Polly Cocktail Bar

What Polly Cocktail Bar does

Polly Cocktail Bar, operating as PAVLOU GROUP PTY LTD, is a single-location cocktail bar at 401 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Founded in 1999 by the Pollifroni family, it is positioned as one of Melbourne's first cocktail bars and has operated continuously for over 25 years. The venue features a distinctive 1920s Parisian theme with velvet interiors, a semi-open smoking atrium, and an upstairs private function room, serving 15-20 seasonally refreshed house-made cocktails alongside classics, absinthe (one of Melbourne's largest traditional selections), cigars, wine, beer, and spirits.

The business operates a multi-format revenue model combining on-site beverage service with paid experiential add-ons. These include cocktail making classes ($85-90 per person), whisky tastings across multiple themes ($55-65 per person), absinthe appreciation classes ($55 per person), high tea packages ($76 per person with a minimum of 8 guests), and private function hire with tiered drinks packages ($60-70 per person for 2-3 hours). The company also sells at-home spirit tasting packs, pre-bottled cocktails, and gift vouchers through a WooCommerce e-commerce storefront with PayPal and Google Pay checkout. Marketing relies on organic social (Instagram, Facebook), a YouTube channel, editorial blog content, earned media coverage, and a free membership program.

The customer base spans special occasion celebrants (hens, bucks, birthdays), corporate groups booking EOFY and Christmas events, couples, cocktail and spirit enthusiasts, and casual social drinkers, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts. The operating entity employs 7 people, holds Victorian Liquor Licence 90151565, and reports no parent company, subsidiaries, funding rounds, or external investment.

Name

Polly Cocktail Bar

Legal name

PAVLOU GROUP PTY LTD

Website

https://pollybar.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Polly Cocktail Bar is a single-location, 1920s Parisian-themed cocktail bar in Fitzroy, Melbourne, founded in 1999, serving seasonal house cocktails, whisky tastings, absinthe, and experiential packages for celebration groups, corporate clients, and couples.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cocktail Bar and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Cocktail Bars & Speakeasies (THAFAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cocktail Experiences (Mixology Classes, Cocktail Tours) (THAJAGAG), Cocktail Lounges & Speakeasies (MPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Cocktail bar services
• Private function venue
• Cocktail making classes
• Whisky tasting experiences
• Hens and bucks parties

Headquarters

HQ city

Fitzroy

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. On-site beverage sales: Revenue from cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and specialty beverages sold directly to bar patrons. The bar offers 15-20 seasonal house-made cocktails plus classic cocktails.
2. Cocktail Making Classes: Paid experience classes where groups learn cocktail making. $85 per person for groups of 3+, $90 per person for groups of 2. Includes 3 cocktails, arrival drink, and cheese platter.
3. Whisky Tastings: Guided whisky tasting experiences with 4 whisky tasters and an old fashioned cocktail. Multiple themes available including Around the World, Australian, Japanese, Scottish, Irish, USA, and Straight from the Barrel.
4. High Tea Packages: $76 per person cocktail high tea experience with sparkling wine, sandwiches, cakes, and tea options. Minimum 8 guests.
5. Private Function Room Hire: Venue hire for private events in the upstairs function room (30-65 guests) or exclusive side bar (20-35 guests). Includes drinks packages at $60-70 per person for 2-3 hours.
6. Absinthe Appreciation Classes: $55 per person hour-long absinthe tasting experience with traditional serving method, minimum 2 people.
7. E-commerce - Spirit Tastings and Cocktail Bottles: Online sales of whisky tasting packs ($55), gin tasting packs ($56), and pre-made cocktail bottles. Standard delivery $9.99, free over $100.
8. Gift Vouchers: Gift certificates sold for experiences, valid 12 months from purchase, redeemable for classes or bar visits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Polly Cocktail Bar operates a single 1920s Parisian-themed cocktail bar in Fitzroy, Melbourne, serving 15-20 signature house-made cocktails plus classic cocktails, absinthe, cigars, wine, beer, and spirits. Beyond on-site beverage service, it sells paid experiential classes (cocktail making, whisky tastings, absinthe appreciation, high tea), private function room hire, hens/bucks party packages, and an online shop selling gift vouchers, at-home spirit tasting packs, and pre-bottled cocktails.

Product overview

Polly Cocktail Bar is a single-location 1920s Parisian-themed cocktail bar in Fitzroy, Melbourne, operating for over 25 years. The core offering is the main bar with 15-20 signature cocktails alongside classic cocktails, absinthe, cigars, wine, beer, and spirits. The business extends through experiential add-ons including Cocktail Making Classes, Whisky Tastings (with multiple themed options), Absinthe Appreciation Classes, and At-Home Spirit Tasting packs (Gin and Whisky). Event services include Private Function Room (up to 65 guests), Side Bar Function Space (up to 30 guests), and Photo Booth rental. Party packages target hens and bucks parties with cocktail classes, bubbly experiences, high teas, and drink packages. Retail products include bottled cocktails (Set of Four) and gift vouchers. A free membership program offers exclusive offers and event invites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Polly Cocktail Bar (Main Bar) Walk-in cocktail bar service featuring 15-20 signature house-made seasonal cocktails, classic cocktails, absinthe, cigars, wine, beer, and spirits in a 1920s Parisian-themed venue with full table service. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
• Cocktail Making Class Two-hour private cocktail-making class guided by expert bartenders, including an arrival drink, choice of three cocktails per person, and a cheese platter. Mocktail option available at the same price. Priced at $85 per person for groups of 3+ and $90 per person for groups of 2.
• Whisky Tasting Experience Guided whisky tasting with four whisky tasters per person, expert bartender guidance, and an Old Fashioned cocktail. Multiple themed options available including Around the World, Australian, Japanese, Scottish, Irish, USA, and Straight from the Barrel. Priced from $55 per person.
• Absinthe Appreciation Class One-hour absinthe tasting class featuring four absinthes served traditionally with an authentic absinthe fountain, sugar cube, and water, with a 15-minute expert introduction. Priced at $55 per person with a minimum of 2 guests.
• Private Function Room Hire Upstairs private event space holding up to 65 guests with three large TVs, private bathroom, and balcony area, featuring wood and exposed brick design separate from the main bar theme. Includes drinks packages at $60-70 per person for 2-3 hours.
• Side Bar Function Space Reserved sectioned-off area of the main bar with 1920s Parisian theme, accommodating up to 30 guests with bar stools, couch seating, and standing space. No minimum spend required.
• Hens Party Packages Hen party celebration packages including Cocktail Making Class ($85/person), Bubbly Experience ($450 for 15-30 people with 6 bottles of sparkling and charcuterie board), and High Tea ($76/person minimum 8).
• Bucks Night Packages Buck party packages including Private Room with drink packages ($60-70/person for 2-3 hours), Whisky & Cigar Flight ($55/person), Mad Men Cocktail Class ($85/person minimum 6), and Absinthe Appreciation Class ($55/person minimum 2).
• High Tea Packages Cocktail or tea high tea experience at $76 per person with sparkling wine, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, and fruit. Minimum 8 guests, 2-hour sittings.
• Gin Tasting Pack (At-Home) All Australian Gin Tasting pack delivered to door. Includes five gin tasters (30ml each), Strangelove Tonic, tasting cards, and YouTube tasting video. Priced at $56 plus postage.
• Whisky Tasting Pack (At-Home) Guided Whisky Tasting delivered to door. Includes five whisky tasters (30ml each), tasting cards, and YouTube tasting video. Priced at $55 plus postage.
• Set of Four Pre-Made Cocktail Bottles Set of four professionally made cocktails in bottles (Negroni, Espresso Martini, Martini, Appletini) for at-home consumption, 100ml each. Priced at $67 (originally $72).
• Gift Vouchers Email-delivered gift certificates for Polly Cocktail Bar experiences, valid for 12 months from purchase date and not redeemable for cash.
• Cigar Bar On-site cigar bar with selection of cigars (Perlita, Coronita, Liga 719 Corona, Petit Salomon) smoked in the heated atrium, paired with whisky or rum.
• Photo Booth Rental Event photo booth service at a flat $150 fee for the night, taking four photos and a GIF delivered digitally via QR code or link after the event, including dress-up props.

Quantifiable outcome

• Melbourne's first cocktail bar, operating over 23 years
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Byrdi: Small Melbourne cocktail bar in the CBD with a strong seasonal cocktail program and cocktail class offering. Comparable on cocktail education/experience layer and intimate premium positioning, but at smaller scale and more recent vintage.

Regional players

• The Baxter Inn: Award-winning Sydney whisky and cocktail bar with a hidden-speakeasy feel. Comparable on premium spirit focus (whisky), heritage interior, and small-team operation; serves Sydney rather than Melbourne.
• Maybe Sammy: Internationally ranked cocktail bar in Sydney. Comparable on premium cocktail positioning, bar team quality, and group/function experience, but operates in a different geography to Polly.

Direct peers

• Gin Palace: Melbourne CBD cocktail and gin-focused bar with a heritage speakeasy-style interior. Comparable on vintage 1920s-style theme, spirit specialization, and cocktail-led experience offering.
• Black Pearl: Iconic Fitzroy cocktail bar on Brunswick Street, located in the same immediate neighborhood as Polly. Directly comparable on location, vintage cocktail positioning, award-winning team, and group/function bookings.
• Eau de Vie Melbourne: Award-winning Melbourne speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Meyrick Place. Closest direct analogue to Polly: hidden-venue concept, premium cocktail program, strong press profile, and dedicated cocktail experiences for private events.
• Heartbreaker: Melbourne CBD cocktail and late-night bar with strong group/private event programming. Comparable on cocktail-led offer, function hire, and discretionary late-night customer base.
• The Everleigh: Long-established Melbourne cocktail bar (also linked to Fitzroy/Brunswick Street heritage) with a strong classic cocktail program and high-end event offering. Directly comparable on heritage positioning, beverage focus, and event-driven revenue mix.
• Bar Liberty: Cocktail bar on Smith Street, Collingwood, immediately adjacent to Fitzroy. Comparable on neighborhood bar positioning, natural wine/cocktail mix, and local event-driven trade.
• Above Board: Small, award-winning Melbourne cocktail bar in Collingwood focused on a high-end, reservations-driven experience. Comparable on intimate cocktail focus, small team operation, and premium pricing model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCq6W3JTj3mSNm9I91QOQQ4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/PollyCocktailBar
• Instagraminstagram.com/pollybarfitzroy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polly-cocktail-bar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Polly Cocktail Bar