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Home / Lifestyle

World's smallest bar puts hipster-joints to shame

By Shireen Khalil
news.com.au·
10 Jun, 2018 03:50 AM3 mins to read

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Inside the tiny bar which is just two metres long and 1.3 metres wide. Photo / Supplied

Inside the tiny bar which is just two metres long and 1.3 metres wide. Photo / Supplied

The world is full of bars sure to keep you thoroughly entertained, boozed up or questioning how you ever got there — like the toilet-themed Das Klo Bar in Berlin, where the owner came up with the idea as he was doing his "business".

But then came this unusually-sized Aussie joint which has attracted tourists from all over the world wanting to add yet another, as the saying goes, "neklevel" experience, to their list of global ventures.

Why? because it only fits four of your mates and it has a pretty cool selection of (only) European beers.

So if you ever wanted to cull a long list of forced invitees, this is likely the place for it.

"Sorry mate, it only fits four of us."

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It's also proved to be a hot spot for a first date, because let's be honest, at just two meters wide, it doesn't get any more intimate than this.

You will find the rustic Italian and French inspired bar, Le Bar Europeen, in the bar capital of Australia, Melbourne. However it's location is not the most obvious of places — a glow-in-the-dark minigolf club in Docklands.

Customers enjoying the tiny bar in Melbourne's Docklands. Photo / Supplied
Customers enjoying the tiny bar in Melbourne's Docklands. Photo / Supplied

English-born owner Michael Blyth and his wife Julie came up with the unique concept earlier this year and after just three days of Mr Blyth putting his building skills to great use, it was up and running by Valentine's Day.

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"It looks as though it has been here for about 300 years — that was the look we wanted. I built it from scratch, painting the walls six times over to give it that aged, old feel," Mr Blyth said.

"We get all sorts of people coming in, mainly tourists from the UK and Europe who've heard about us online," Mr Blyth said.

The duo, who wanted to replicate the cute and cosy bar where they had their first date in Italy nearly 20 years ago, said it's great seeing people's reaction when they first walk in.

"Lots of people just giggle as they look around and say how cute and quaint it looks," Mr Blyth said.

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"Most are just shocked at how small it is and say how awesome it looks. They really enjoy it."

Mr Blyth claims that it is the smallest licenced bar in Victoria and possibly the world.

It is two metres long and 1.3 metres wide and has a drinks licence for just four people.

The decor is inspired by an Italian-French style bar and was built in three days by the owner. Photo / Supplied
The decor is inspired by an Italian-French style bar and was built in three days by the owner. Photo / Supplied

It serves up to 12 alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers ranging from $5 to $8 ($5.40 - $8.65) and a few Australian wines. The drinks menu rotates regularly with the Greek beer Mythos and English beverage Old Speckled Hen being the most popular.

Admittedly, with very few people to serve, the couple say they don't make much money. But it's not about the financial gains.

"It's more for the fun of it and for people to have a good time," My Blyth said.

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The bar is open daily from 11am to 11pm, except for Sundays until 8pm.

Fridays and Saturdays are the more popular nights. There's no entry fee but you better get there early if you want to get a seat. Literally. There's only two. The other two have to stand.

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