Science and spirits collide at Curious with Matt Whiley’s new experimental cocktail menu

Melbourne’s cocktail crowd is in for a wild ride, with Curious – the underground bar hidden beneath W Melbourne – teaming up with globally acclaimed drinks innovator Matt Whiley for a boundary-breaking new menu called Curious Matter.

This isn’t your average list of twists on the classics. Inspired by the five states of matter – solid, liquid, gas, vapour, and of course, curiosity – the menu dives headfirst into science-meets-sensation territory. Think theatrical serves, unexpected textures, and cocktails that hit every sense: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.

Signature serves include the Quantum Silk, which kicks off with a lick of an electrified lime leaf that actually changes the way the drink tastes as you sip it. Then there’s Wizz Fizz, a bit of a show-off with its explosive table-side garnish that releases a peachy hit of aroma to complement the stone fruit flavours.

On the more playful end, On Cloud Nine is essentially a mojito you eat – rum, lime and mint whipped into an edible cloud that dissolves on the tongue. And Surface Tension brings the mood with a memory-soaked serve cloaked in rain-scented fog.

To bring this ambitious concept to life, the Curious team tapped Matt Whiley – a bartender best known for pushing boundaries, ditching waste, and building full-on drinking experiences. With venues like Scout (London) and Re (Sydney) under his belt, Whiley is no stranger to doing things differently – often leaning into foraged or repurposed ingredients, fermentation, and big ideas.

Matt said: “The initial inspiration for this menu came from the space itself, Curious as a venue ignites excitement and intrigue the moment you enter it. I had been playing with the idea of creating a science-based cocktail menu for a while as I have always found inspiration in the different states of matter, and upon stepping into Curious I knew it was the perfect venue to bring the vision to life.”

Curious has always leaned into bold ideas and unexpected flavours, and this latest collab is no exception. The hidden entrance, moody underground space, and a mix of live music and snack-friendly plates makes it a solid backdrop for a drinks menu that’s more like an immersive experiment.

Krister Svensson, W Melbourne’s General Manager and Marriott Multi-Property VP of Luxury Hotels Australia, says, “At W Melbourne we pride ourselves with working with the best innovators out there, and Matt Whiley is no exception. His Curious Matter menu is a sensory exploration of scientific discovery and through each cocktail, you delve a little bit deeper into this. It is a journey to be savoured, and we cannot wait for the people of Melbourne to try it.”