Poison Ivy

It’s time to enter an alternate dimension, thanks to the new villain-inspired venue that has opened up alongside comic book-inspired eatery 1st Edition and cocktail bar Harley Quinn in California Lane. Poison Ivy completes the Valley laneway trio to create a multiverse of venues with a single menu that spans all three. 

Taking over the outdoor space that previously housed Viva La Cali, the first thing you’ll notice here is the striking Poison Ivy mural, with leafy vines spreading out and adorning the entire venue. Perched up at a table you’ll be able to see across the laneway to Harley Quinn—but no need to change venues when you see their theatrical cocktails being poured at the bar, because you can sip on the same concoctions right here. 

You will need to decide whether you’re in a villain or superhero mood, because the cocktail list is of course themed to match, including creations like the Poison Ivy, combining gin, bay leaf cordial, celery shrub, sea salt and burnt bay leaf, and the Flash Meringue, with limoncello, gin, hazelnut, lemon curd and a meringue glaze. 

The whole menu, crafted by mixologist owner and operator Marc Grey, is awash in creative techniques and ingredients—think milk punches, fat washes and infusions, not to mention theatrical elements like those in The Tesseract, a glowing blue sip served under a smoky glass dome. 

Meanwhile, over on the food menu you’ll find a banging line up of casual but inventive bites to sate your hunger. The crispy KFC ribs with kimchi and shallots are a must, but other stand outs include mac ‘n’ cheese spring rolls, salt and vinegar calamari and beef carnita gyozas. 

If you need an excuse to check them out, on the last Saturday of each month the three venues host a ‘Lonely Disco,' featuring house music DJs that will have you dancing until the early hours of the morning after a few of those cocktails. 

Image credit: Supplied