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Underground CBD dining room
CBD
Night out 3 stops · 5 hrs

The night that gets away from you — in a good way.

Dinner underground, live music you didn't plan on, cocktails until someone says one more. It's a proper night out, not a quick one — budget for three good venues back to back, each with its own door policy.

Underground dinner → live music → late cocktails
The Route Neptune's Grotto1The Press2Employees Only3
7:00 PM
Neptune's Grotto
44 Bridge St, entrance via Loftus Lane — underground Italian
Book well ahead — request a booth for a quieter table
OrderTuna caponata, the focaccia, and share a pasta plus a secondo across the table
SaveOrder to share rather than one dish each — mains are generous, pastas are built for splitting
Book a table Directions
🚶 ~4 min walk
10:00 PM
The Press
1 Bridge Lane — Merivale's live music bar, hidden above the laneway
Walk-ins welcome · smart dress code enforced
Only open Wed, Fri & Sat, 5pm–2am — closed Sun, Mon, Tue & Thu
OrderA martini — it's the house specialty
SaveWalk-ins are encouraged, no cover charge — you don't need a table booking just to get in and listen
Book a table Directions
🚶 ~6 min walk
12:00 AM
Employees Only
9A Barrack Street — New York-style cocktail bar
Reservations recommended Fri/Sat after 8pm & for groups of 5+
Smart casual dress code enforced — no hoodies, caps or sneakers. 5% service charge after 10pm Fri/Sat
OrderThe Amelia (their signature) or a classic Manhattan
SaveWalk-ins are welcome most nights — save the reservation stress for Fri/Sat after 8pm
Book a table Directions
What Locals Say Ratings via Google
★★★★★4.7512 reviews
Neptune's Grotto
Reviewers consistently praise the tuna caponata and pasta dishes, loving the candlelit basement setting — though a few note portions run small for the price.
★★2.5174 reviews
The Press
A visually striking space with praise for the live music and cocktails, though several reviewers flag inconsistent dress-code enforcement at the door.
★★★★4.52,223 reviews
Employees Only
Reviewers highlight the food quality and theatrical service, with the steak and signature cocktails the most mentioned highlights.
Best for Big nights out, birthdays, groups who want to dress up
Best night Wed, Fri or Sat only — that's when The Press is open
Budget Roughly $150–200pp given Neptune's Grotto + EO cocktails
Dress Smart/dressy — both The Press and Employees Only enforce a dress code
What tonight costs, roughly
Neptune's Grotto — shared Italian dinner$70–90 pp
The Press — a martini or two$25–35 pp
Employees Only — late cocktails$45–60 pp
Estimated total$140–185 pp
How'd this route treat you?
Audrey likes honest feedback — good, bad, or worth saying out loud.