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Seamstress Restaurant and Bar

Q: How much does an event cost at Seamstress?

Events at Seamstress start from 0. This may be subject to change due to seasonality, day of the week, duration and your specific requirements. For an accurate quote for your event please send an enquiry or contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.

Q: What type of events can be hosted at Seamstress?

The following types of events can be held at Seamstress: If your specific event type is not on the list, contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts and they will check if Seamstress is able to facilitate your event or will help you find an alternate venue.

Q: How do I find out if Seamstress is available for my event date?

The best way to find out if Seamstress is available for your event date is to send an enquiry through or get in contact with one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts. Availability at many venues around the country is limited so if your date is flexible, please let the VenueNow team know and the venue may be able to provide a range of dates that suit your needs.

Q: What catering / food and beverage options are available at Seamstress?

No food or beverage / catering options have been selected for Seamstress. For more information regarding food and beverage / catering options, please contact a VenueNow Event Booking Expert.

Q: What steps are involved in booking an event at Seamstress?

There are a steps involved in booking an event at Seamstress and the VenueNow team are here to do the heavy lifting for you. Firstly, contact the VenueNow team by submitting an enquiry or speaking to one of our team members online or over the phone. We'll need to collect a few details from you, such as your: - Event type - Number of people attending - Preferred event date & time (and if this is flexible) - Budget (per person or total) - Room layout - Food and beverage / catering requirements - Any other requirements Once we've gathered these details, the VenueNow team will contact the team at Seamstress to check: 1) Can they host the event on your preferred date / time? If not, what are some alternate dates / times? 2) What is the estimated cost based on your event requirements? This process tends to take around 1 business day on average to receive a response from the venue. Once we've received a response, the VenueNow team will contact you as soon as possible. If you're happy with the proposed price and dates / times, the VenueNow team will connect you with Seamstress to finalise your booking (which may include a site visit if you choose to do so). VenueNow provides this service free of charge to you as we are paid a small fee by Seamstress if you book via us.

Q: I have more questions. How do I get in contact?

There are a number of ways you can get in contact: 1) Call the VenueNow team on 1300 647 488 during business hours AEST 2) Contact the VenueNow team via our online chat in the bottom right of the screen 3) Submit an enquiry via the form on the page The VenueNow team usually reply within a few hours during Australian business.

113 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

4.4 (856)

Bar

•

32 Seated

120 Standing

Enquire Now

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

2 Spaces Available At This Venue

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 t...

120

Price on Request

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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 backgroun...

100

Price on Request

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Reviews for Seamstress Restaurant and Bar

Mareska Rambing

June 20, 2025

Initially one of my friends was a bit skeptic about the place, but we all ended up loving it. Nice cocktails - tailor made by the bartender based on each one of us preferences; we loved the corn fitter snack. Interesting interior based on its name. Good service.

Shayan Soroush

June 1, 2025

Great cocktail bar in Melbourne - we had a small group function here and we were looked after well. The finger food was decent, the soft shell crab burgers were something else… unreal. The soup dumplings and the mango/coconut bites were a bit small, even considering they’re finger food.

Riley M

April 23, 2025

Unfortunately my experience here was ruined. The atmosphere of the restaurant is fantastic. The service I received was fantastic. Chris. My server was very gracious and professional. The taste of the food was also quite nice but unfortunately towards the end of my meal I felt a crunch and as I pulled it out of my mouth it seem to be a small bit of glass or glass like material in my food which is quite unfortunate as I was really enjoying myself before this moment I was refunded the cost of the part of the meal that contained this glass like substance although the atmosphere and service was fantastic I am unsure if I’ll be able to recommend this place considering what happened

Richard Little

April 15, 2025

A return visit. The food was fresh and delicious, as good as our first visit. We asked for recommendations on some dishes and ordered a variety of meat and vegetarian. The atmosphere is relaxed & cosy and the staff were friendly and attentive. If you like and appreciate this review please give it a like or a thumbs up so that I know what content to include in future reviews.

Christine Hutchinson

October 16, 2025

We were at Seamstress on a Tuesday early evening for a special birthday treat this week. We had a great time. Loved the atmosphere and decor, the drinks were beautifully presented and extra yum. Shout out to Zac who made them for us. Mandy took our orders and bought our food to our table and generally made sure everything was perfect. We were in the cocktail bar, not the restaurant, and the tasting plate was exceptional !! Excellent choices all beautifully presented and prepared. The pork belly!!!! And even the Brussel sprouts were delicious. That’s a first for me. Highly recommend this place. A hidden gem high up in a historic building in Lonsdale street. Faultless. Thanks !!!