Nestled snuggly under Federation Square, trailing along the Yarra, Pilgrim is set overlooking the delicious view of the river itself and the lights that line Melbourne’s iconic Arts Precinct.
Set within the bluestone of 19th century Melbourne architecture, your eyes spy a light dusting of fairy lights, speckled throughout lush, low hanging plants. When the warm summer days call and the sweetly-breezed nights whisper by, it’s hard to pass up a seat outdoors. There seems to be table after table of smiling clientele, a pleasant crowd of those who have just knocked off work and those lucky enough to have the day off. The cheerfully chill atmosphere is contagious – and thankfully, all of the tables come with a view.
There is an open kitchen, and the bar is busy and bustling, overflowing with tantalising cocktails and an array of locally produced brews and vines. There’s even a menu dedicated solely to the delight that is the spritz – including the ever refreshing iced tea spritz (based with gin and house-made iced tea) and the teasingly tasty toffee apple spritz (tainted with the goodness of brandy and topped with cloudy apple juice).
Whether it’s pre, post or mid-way through your first drink, any time’s a good time to check out the tempting food on offer at Pilgrim. The smoked kingfish, dressed in a good dose of olive oil, fresh herbs and tiny bursts of sugary tart finger lime, is hard to go past as an appetizer. The house made hummus is a stand-out all on its own, subtly flavoured with smoked almonds and served with warmed Turkish bread.
Finally, the delectable serving of the pepperberry-rubbed lamb ribs is perfectly portioned and melt-in-your-mouth good. All meals are served tapas style and are designed to be shared amongst friends, partners and loved ones.
Pilgrim is also home to a New York-style comedy room, set with intimate seating to a backdrop of the redbrick-and-curtain wall effect, à la Seinfeld. They host a free night of laughs from an array of local comedic talent on the first Thursday of every month.
As we enter the great Melbourne experience that is our glorious Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Pilgrim will host gigs four times a night, Monday to Saturday, throughout the entirety of the season. Along with this comes the Pilgrim’s Comedy Special menu, with your choice of one entree and one main, and a double drink treat of a cocktail and wine, for $60 per person. Comedy and cocktails – what more could you ask for?