Clubhouse Malvern

Seasoned cafe operator Julien Moussi (Northcote’s Tinker, and Fitzroy’s Bentwood and many others) likes to play golf, but he’s even more into what follows playing 18 holes: what golfers call the 19th hole – drinks at the clubhouse.

Clubhouse Malvern captures that post-game feeling. It’s a place to come together, have a yarn and maybe even celebrate a win.

Six tonnes of concrete was poured to make the bar – a focal point. This clubhouse spans 260 square metres; it caters for 80 people inside, 30 out front, and 25 in the sun-dappled courtyard.

Moussi’s own Inglewood Coffee Roasters supplies the coffee, and the menu plays the usual hits such as panna cotta, hotcakes and smashed avo. There are a few diversions, though.

Moussi’s mum’s lamb kofta makes an appearance, with naan bread, beetroot hummus, sumac labneh, spiced chickpeas, cherry tomatoes and watercress. There’s also burrata, savoury granola, mint, basil and tomatoes on sourdough. And “maple crunch” porridge with cherry labneh, plums, pistachios and puffed brown rice.

It wouldn’t be a true Clubhouse without a few drinks. The 19th is an aptly named mix of spiced rum, butterscotch schnapps, espresso and filter coffee. The Hole In One features gin, elderflower, lemon juice and sparkling wine. The Clubhouse Bloody Mary is a great boozy brunch accompaniment.