Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout — Restaurant in Melbourne

I visited this bar last night with my partner, and as someone who’s followed its opening from the very beginning, I was genuinely excited to finally check it out.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by one of the friendliest security guards I’ve encountered in Melbourne—something that’s honestly quite rare. When we made it upstairs, we were welcomed by (I believe) the manager, who was kind but understandably busy given it was a Saturday night. We asked for a table inside, but it was full, so he seated us outside and said he’d move us inside if a table became available.

Within about five minutes, he came back and moved us to what he said was a better seat. Unfortunately, it ended up being another outdoor spot—this time in a very windy area with no nearby heaters. It was pretty uncomfortable. It took around 10 minutes to receive menus, another 10 to place our order, and during that time we didn’t get table water, the complimentary chips that others seemed to be receiving, or any staff checking in. The table we were seated at was also extremely wobbly and felt like it might collapse.

We ordered drinks and a burger, and surprisingly, the burger arrived before the drinks—which was odd but not a deal-breaker. Ultimately, we were just too cold, frustrated from being moved to a worse spot, and unable to get the attention of any staff. After we finished the burger, I approached the manager to cancel our drinks and let him know we were leaving. He kindly comped the burger, which I genuinely appreciated. Still, I would’ve liked the chance to explain why we were unhappy, or at least be given an opportunity to leave feedback on the spot.

Despite the poor experience this time, I’m open to returning for a second chance. The venue is absolutely beautiful, the staff seem lovely, and the overall vibe has potential.

If I were the owner, I’d strongly consider hiring more staff to ensure quality service, assigning a dedicated host or door person to manage seating properly, and double-checking that all outdoor tables are stable and comfortable. When guests are paying $26 per drink, they deserve not only great drinks, but great...

I’m sure by now you’ve seen Slowpoke Bar popping up all over your feed — and let me tell you, the hype is real. I recently tried their newly launched food menu, and from the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for something special.

The interiors at Slowpoke are next level. The space blends moody, red-hued lighting with raw stone finishes and dark timber elements, creating a setting that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. It’s a beautifully curated atmosphere — intimate, dramatic, and undeniably stylish. The layout is cosy and considered, making it ideal for date nights or low-key hangs where you can actually sit down and enjoy the vibe (not just stand around with a drink).

Currently, the menu is simple but seriously well done. They’re serving just two items: hash brown fries and double cheeseburgers — and honestly, they’ve nailed it. Both dishes are unapologetically indulgent, and exactly what you’d want while sipping on cocktails late into the night. Think crispy, golden fries and juicy, flavour-packed burgers that hit the spot every time. We all agreed: absolute top tier.

As for drinks, Slowpoke sticks to the classics — and they do them very well. Whether you’re into martinis, negronis, or something shaken and citrusy, their cocktails perfectly match the aesthetic: refined, timeless, and effortlessly cool.

Slowpoke isn’t just another trendy bar — it’s a carefully crafted experience that hits all the right notes. Already planning...

Ordered a Club Mate iced tea, it arrived on the table, i was intrigued by the bottle as it had a uniform line of scratches where I presume the bottles of the same pack were rubbing against it but it immediately caught my attention thinking damn this must be old. I took a few sips of it from the glass it was half served in and it tasted stranger to the mate I usually drink so I investigated the bottle further and it turned out it was out of date, expired 25/2/2025. I notified the waiter he came over apologised and offered to replace the drink, and as anyone would expect I think in any circumstance like that, it would be the courtesy of the restaurant to replace the drink free of charge. Simple restaurant etiquete. Instead they replaced it with a drink of my choosing only to find out I ended up paying for it at the end. Had no idea until I did the math in the car later on. The drink was served to me expired, that is a mistake that was made during restock as well as the day it was served to me. Honestly it was a shame to realise it. Hash brown chips were great but burgers weren’t...