Travelling Soul Sister

Once upon a time, many moons ago it was the year 2000.  I worked on Church St Richmond, land of the upmarket furniture stores and office blocks. A short stroll away was Swan Street, back then it was slightly grungy and sometimes a little seedy.  Options for dining weren’t plentiful and entertainment consisted of a trip to Dimmeys department store (now a Coles supermarket) to sift through large piles of cheap homewares, trinkets and clothing. There were quite a few pubs, with nice, but not outstanding food.  Certainly nothing that made you go…….. wow.

Fast forward to 2018 and Swan Street is a major Melbourne hotspot. Cocktails galore, uber cool pubs and petite wine bars offering amazing charcuterie platters and antipasto treats. The street is bustling with people, dining options are abundant and the central location makes it perfect for public transport users.

I found an absolute gem when I came across Fargo and Co. which is located in an old State Bank building at 216 Swan Street Richmond. The venue has been beautifully styled, incorporating the old and the new with modern wall art, ornate chandeliers and industrial features which provide light and airy spaces across the multiple levels.

Fargo and Co has an outstanding cocktail list. The mixologists are experts in their cocktail craft and are happy to mix up something for you if you can’t find what your tastebuds desire on the menu.

A signature cocktail list includes gems like ‘Masterminds Gimlet’ incorporating rose petal hendricks, lime & crème du mûre, blackberry liqueur, rose & citrus make for a drink almost too pretty to drink. Almost 😉

If you are in a sharing mood, you are in for a treat with the tropical rum punch named ‘The Joint Account’.  Captain Morgan is the star, accompanied by his old mates lime, cherry juice, pineapple & maple syrup. It’s served in a glass barrel and perfect for 2-4 people to share.

When I have a drink or two, I get hungry (ok, so I’m always hungry). Fargo and Co. have it covered with a super yummy food menu to compliment the vast array of drinks. Share plates and larger meals are your perfect partner in crime as you make your way down the cocktail list.

Crispy cornflake chicken, spicy fried egg mayo

Jerk salmon on a soft taco with jicama, coconut, pickled chilli

If you prefer your cocktails in edible form then I recommend the coconut cake with pina colada sorbet and vanilla compressed pineapple. It’s like sending your tastebuds on a little Hawaiian holiday. Aloha!

Fargo & Co is perfect for couples, large groups, singles and everything in between.  The delightful alfresco area on the upper level features a larger than life ‘smoking bullet’ wall mural by the incredibly talented artist Rosie Woods. Great Instagram photo ops right there!

Every Sunday Fargo and Co. host a bottomless brunch. Bottomless I hear you say…. that’s right, who could say no to a constant flow of mimosas and prosecco. Yes please. Brunch is  available from 11am-2pm. Cheers to that.

Bottomless mimosas & prosecco $35  

Bottomless mimosas & prosecco + brunch (choice of one item from the brunch menu) $50

Venues such as Fargo and Co. have helped to transform the once bland Swan Street into a Melbourne gem. I highly recommend a visit to explore and discover all it has to offer.

Fargo and Co is located at 216 Swan St, Richmond   |   Ph:(03) 9810 0077

Opening hours are:

Monday – Thursday | 4pm – late

Friday, Saturday & Sunday | 11am – late

For further details, head to the website:  www.fargoandco.com.au