In Review: Rue Bebelons

Posted on February 19, 2010. Filed under: $$: Student friendly/Affordable, Bar, Cafe, In Review:, Night Spot, Strongly Suggested |

After my first feature on Lentil as Anything, I really wasn’t sure which direction to go for my second feature. I knew the feel & vibe of the places I want to introduce you to. Without inetionally going to write up my next spot as a feature, I found myself at Rue Bebelons. A place which a friend introduced me to many moon’s ago.

It was only after I had placed my drink order and started chatting with the friendly bar staff it clicked. I pretty much said to myself “Wait?! This is the place I can use as my second feature.”

I should probably make mention, while my purpose here is to show you – the hidden spots to Melbourne, I am also doing this to uncover some of the best hiddent secrets. I mean, I know that if I’m revealing them to the world, they may not be as ‘secretive’ as they currently are – but I write in good faith that the places I write about will attract the right crowds. I have a wide taste in vibe and feeling I go for – You will see that in good time. Anyway’s, enough of this longest introduction – Let’s cut to the point and unearth another brilliant Melbourne Location!

About:

Rue Bebelons: 267 Lt Lonsdale, Melbourne/03 9663 1700

Rue Bebelons: 267 Lt Lonsdale, Melbourne

Rue Bebelons is definatley a gem tucked away in the big smoke!

The minute you walk in, the staff greet you with a friendly & relaxed appraoch. Upon my initial arrival, I felt like I had been re-united with an old friend. Being that I hadn’t paid this place a visit in a good 12-18 months, It felt good. The staff were busy chatting amongst themselves discussing new cool beverage options. I wanted to visit a place where I could be refreshed with a cool ice coffee (being the place I went earlier for my morning wake up, failed me dismally) – Normally when this is the case, my expectations of the make up coffee place are quite high. (Which I do hate to do, however i’m sure someone out there can relate with me – If you are ever served a bad first coffee, it could very well move your day into a downward, tiring spiral)

Anyhoo, I placed my order with bar staff, Pop Corn (yes, that’s her name! Pretty groovy hey?) and the result – was the Mona Lisa of Ice Coffee’s. For $4.00, this ice coffee was most definaley the BEST I have had in some time. You could taste the amazing zest to the coffee mixed in with the milk, and to make it picture perfect, sprinkled with a few coffee beans on top. I ordered another, not because the first one lacked anything. Simply: I wanted to enjoy it again – and to see if the 2nd would be like the first. And it was! It total random talk, I will say – OH MY WOW WOW! Get you’re walking boots in there on a weekday and ask Pop Corn to make you up a coffee or Ice coffee (what ever your poison is) – I promise, you will leave with a big smile on your face. Just check out the photo!

Simply AMAZING Ice Coffee: Rue Bebelons

Now, as much as I would like to talk about how amazing the ice coffee was, I am sure you are keen to know what finds I came across about this amazing bar/cafe? Good.

When entering and taking those initial moments to look around – you are faced with what seem’s the pandora’s box in location, exterior & interior. From the outside, you see a large glass window, a glass door and you can just make out the larger objects (being bar, furniture and people moving around on the inside) – However when you walk in, you get an automatic sense of a relaxed vibe. Looking behind the bar on the walls sits a beautiful coffee machine (where all the love is made) a set of shelves which is home to the cool beverage offerings (beers, mineral waters, priceless momento’s collected by management and staff over the years) and furthering left, something that made me smile (like I had just won lottery) – Two turntables and a large collection of Vinyl records. Yep! In good direction, there is nothing too modern about this place. When I say “back to basic’s” I mean – back to basic’s. This is the perfect escape place from the outside reality. No wi-fi hot spot, no I-pod hooked up, cash till and no eftpos (so be cashed up if you plan to hang for a few hours, which I assure you – any relaxed body will end up doing)

While staff move around taking and getting customer orders, the turn tables are playing only the best of the best in African, Soul, Jazz, 70’s upbeat funk – and in all seriousness – the list in artists and genre’s go on.

Rue Bebelons - Lounge areaRue Bebelons: Vinyl & Booze feature wall

After finishing my two mighty delicious ice coffee’s, I took some time getting to know the staff and having a look at what other things make up this quirky yet humble relaxed environment. Owner, Kash (also family man) has been the big khanua for coming on 8 years now (in the past was co-partner) then taking on this cafe/bar of groove, funk and basic’ness as his own baby. The feeling with each staff member, is the venue is of a “family” type nature one you’d expect in a family business, when truth betold, it’s a good mix of family with friends.

The staff aren’t at all cocky and owner, is more than generous to customers with very affordable prices. The thing I admire the most, they don’t boast about success or come across to full on about how they operate. The buzz in the air is, honestly – anything goes. As a music legend once sang “Don’t worry – be happy” – this would be a suitable tune for this environment.

Rue Bebelon’s offer’s an extensive cold and hot beverage line up with light meals & snacks. I was able to see the start of the lunch rush, popular choice are the assorted bread rolls (with home made mustard mayo) as any regular will tell you, these are clearly the best home made rolls in Melbourne. They aren’t already prepared – the wait staff will prepare you on on the spot. Other after work snack choices include Pizza’s/Vegetarian & Meat ($7), Bowl O’ fries ($5), Breads with dip ($5) and the bar staff favourite set to make a come back this winter, the seasonal home made soups ($6) I have it on good word the spicey lentil is the one to try!

The hours of operation are pretty decent too:

Opening Times:

Mon – Friday’s opening is: 9am – Saturday’s & Sunday’s; 12 (noon)

Closing times:

Monday’s at Dusk – Tuesday’s, 11pm – Wednesday to Saturday’s 3am

Price Wise:

Food: As briefly mentioned, anywhere from $5 – $10 (light snacks, rolls and soups only)

Drinks: With quite a large collection in beers, prices (for beer) go between $5 – $8, $20 for a long neck of quilmes beer, basic spirits $6.

I was able to try the famous $6 Sangria (also freshly made and chilled) – unlike other places I have Sangria at, this was an explosion to the taste buds. Perfect for a warm/hot day!

Rue Bebelons: $6 Sangria

Keeping up with the simplicity of the venue, this laid back cafe/bar does not have a website. It’s simply by word of mouth and what’s posted through similar websites to The Melbourne Explorer. I will endeavour to keep you posted and updated re: any changes and up coming events. I have promised myself and the staff – I will be a regular.

How to get there:

Walking up swanston street away from Flinders street – going over Collins, Bourke & Lonsdale Street’s you will approach little Lonsdale street. Turn left, and just a few doors down, you will see Rue Bebelon’s. If you aren’t a directions person, check out google maps.

Other photo’s: