Beneath Driver Lane — Restaurant in Melbourne

Unprofessional management and discriminatory treatment

I am compelled to share my recent experience at your establishment, and unfortunately, it is with great disappointment that I write this review. It pains me to say that the decline in the overall quality of your establishment is glaringly evident, and it is primarily attributed to what can only be described as poor management.

Last week, my two friends and I arrived promptly when your door was open, eager to enjoy a pleasant afternoon. Initially, a female worker welcomed us warmly, even joking about being the first customers and extending the courtesy to choose our drinks. However, our positive start took an abrupt turn when we encountered a male bartender( maybe manager), presumably a manager, whose actions left us feeling targeted and, quite frankly, discriminated against.

Despite the open door and the invitation from your female employee, the male bartender insisted that the establishment was closed, accusing us of arriving early. When I inquired about the opening time, he vaguely responded with "now" and suggested we find a seat. This initial confusion was manageable, but it set the tone for an increasingly unpleasant experience. He then pointed to the 2 booths at the far left side saying we cant sit there as they are reserved...however we can sit anywhere else.

We chose a smaller booth on the total opposite side as the bartender pointed to suggested, only to be informed by the same male bartender that we couldn't occupy the booth at the end, as it was reserved. This contradictory information left us puzzled, but we complied and selected an alternative booth. To our astonishment, a mere five minutes later, another male bartender approached us, instructing us to vacate our chosen booth, citing a potential need for it later. Booths that did not have any reserve signs on them.

This arbitrary decision seemed entirely unwarranted, especially given the emptiness of the establishment and the dubious explanation that the booth might be needed for a larger group. We felt targeted and discriminated against, as it became increasingly evident that the rules were selectively enforced against us.

Due to the mishandling of this situation, we opted to leave the premises without making any purchases. We had intended to spend $90 on three $30 drinks, a contribution that would have covered the wages of three staff members for the hour. Instead, your establishment lost both revenue and the opportunity to foster positive customer experiences.

The service we encountered was nothing short of terrible, leaving us upset and bewildered. I sincerely hope that you address these issues promptly, as such negative experiences can have a lasting impact on...

Beneath Driver Lane – A Moody, Magical Cocktail Experience

What a cool and atmospheric bar. Beneath Driver Lane is tucked underground in the CBD, and the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something special.

Interior & Entry: Entry is via a large, sensor-activated door that feels like the gateway to a secret. Once inside, you descend the stairs into a moody, dimly lit basement bar with stone walls, candle-like lighting, and a layout that balances intimacy with buzz. Seating includes high tables and bar stools that feel both casual and sophisticated.

Drinks & Service: The bartenders here are true mixologists, crafting cocktails with finesse and flair. Every drink we ordered was visually stunning and perfectly balanced—we tried quite a few different cocktails and honestly could’ve kept going all night. Each one felt like a mini work of art, and watching them being made was half the fun.

Food: We started to get a little peckish and ordered:

Reuben Grilled Sandwich: Delicious and comforting—crispy bread, tender meat, just the right amount of melt and tang.

Fries with Aioli: Hot, crispy, and addictive—perfect bar food to go with the cocktails.

Toilets & Safety: The restrooms were clean and well-maintained. I also really appreciated the thoughtful “mint signal” safety initiative—if you're ever feeling unsafe, you can discreetly hand a mint to the bartender for help. It’s comforting to know places like this are thinking about their guests' safety.

Atmosphere: The blues music playing in the background gave the space so much soul. It was the right volume—present but not overpowering—and created an ambiance that felt both lively and laid-back. The temperature inside was comfortable throughout the evening.

Location & Access: It’s best to park nearby and walk, as it's in a busy central area with limited immediate parking. That said, the stroll is worth it—the bar feels like a little escape from the world above.

Overall: A solid 10/10 experience. I’ve already flagged it as a place to return to soon. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a unique night out, Beneath Driver Lane delivers style, substance, and...

The worst experience I've had in a bar. BE AWARE!

Extreme levels of unprofessionalism from Zach the Bar Supervisor and a female bartender/host, last Thursday night whose name has been missed.

I normally never put a bad review, but customers be aware the team are unfriendly. It made sense when I read all the negative reviews of the bar that they have a tendency to treat their customers aggressively and with rudeness. I came to Melbourne for a work meeting from Sydney and thought the 4.7 stars had given testament of BDL being a bar to experience while my time in Melbourne. However I had left there feeling worse off from the experience.

The female bartender had an aggressive attitude when greeting us at the door. Her genuine vibe had made us felt most unwelcome. Upon her explaining the drinks to us, she was not very clear and it came across as a novice bartender. From there I spoke to Zach the supervisor who had a great chat with me about the person I was with. From there I collected my drink and headed back to speak with the person I was with and for the next hour or two we were disturbed by the bartender and her colleague about 6 times despite us only buying one cocktail.

It reached to the end of our night, where we decided to leave the venue, however the person I was with needed to go the bathroom. When she had went, the bartender had accompanied her to the bathroom and for 10 minutes shared the details of the conversation I had with Zach standing in the bathroom, placing her in a very awkward position.

Her pathetic attempt was not able to impact the relationship with the person I was with, with the most inappropriate thing of the. bartender wanting to connect with her on socials.

I tried to reach out to Zach and discuss this with him, however he did not want to communicate.

Feel free to connect with me if you want to know more about the...