Intermission Café and Wine Bar

Step into Intermission, a modern ode to the 1950s espresso and wine bars that once defined Melbourne’s theatre district. Set within the lobby of luxury hotel Le Méridien Melbourne, the space pays homage to its past life as the St James Theatre & Metro, with a bar designed to evoke an Art Deco cinema foyer.

By day, baristas pour award-winning Axil Coffee alongside freshly baked pastries, cakes and a small menu of classics – including a croque monsieur and a steak sandwich with a cult following. Located right next door to the Princess Theatre, it’s an easy stop for lunch, matinees or pre-show drinks.

As dusk settles, Intermission shifts into a dimly lit wine bar with a curated list and bar menu. The fried calamari with smoked whipped ricotta is a local favourite, especially with a crisp glass of rosé. Insider tip: on Fridays from 5pm, the bar runs its cult all-you-can-eat $2 oysters with the purchase of a drink.