One-stop tipple shop – Eat Drink West

New tastes and old world charm

A SPACE that takes inspiration from merchant spice traders, old-world ships and warehouses, Roy Hammond is the new kid on the Armstrong Street foodie block.

With a focus on Australian and international gins that will “spark conversation,” owner Brian Taylor said Roy’s is a place for families and friends to connect, enjoy each other’s company, and tuck into modern Asian cuisine amongst cozy timber beams and floorboards.

“Our point of difference is our strong, extensive range of gin for people to learn about and experience, and whisky and wine,” he said.

“We’re a one-stop-shop for drinks; all types of beer, cocktails, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. In winter, we’ll focus on whiskeys.

“It’s an opportunity to taste things you may not have been able to taste before and talk about them.”

Bringing life back to a building which many will remember as a bike shop, Roy’s takes its name from another business that operated in the ‘Hop Lane’ precinct; Roy Hammond Signs.

“When we redevelop a space, I get a feel for the building and its history so I’m sympathetic of that heritage with my design, and that’s how the Roy Hammond name came about,” Mr Taylor said.

“We have such a beautiful Roy Hammond sign in the laneway window with special gold-leaf artwork on it.

“People are quite amazed by the building; a hidden gem they didn’t realise was there because there hasn’t been anything in there for over three years.”

Having opened last month, Mr Taylor is excited about what’s to come for the venue, and is ready to prepare the diary to host more drink-centric events.

“We want to run some classes where people can gain a basic knowledge on different spirits and drinks, and we’re already running a Gin and Tea session on Saturdays.

“They’re going really well. Whatever gin we use in the class, we have an ambassador from that brand come up take people through it, mixing gin and tea,” he said.

“Not many people do this, so it’s gaining traction with people out of Melbourne, and we really want to engage that Melbourne and European experience of indoor-outdoor hospitality.”

Open from afternoons into the evening on such a prominent corner, Mr Taylor hopes Roy’s will be a relaxed social hub.

“We want it to be a hive of activity, where people can pop by to enjoy it during the day.”