Rutherford's Corner bar in Malvern East thinks local (and looks fabulous)

• New bars flow into Melbourne's east after dry zone laws phased out

With its tiled walls, brickwork and jaunty awning, Rutherford's Corner looks like it's been a pub its whole life. But before the Malvern East bar opened in January, the building was used as an electrical showroom and office.

Now, it's a meeting place for locals as they jump off the train or walk the dog, and its own kind of showroom: for spirits brewed a few kilometres away, beers from Dandenong and wines from family-owned operations.

"In Malvern East, it used to be that you'd have to go to Glenferrie Road or Chapel Street if you wanted a drink," says owner Antony Bristow. "The only real places you could get tap beer around here were pokie-type venues."

The former wine sales rep is trying to offer the same relaxed atmosphere and prices as a pub, but with an eclectic line-up of drinks that showcase small Australian producers. It puts a literal spin on the local watering hole.

Cocktails from manager Rachael O'Flaherty (ex Hotel Esplanade) are between $16 and $20 and might include the Sunny Arvo Spritz, featuring Three Foxes aperitif made in Heidelberg, blended with ginger ale, basil, citrus and strawberry.

Tasting paddles of gin show off examples from Braeside, Brisbane and Yackandandah.

The 50-seat venue is spread over two levels. Downstairs feels like a public bar thanks to timber, exposed brick and tiled floors.

Upstairs is more plush, with wainscoting, velvet armchairs in various shades of green and illustrations of tropical scenes that together create a salon atmosphere.

Bristow, who owns the bottle shop next door, is delighted he took the plunge into bartending, even if it took more than two years to get it open.

Open Wed-Thu 3pm-11pm, Fri-Sun noon-11pm

1945 Malvern Road, Malvern East, rutherfordscorner.com