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Just Open: Matt Bax's Bar Exuberante, Richmond

Leanne Clancey

Matthew Bax's latest venue evokes a colonial-era Latino hotel bar.
Matthew Bax's latest venue evokes a colonial-era Latino hotel bar.Carmen Zammit

Matthew Bax, the entrepreneurial artist, expert cocktail slinger and creative brain behind cult watering hole Der Raum, has unveiled the newest member of his eccentric family of venues, Bar Exuberante – a cheeky take on a faded, colonial-era Latino hotel bar.

Bax describes the intimate 14-seat bar, housed in a windowless secret room behind his delightfully divey Richmond rum shack Bar Economico, as an affectionate amalgam of "every weird hotel I've ever stayed at in Central America".

Based on the fictitious Imperial Exuberante Palace Hotel, it's like stepping into the private guest bar of a once-fancy Havana hotel circa 1962; dodgy menu typos, champagne crustas and all.

The cocktail menu focuses on Bax-style versions of timeless rum classics (think next-level zombies, mojitos and pina coladas – some of which get the molecular treatment via sous vide and liquid nitrogen) with a handful of not-rum options for those who need them.

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It's clear that Bax thrives on creating an air of mystery, so without giving too much away, let's just say that if you can manage to get a seat, there's a fair dash of quirky fun and surprise to be had, along with some of the best cocktails in town. No bookings – walk-ins only.

Open Tue-Thu 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 6pm-1am.

Bar Exuberante, 438 Church Street, Richmond, 9428 0055, facebook.com/BarExuberante

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