Hamish Goonetilleke unveils new hospitality group ‘Liquid Living’

Hamish Goonetilleke – owner of Beneath Driver Lane, Rum Diary Spiced Rum, and until recently, Rum Diary Bar – has announced he will combine all operations under the group banner Liquid Living.

The hospitality group plans to grow their Melbourne operations, and further establish themselves as purveyors of leading food and drinks venues, with several new locations in the pipeline for the second half of 2019.

Bistro Garçon (previously Garçon Paris Steakhouse, Entrecote City, Prix Fix) will be the first venue to join the group, with Goonetilleke also enlisting head chef Matt Franklin (ex Le Parisien) and Clive Dornan (ex Papa Goose) to shake up the venue.

“The concept is Fashion, Paris in the ‘80s – we’re bringing back champagne saucers and the ‘joie de Vivre’ attitude which was famous of the era,” said Goonetilleke.

“Kitsch meets chic design elements will be seen throughout and an only French soundtrack will tie the true escapism together and take you to another place, a better place.”

The food menu will shift away from a classic French bistro-style to a “current” and more rustic offering, to accommodate a more flexible style of dining.

A considered wine list featuring an array of French wine and Champagne, as well as nouveau-traditional cocktails featuring brandy’s, French fortifies such as Mistelle send Pine au des Charents designed to be enjoyed as a bar drink or with food.

“I’m really excited about these spaces and the way customers can use them – from the front takeaway coffee window, to the soon to be introduced, takeaway larder featuring charcuterie and cheese; to the bar area with fortified French wine cocktails and aperitifs with a select bar menu; through to the fantastic bistro area separated by 5 steps, there should be a sense of occasion walking up those step,” Goonetilleke added.

“It’s a great opportunity to shape our offering to the guests needs, and you can’t beat the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street as a location.”

Goonetilleke also revealed that upcoming projects for Liquid Living include an Italian aperitivo bar and a home for Rum Diary Spiced Rum – featuring an interactive ‘experimental test kitchen’ in the CBD.

Bistro Garçon is set to launch in early August at 6 Alfred Place, Melbourne.