The Everleigh team to open late-night restaurat Bar Margaux

The tighter Sydney locks its doors, the wider (and later) Melbourne throws its open. A new late-night venue inspired by New York bistros Schiller's and Balthazar is opening in May from Michael and Zara Madrusan, the team behind golden era cocktail bar the Everleigh, and rock dive Heartbreaker.

Bar Margaux will be the duo's first restaurant but it's been on Madrusan's mind since he opened the Everleigh in 2011. Last September, he was approached to look at the basement of Pomodoro Sardo on Lonsdale Street.

The all night licence is the hook. "Closing at 1am doesn't count as late-night dining," says Madrusan, who is promising "real dinner" (steak frites, burgers and mussels) until as late as 3am from Sunday to Thursday, and until 5am on weekends.

Chef Daniel Southern, whose CV includes time at the Vue Group and the late Circa, will be co-ordinating Margaux's French bistro menu and will take over the food offerings of the venues. Marty McCaig (South Press) is building an expansive list of grower and big house champagnes and natural-leaning wines, and Madrusan's will oversee the cocktail program – nothing bottled, all made to order over their pure Navy Strength ice cubes.

Expect a deco look involving white subway tiles, and deep red booths.

Bar Margaux is slated for May, basement 111 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Sun-Thu 4pm-3am; Fri, Sat 4pm-5am.