Champagne serve, accompanied by a spoonful of Caviar atop a burst of Kochu Creme fraiche.
The food menu, described by Terzini and Jones as “Champagne food,” features aperitivo and late-night indulgence. Hero dishes include in-house made Calzone with alternating fillings and traditional flavour profiles like Tomato Tartare brushed in shio koki.
Collaborating with Daniel Dalla Riva and Filip Bjazevic of Latitude Group and Studio Massive for the design, Purple Pit combines brutalism with overt lux textures. The interior design provides a contrast that embodies Terzini and Jones’ love of European hotel bars through an alternative lens.
Purple Pit, launching in early December on the corner of Queens and Collins Street, promises more than just a bar. With Maurice and Joe’s shared love of art, fashion, and music, the soundtrack curated for the venue is set to be seductive, post-punk, romantic, and warm. The music programming, launching in early 2024, will feature a mix of acoustic and electronic-based live performances.
Speaking about the journey of the partnership, Jones concludes, “The amount of mutual respect and shared vision between us has helped us see this project through a truly lengthy journey, and we couldn’t be more excited to have it be at this point.”
Purple Pit, located at 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 3:00 pm to 1:00 am. For more information, visit purplepitbar.com.
