The Collection

The Collection is a cool bar that features a lot of American and Aussie style pub fare. They also have some craft cocktails for those venturing outside the norm. I would say they could use some refinement on their cucumber bubble bath (strange after taste) and fishbowl punch (too bitter for a punch).
The Hapa burger was on point, save for the pineapple, which does not belong in a burger (or on pizza for that matter). The crunchy beef patty combined well with the fried spam and melted cheese. This is good hangover food, or in my case, quenched any unhealthy craving.
Paired with a Bloody Mary, it was a great meal. The flavour was a bit mild for my taste but they have two types of homemade hot sauce to spice up as you fancy. $ 9 is the Sunday special before 4pm, at which point another happy hour menu begins. Note: They also have $ 1 hot wings, big and tasty!
I liked the vibe and classic American music. Friendly staff and quick service makes for a great spot. Also you can’t beat the location on Bridge St.

The collection has filled more than an empty spot in bridge rd. It has filled a spot in my heart. A quiet southern bar serving up awesome whiskey and even better food. I have become a bit of a regular over the last 12 months taking more of my friends along every time. The bar is dimly light by Edison bulbs and candle light. The room is filled with a large wooden bar and lots of different seating options. From the table and chairs at the front, to the stools at the bar and a casual couch area at the back. I was instantly intrigued with my first step in the door.
The collection is more a bar than eatery which is why I like it so much. I’m constantly disappointed in Melbourne eateries with horrible bars and bar programs. I feel the collection have finally nailed the food and drink combination. They have a good variety of bottled and tap beer with an even better selection of whiskey, bourbon and Rhy. The bar price is what you would expect and not too pricey. Not a bad place if you’re on a budget. I do however wish the bar had pints and not schooners.
Now even know this is a solid bar, I have to say I honestly come here for the food. From the delectable mac & cheese Croquettes to the smoked stake and I would say some of the best buffalo wings I have had in Melbourne! This is defiantly one of my most favourite places to eat. The majority of the menu is shared plates and very well priced at $ 8-​$ 20 per share plate. But I can’t stress enough how good the food is.
I have recently moved from Richmond to Footscray and still make the trip most Sundays for $ 1 wings and beers. Could not recommend this place enough.

I stopped here for a drink on the way to dinner one Saturday night.
They have a happy hour 5 – 7 so I chose the Cucumber Gimlet for $ 10. This was a flavoursome drink with elderflower and cucumber in it.
The wait staff were all very friendly and when they asked if I wanted the same again, I didn’t even need to say what I was drinking as they remembered from earlier. This was the same for all of the people at my table.

We each tried all the burgers on offer. All beyond amazing. Onion rings also fantastic. Great atmosphere. Also had the happy hour cocktails, well done, fresh. Atmosphere warm and comfortable. Cool hang out.

Mmmmmm YES.
Show up at 4:00pm with thirst and an appetite. You will be rewarded with generously poured $ 10 cocktails and very scrumptious $ 1 buffalo wings (skip the jerk chicken wings, in my opinion).
Cocktail ranking:
#3 The Hurricane. It’s pretty and it’s fruity and it’ll get you buzzed. It will also make you long for hot summer days, so beware your feelings in winter.
#2 Cucumber Gimlet. Transports you back in time to the roaring twenties. Light, sweet, an all around classic.
#1 Fair Rum and Apple. this is like drinking apple juice. It’s the best thing ever.
Also, order the mac and cheese croquette things. You won’t regret it!!!

Some delicious ‘southern fried eating’, The Collection seemed to beat the trend, as now you can get American-​style eats at almost every second bar.
It’s a pretty cool place generally, with some good cocktails on offer and some decent specials from time-​to-​time.
The plethora of similar food places over the past couple of years has lessened The Collection’s niche, but it’s still well worth a try when looking for a good combo of cool cocktail bar and good grub in Richmond.

Excellent cocktails and friendly staff. $ 10 cocktail happy hour 4 – 7 pm on weeknights. Food looked amazing and $ 1 wings on Sunday– see you again soon!

Come in to The Collection for dinner. Be greeted by a friendly staff that will promptly proceed to forget your order, tell you that they sold out of what you ordered and make you wait one hour for food and then pretty much ignore you all night. Saving grace is how good the food is. But not worth the terrible service.

The Collection is an excellent neighborhood cocktail bar located in Richmond, just a 5 minute drive outside the CBD. Food here is very good, as they have a wide variety of tapas style dishes to taste. The cocktail menu at Collection is where this place really shines. The bartenders are always coming up with new types of drinks for people to try. The staff are always very friendly and willing to make concoct a drink for you based on your preferences. One of my favorite bars in all of Melb.

$ 15 Steak night is really good value. A nice bit of meat with some nice sides.
Pleasant staff and nice feel. Only thing missing is a fireplace.

Excellent example of a Melbourne Small Bar/​restaurant (and they won an award too)
Friendly owner/​barman only too willing to make suggestions for eats and drinks and all were excellent choices
Has a distinct American Dude Food type of feel to it … but hinestly… I’d had a few by the time I got there… and a few while I was there… so … if you are in Bridge road drop in and try it for your self …

This was, by far, not my first time walking into a bar on Bridge Road. It may be, however, the first time I’ve had a really good experience (I know that may annoy some bar owners but it’s true).
Collection serves an amazing variety of American tapas and even the seasoning on their chips is delicious! But that’s nothing compared to the magic that Jeremy and Owen can make behind the bar.
Depending on the day I suggest either a West Winds Cutlass and Tonic in the sun in the back courtyard, a Bloody Mary at the bar as you coax yourself through yet another hangover or, if you’re adventurous, giving yourself over to the guys to create a whiskey based concoction from scratch, they’ll surprise you!
Be warned, there’s a reason this lives on my list «Remember arriving, not so much leaving…»

Recently voted Australia’s best small bar, I was sceptical. I wanted to dislike it, given the quality of cocktails available at other well known establishments, but found myself in a very happy place. The quality and diversity in cocktails was exceptional. I especially liked the dark liquor based varieties. Usually I would not touch a cocktail with scotch in it, however they were skilfully crafed with just the right amount of sweetness and made me a very happy patron. The staff were swell, knew their stuff and were not pretentious. The regular crowd, suitably hip for bridge road too. Definitely worth dropping in for a cocktail or three.

I visited The Collection with a few girlfriends last night for drinks. The place was packed & they staff were very accommodating finding us a table almost instantly. Although there is an extensive Tapas menu, my girlfriends & I just stuck to the cocktails. They were delicious. My friends had The Farmers Daughter, The Jack Rose & I had The Violet Hour & Gin with cucumber thereafter. Reasonably priced & I must say a good looking clientele: D without a pretentious feel. Next time I visit here I will certainly try their food. If you are in the area, give The Collection Bar a try…