Seamstress Restaurant and Bar
113 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Bar
•Within the dark mauve façade of 113 Lonsdale Street lies Seamstress Restaurant and Bar. What was once a former textile factory, 1930s sweatshop, brothel and Buddhist monastery is now home to one of Melbourne’s much loved restaurants and cocktail bar.
Split over four distinct levels, each mirroring the theme of the building, with draping rolls of raw fabric, a multicoloured collection of yarns, scattered Singer sewing machines and silk cheongsams hung from the ceiling which adds a quirky touch to the building’s décor.
The levels consist of The Sweatshop Basement Bar and Yard, Drystore Espresso, Dining Room and Cocktail Bar, each level different to the other.
Located on the edge of Chinatown and in the heart of Melbourne's vibrant East End Theatre District, Seamstress has something for everyone. It’s a quintessential Melbourne haunt, with interiors and a history to match.
From team meetings, long lunches, birthday celebrations and everything in between Seamstress offers everything you need to make your next event truly memorable.
Our function spaces and dining options allow us to cater for a variety of events, with stand-up cocktail style events to intimate private dining experiences.
Both private and semi-private room options are available with AV capabilities on request.
Seamstress Restaurant and Bar Function Rooms
Sweatshop Basement Bar & Yard
In the basement underneath Seamstress lies The Sweatshop Basement Bar & Yard, a New York inspired self-contained function area with an urban and industrial chic vibe. A robust space allowing for complete privacy for sit down dinners of up to 32 guests, to stand up cocktail style events for up to 120 guests. Suitable for any daytime function or evening event from special occasions, corporate events and Christmas parties to networking events and product launches. We offer personal bar service, an extensive canapé and dinner menu with seating and table options to suit any occasion. Available any day and night of the week for exclusive hire.
Cocktail Bar
Perched at the top of the staircase, lies the Seamstress Cocktail Bar, a Prohibition-style bar inspired by the clubs of yesteryear where ice spheres are hand-carved for the selection of premium spirits. Jazz and blues play in the background while dim lighting adds to the venues ambiance, but it’s the colourful array of cheongsams hung from the ceiling that completes the picture. The Cocktail Bar is a perfect venue for networking events, corporate celebrations, milestone birthdays and engagement parties.
Reviews for Seamstress Restaurant and Bar
this.is_melbourne
Had such a great experience at Seamstress. We went with the 3-course meal and each course was thoughtfully curated, packed with flavour, and perfect to enjoy together. The modern Asian fusion dishes were creative without being overcomplicated, every bite was satisfying. The cocktails were a standout too — beautifully crafted and a fun twist on familiar favourites. A special shoutout to their staff for their warm and attentive service. They made us feel genuinely welcomed. Definitely a spot I’d recommend for a special night out in the CBD.
Ananya Anand
I’m someone who goes out to eat for the experience as much as the food and this really delivered. Seamstress is layered in the way Melbourne does best different spaces, shifting moods, and a pace that lets the night unfold naturally. We went with the banquet, which I always prefer. It takes the pressure off choosing and lets the kitchen guide the experience. It starts fresh delicate wontons, bright, clean flavours, and small bites that ease you in. Then it builds into texture crispy elements, punchy sauces, things with a bit more weight and contrast. By the mains, it’s rich and satisfying braised short rib, pork belly, wok-tossed vegetables, all made to share. The cocktails were brilliant and they even did a proper mocktail version, which felt just as considered. And that chocolate cake at the end… exactly what you want to finish on. We had this massive, never-ending banquet and absolutely loved it.
Peter E
Very cool bar/restaurant in the theatre area & just off Chinatown. In an old building the decor is great & matched the vibe so well. Cafe on ground, restaurant up one & bar above - keep an eye out as not much signage. The staff are all very attentive, friendly & helpful. The menu is very good, with a couple of banquet options, but let the staff recommend the dishes for us & the selection was great - wontons, dumplings, prawns & then pork belly & beef with Brussels sprouts to accompany mains. Drink menu had plenty of choices. We will definitely be back, as well as to enjoy the bar first.
Leslie-Lou
Love the Seamstress, we always allow time to visit this wonderful pre-theatre gem, 3 floors to choose from. The top floor is ideal for pre-show light meals and drinks. Only once did we feel what we ordered from the menu, didn't exactly land on our plate. Be mindful of the steep stairs to top bar, once you get there, the rich snugly dim-lit room becomes intriguing, the more you look at the colourful decor the more you see hidden gems and can imagine the original 'seamstress' in its day, however today's version is a very unique atmosphere and experience.
Ouch Mei
A lovely and cozy spot for a date night. The atmosphere is intimate and stylish, perfect for couples. The dishes are beautifully presented, full of flavour, and the prices are surprisingly affordable for the quality. Great service and a relaxed vibe, definitely a nice place in Melbourne for a romantic dinner without spending too much.
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