Vernon Chalker – Bar Owner
Vernon Chalker's apartment perches like an eyrie above one of Melbourne's most famous intersections. The tops of trams are visible as they shuttle beneath his open window. On one wall of the apartment is a gilt-framed photograph of Vernon dressed in dinner suit and cravat camping it up on a lounge in front of a bar. The frame carries the title, 'Monsieur Bon Vivant'. On the opposite wall are the words, 'I LIKE MELBOURNE'. Fun times in the heart of the city: this is Vernon Chalker territory.
As the inspiration behind iconic bar Gin Palace and co-owner of newer venues Madame Brussels and The Order of Melbourne, Vernon is responsible for some of the city's finest nightspots.
'Melbourne has become a much more interesting place to go at night,' Vernon says. 'I like the way the city is dynamic and always changing. Things open and close, different streets change their identity as businesses open and create a new vibe. It is great being involved in an industry where you help provide exciting options for people who come in search of a lifestyle experience.'
Cocktail nights
'When I think of a business, I envisage its personality first. I was interested in setting up a business that would become a Melbourne institution, like icons such as Marios, France-Soir, Florentino.' Gin Palace opened its doors in 1997. It has had the same manager ever since, which Vernon thinks provides the consistency necessary for a bar to become an icon. 'It is a genuine cocktail bar. On a busy night, 60 per cent of our sales are cocktails. We sell lots of martinis, and in fact Gin Palace is the biggest seller of Bombay Sapphire Gin from a single outlet in the Southern Hemisphere.'
Drinks and conversation
'Since we opened, the bar marketplace has boomed. It has been great for Melbourne. There is such a variety of places to go to now, options for every taste. You try to inject your own personality. It is very social, and two of my favourite things are drinks and conversation, so I guess I am in my element. You're open every night, always meeting new people, and everyone is there to have a good time.'
My Melbourne
'Melbourne is my city. You can eat well every day of the week because there is such great quality food at a good price. It can be as simple as, 'Which Vietnamese soup shop has the best stock?' The middle-rung city restaurants are incredibly reasonable, plus I get food from Queen Victoria Market. It is a nice city to walk around, with parks on the periphery of the CBD. Melbourne is friendly, easygoing and there is good coffee everywhere.'
