A mover and shaker in the drinks world, Andy Chu has worked the stick at some Melbourne’s defining cocktail bars – including The Everleigh and Collingwood’s 12-seater Above Board. Now, armed with plenty of know-how and one impressive back bar, Chu is defining the drinks scene his own way at his CBD whiskey and cocktail hangout, One Or Two.
Here’s Chu with what he likes to drink when he’s drinking Victorian, and what you might find on the shelves at One Or Two.
The last three delicious things I drank were…
The Gibson Martini from Apollo Inn in the CBD. Freezer-cold, crisp, a little saline, and great texture.
White Flowers vermouth from Saison Aperitifs, owned by Dave Verheul, who’s also part owner of the legendary Embla. It’s floral, clean and complex, and a shining example of a light Australian vermouth.
A cup of hand-filtered coffee from Calere Cafe in Fitzroy. Great space, warm hospitality, and great attention to detail in their coffee program.
As far as I’m concerned, the defining place to get a drink in Victoria is Embla. The CBD has a wealth of great watering holes and eateries, but Embla holds a special place in my heart, especially for its extensive drinks program and standout wine list. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is spot-on, and the staff are wonderful – from front-of-house to the kitchen.
When someone hands me a drinks list, I usually do a quick scan to see if there’s anything I recognize or want to try, but I always prefer to chat with someone and ask what skin-contact wine they’re pouring. Shout out to Momento Mori and their Staring at the Sun; it’s a great skinsy blend that never disappoints.
And nothing beats a good glass of orange wine as an aperitivo.
The Victorian spirit I’m loving most right now is Four Pillars Gin. They’re consistent, delicious and always fun.
There’s no better value on a wine list or in a bottle-shop in Victoria than Glou in Collingwood. They source wines from local wineries with a focus on minimal intervention winemaking. Exactly how it should be. Everything’s poured from a tap system which is such a clever concept; it cuts down on packaging costs and waste without compromising quality. The best part? You can grab a glass bottle, fill it up, drink it, and enjoy it, and then you can come back the next day to refill. Simple, fun, and totally sustainable.
My favourite place to buy booze is City Wine Shop. Since I’ve started working in the CBD, I’ve really come to enjoy stopping by to grab a bottle, whether it’s for a dinner party or just something to take home. They’ve got a great range of wines, from classic regions to standout bottles from the local scene. Plus, their selection of spirits and aperitifs is just as impressive.
I’d love to see people brewing more lambic beer in Victoria. There’s just something about that funk and complexity that hits different, especially in a place like Victoria where the weather sets the mood perfectly. Honestly, we need more yeasty beer on the scene. I’m a big fan of wild-ferment beers.
My guilty pleasure in the fridge/drinks cabinet/at the bar is a generous pour of Lagavulin 16 Year Old. I really enjoy a quiet dram of this heavily peated Islay Scotch. It’s not for everyone, that intense peat aroma can be a challenge for some, but for me, it evokes the feeling of a forest. Think campfire and s’mores, you know? There’s something grounding about it. Deep, smoky, fun.
For me, the most inspiring person in the Victorian drinks world is, and I might be biased on this one, but I want to shout out Michael Madrusan, because not only did he create the incredible cocktail bar The Everleigh, where I was humbled to work for almost four years, but he also inspired the industry in a much bigger way. In 2015, he founded Navy Strength, the first clear ice company in Victoria, which has since played a major role in elevating the standard of beverages across the state.
Through his work, he helped more consumers understand the true value of fine drinking. A solid block of clear ice might seem like a luxury in a drink, but if the goal is to deliver a better overall experience, it’s something we should truly appreciate.
Find Andy Chu at @one.or.two.melb, 8 Celestial Ave, Melbourne, and @chu.andy.chu.