Neil Perry to open R Bar at Crown

Neil Perry's already vast hospitality empire is set to expand with the addition of R Bar, an all-day deli and bar slinging eggs and pastries at breakfast, and cocktails and caviar at night.

Opening on July 26 in the former Waiting Room site between Rockpool Bar & Grill and the lobby of Crown Towers, R Bar is Perry's answer to the classic New York-style hotel bar.

With its rounded banquettes, velvet curtains, a barrel room for aging cocktails and spirits, a deli counter, chandeliers and a light-reflecting crystal wall, it's "an ode to the Great Gatsby era but with a Rockpool spin", says Perry.

Snacks and cocktails are the main focus. Aside from caviar, oysters, premium tinned fish, cheese and charcuterie, there's a huge selection of retro hors d'oeuvres, including finger sandwiches, devils on horseback, mortadella and asiago skewers and crab cakes. There are also bite-sized sausage rolls and beef and burgundy pie floaters.

Not hitting the spot? There are more substantial dishes too, including caesar or waldorf salads, burgers and rib-sticking sandwiches, such as the Santa Monica-inspired God Mother layered with cured meats, provolone cheese, lettuce, pickled chilli and hot sauce.

To drink, look out for negronis and manhattans aged in-house in sherry and bourbon barrels respectively. There's also a gueridon martini service that sees your choice of either gin or vodka poured and garnished tableside.

R Bar will open Mon-Fri 7am-late; Sat-Sun 8.30am-late from July 26.

Lobby, Crown Towers Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank.