Traverse Australia and you'll find many wonderful, unique and enchanting places in which to indulge your love of quality beer. Yet we'll wager there's nothing quite like – indeed, nothing at all like – Brunswick's Spotted Mallard. Or, to give it is full title, The Rare & Reclusive Oft Neglected Lesser Spotted Mallard.
For a start, you could easily pass its subtly elegant entrance, tucked a yard or two back from the street and plastered with band posters, without noticing. But, should you not pass by and instead venture in, you're met by vintage furniture and a grand staircase beckoning you upstairs. There, opening up beyond a maître d's lectern, is a cavernous space from another era complete with stained glass domes in the ceiling, copious vintage lamps, chandeliers and glitter balls hanging from all parts, vast antique mirrors, towering plants, a classy bar and a stage that plays host to bands throughout the week. Even the floor is worthy of admiration, put together as it was by the landlord and his family from small pieces of timber.
The experience brings to mind the scene in Goodfellas in which Henry Hill and his wife are led through the club to be given the best seats in the house; yes, simply being inside the Spotted Mallard makes you feel a little special.
Previously home to weddings and receptions for the local Greek community, the 300 capacity venue was reopened by four friends in 2012 as a place dedicated to "live music, craft beer and great food". The first of those comes in all shapes and sizes five nights a week, with trivia taking its place on Tuesdays and Monday the staff's day of rest, while the great food comes from a kitchen headed up by a chef who previously worked at Mamasita's in the Melbourne CBD.
But if you're reading The Crafty Pint then you're mainly here for the beer and it's something the Spotted Mallard does with panache. While most music venues seem happy to take whatever contract is going and line their fridges with Melbourne Bitter cans, here they not only offer nothing but craft beer but offer a selection – on tap and in the fridge – that's never less than colourful. They're big supporters of local brewers, always featuring the likes of unsung heroes such as Glenrowan's Black Dog, and you're as likely to find an imperial IPA among the nine taps as you are a lager.
You can enjoy your beer watching music, eating at one of the vintage tables or booths, or on the balcony overlooking Sydney Road, quite possibly wondering why the hell the Spotted Mallard is so rare, reclusive and oft neglected.
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