The exquisite interiors of the 1930s Equity Chambers Building will provide the perfect backdrop to Luci's Afternoon Aperitivo, where gin spritzes and mixers will flow and the sweet sounds of jazz will fill the air. Partnering with German gin distiller Monkey 47, Melbourne's latest live jazz spot will serve a specially curated selection of exotic gin cocktails and aperitivi on Thursdays and Fridays from 3pm-6pm throughout summer. Cocktails on offer will include: 

• Spring Spritz - Monkey 47 Dry Gin, lychee liqueur, Yuzushu, sake, soda
• Monkey Punch - Monkey 47 dry gin, apple, cranberry, lemon earl grey cold brew
• Sloe South - Monkey 47 Sloe Gin, lime, mint
• Elements - Monkey 47 Dry Gin infused with bay leaf, pickled chilli brine
• Barrel Negroni - Monkey 47 Barrel Cut Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and chocolate bitters

The new Afternoon Aperitivo menu will provide the perfect light snacks to begin the evening, with Luci restaurant preparing: 

• Spiked oysters with gin and cucumber, grapefruit and pink pepper
• Dry gin-cured Tasmanian salmon, black pepper crumpet, mascarpone
• Navajo fry bread with smoky tomato, gin and mint
• Seared scallop with gin pineapple carpaccio, ginger and lime
• “Not a dessert” Luci Oscietra caviar, white chocolate, lemon and gin curd, topped with popping candy

Over at The Douglas Club, Hilton's sultry inhouse bar, the Monkey 47 libations continue, with patrons able to indulge in a curated selection of petite classic ($15) and larger cocktails ($26) featuring Monkey 47 Gin. The bar will also be pouring an exclusive limited-edition Monkey 47 Distiller's Cut 2020 Schwarzwald Dry Gin. Cocktails will include:

Petits Cocktails

• Martini - Classic dry, with a choice of olive or twist of lemon
• Negroni - Monkey 47 Dry Gin, Cinzano Rosso, Campari, Burlesque Bitters
• Martinez - Monkey 47 Barrel Cut, Cinzano Rosso, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Angostura
• Sour - Monkey 47 Sloe Gin, lemon, sugar, egg white

Larger Cocktails

• King Louie - Monkey 47 Barrel Cut, Cinzano Rosso, coffee beans, orange, Angostura
• Mojo Jojo - Monkey 47 Sloe, sparkling rosé, dry curacao, grapefruit, rose water
• Rafiki - Monkey 47 Dry Gin, Melbourne Sake, lemon, Amaro di Angostura and ginger ale

Arriving alongside Afternoon Aperitivo will be Luci's new focaccia lunch menu – perfect for a 'rapido' offering for time-pressed office workers, as well as visitors and hotel guests who are looking for an easy dining option. Made daily with the restaurant's signature housemade focaccia, Luci's range of delicious fresh sandwiches will feature:

• Charred lemon-thyme chicken with rocket, truffle mayo, crispy shallots
• Miso-glazed eggplant with green tomato, buffalo mozzarella, pesto, pinenuts
• Crispy pork cotoletta with burnt apple purée, tender leaves
• Mumma's meatballs in a salsa di pomodoro, provolone, basil 
• Heirloom tomato with zucchini ribbons, plant-based feta and fire cracker mayo

The focaccia lunch menu ($24 pp) will be available Thursdays and Fridays between 12-3pm, and includes a glass of local Cloud Street Pinot Gris, Headline Acts Shiraz, beer or cider.

Special event hours: 

• Luci's Focaccia Lunch Menu is available Thursdays and Fridays, 12pm - 3pm
• Afternoon Aperitivo will run on Thursdays and Fridays, 3pm - 6pm, with live jazz on Thursdays 4-6pm

Luci opening hours: 

• Breakfast: Daily 
• Lunch: Thursday, Friday
• Dinner: from 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday 

The Douglas Club opening hours:

• Monday to Sunday, 4pm-late

Bookings via: lucimelbourne.com.au/bookings | info@lucimelbourne.com.au | +61 3 9116 8877