Solace

When the Croft Institute closed its doors in 2020, many thought it was the decades-long finale for the venue known for its science-lab themed parties and alcohol-loaded syringe shots. A hallmark of Melbourne’s iconic laneway bar era, the illustrious Croft was the latest iteration of a hospitality lineage going back as far as 1985, with the space occupying a special place in Melbourne’s cultural memory bank. 5 years later, Melbourne’s most hidden bar is back as Solace. Nested at the very end of Croft Alley amongst Melbourne Chinatown, the Bunsen burners and test tubes have been swapped out for high-end speakers, eclectic lights, underground DJs and natural wine. It’s music-oriented; walking into the ground floor, you’re captivated by the nods to Bauhaus design, intimate listening space, and nods to the venue’s colourful past. The main bar’s impressive feature wall and funky drink selection is married up to the suave DJ booth - a core aspect of Solace’s offering. Scaling the flight of cavernous stairs onto the nightclub floor, you’ll be struck by a state-of-art sound system and small, intimate bar. The space caters to electronic music of all styles, with a constantly stacked roster of the best in local and international talent. The sound is Funktion-One, a world-renowned speaker system with a club music legacy spanning decades. Solace is the only venue in Australia with their latest speaker system, the Evolution 2, installed on their dancefloor. The team behind Solace are newcomers with a rich history in record label management, event hosting, and film. And it shows, with a whole dancefloor catering to production classes, label and EP launches, and film screenings when the vibe isn’t raucous. For the drinks, there is a focus on classic fun and local produce. The wine list leans local and independent, but there is space for a nice Champagne or Sangiovese. Solace is local and for the community, aiming to be a landmark for Melbourne’s electronic music scene, and add to the vibrant venue ecosystem that has defined this city as one of the finest in the world.