The LuWow

Don's Zombie
Image by Belinda Hosking

If pin-up-girl style and rockabilly music are your thing and/or you’re mad for kitschy tiki taverns, like my girlfriend is, then you must check out The LuWow on Johnston Street in Fitzroy.

There are two sides to The LuWow, the Island Village Lounge bar (open Wed-Sat 5pm til late) and the Forbidden Temple (open Fri & Sat from 8:30pm). You can take a virtual tour of each on The LuWow website.

The dual nature creates an ambiance like the old Frankie and Annette beach movies where the strait surfer culture was juxtaposed with the more wild (and fun) goofy-baddie scene.

The LuWow has Rum & Records with Joey Elbows every Wednesday and King Kahunas Rockin’ Karaoke from 9pm every Thursday in the Island Village Lounge bar and regularly presents shows and events in the Forbidden Temple.

I recently caught up with my friend on their Wednesday night Rum Club & Rumble in the Jungle which features half priced rum and Joey Elbows’ ‘Rockin’ Rhythms’.

It was perfect for a catch-up – not too busy (it was Wednesday night after all.) We ensconced ourselves in one of their tiki hut booths, to the side where we could converse easily yet still enjoy the music.

Half price rum meant my introduction to neat rum was a twenty-one year old – a smooth experience.

smooth 21 year old rum
Image by Belinda Hosking

Staff at The LuWow are friendly and the ambiance is tiki heaven.

Drinks are pricey but on a par with most Melbourne venues. If you’re on a budget go on a Wednesday night when rum is half price, Thursday between 5pm-9pm two for one cocktails or Friday and Saturday $10 MAI-TAIS until 9pm.

All of the drinks are scrumptious but I recommend Don’s Zombie.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle