As the name suggests, Gertrude's Brown Couch is not a place for high heels and high glamour. There are no designer labels here, no faces full of makeup and certainly no handsome men in suits to buy you a drink. But what it lacks in style it makes up for in culture. This cool little pub is quintessentially 'Melbourne'.
It's easy to miss walking down Gertrude St. in Fitzroy; one casual door man in front of nondescript glass doors. Downstairs is a small little pub with wooden seats and couches, beaded lamps and empty gold picture frames on dark walls. The big blackboard behind the bar is worth a read if you're keen to try a jug of 'liquid cocaine' ($25). This mixture of Vodka, AGWA and a full can of Red Bull topped up with Gyspy Cider is sure to keep you lively and talkative. The food is also worth the visit - cheap and delicious. Tuesday is 'Parmas of the world' night, Wednesday is 'Best of India' and Thursday is good old 'Steak Night'. I saw someone scoffing down some nachos when I went, they must have been pretty tasty.
I was there on a Friday night to see a friend of a friend's punk band (as a newbie in Melbourne, I promised myself I'd give anything a try). So after a good quality cider and a glass of Pino Gris, I followed the crowd upstairs and paid $6 to get into a small long room with a stage.
For the first few songs I gripped my glass and tentatively bopped around as the head-banging guy next to me got his piercings caught in his dreadlocks. When I was through my third drink however I felt a bit more comfortable and danced along, giving a confident smile to anyone who looked at me as if I didn't belong... I'm talking about you, girl with the purple hair.
After the band, everyone strolled back downstairs to continue drinking. I stopped halfway down and discovered a cool little outdoor courtyard. A few 30-year-olds sat drinking, smoking and chatting, giving the whole place a house party vibe (think Newtown house party if you know Sydney).
My friends and I found a cozy couch back down in the bar and spent the next few hours getting drunk and talking about everything and anything. There were enough people and some cool music to create a great atmosphere but it was quiet enough to spread out keep the drinks flowing in quick succession.
I went home feeling drunk, full and one step closer to discovering what
Melbourne is all about.
