Pub of the Week: Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
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Mail Exchange Hotel
Where: 688 Bourke St, Melbourne
Phone: 9903 6880
Internet: www.mailexchangehotel.com.au
SCORE: 13.3/20
OCTOBER 31
VENUE: A thriving, bustling subterraneous pub at the bottom end of Bourke St, the Mail Exchange is but a decade young, and is very much a go-to when footy/concerts is/are at Marvel.
Indeed the curiosity in visiting was on the day of the first Oasis concert and at 11:30 am, the joint was heaving.
Still with a modernness to its look (polished timber floors, comfy couches, well spaced dining areas) on arrival via the escalator (you can take the stairs), a long, brightly lit bar greets you: to the right the sports bar/gaming, to the left a range of dining areas.
Given the Mail Exchange is underground, there is a moody, cool vibe, to the dimly lit dining areas, and an absolute treat is the secluded bar at the very back of the pub.
In essence, the set-up it is one large rectangular space that can be divided into many parts.
Tab: No
Pokies: No
Standard pub grub rules, nothing too complex or over-worked. It’s burgers, parmas, and some pasta dishes in the mains; the entrees offer more variety and interest.
Two menus; all day (smaller) and the lounge more expansive, set it all out.
Mozzarella sticks, pumpkin arancini, buffalo chicken wings form a range of 12 or so starters, all priced mid-teens, with chicken parma ($31), beer battered fish and chips ($31) and pesto linguine, sdt’s, olives ($26) come from a solid mains list.
Beer and wine stick to popular lines, Carlton D $7.1/pot, from a range of Carlton products, e.g, Dry/Great Northern, with very fair pricing on faves like Leo Buring Riesling ($10/pg), Pepperjack Shiraz ($12/pg).
HIGHLIGHT/S:
Main. Pork cutlet, champ mash, broccoli, RWJ ($35). Big, meaty chop, good char (just a tad dry), came with a plentiful supply of veg, and made for a good pub lunch.
Something Different to Eat: Entree: Leek, potato, cheese tart ($16). Nice, rich, sweet, filling starter. Easy eating/good share.
Surcharges: Cards only.
Summary: The Mail Exchange is a solid citizen on the CBD landscape of pubs. Good beer, serviceable pub food, well run and popular.
The Oasis fans were out in force, and adroitly the security at the top of the elevators were ensuring calm prevailed, eight hours before Liam kicked in with ‘Hello’.
And yes, the Gallaghers were as good as reviewed.