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Hands Down: Fitzroy’s New Feel-Good Bar From The Teams Behind Above Board And Bar Liberty

26th Nov 2025
Written by: Arshia Anand

A fresh face has entered Fitzroy’s bar scene—and it’s here to make your pre-dinner drinks (or post-dinner daze) a whole lot livelier. From the award-winning minds behind Above Board and Bar Liberty comes Hands Down, a promising contender taking over the former Bad Frankie site on Greeves Street.

Where Above Board is all about crisp precision and Bar Liberty leans into elegant relaxation, Hands Down is their naughty younger cousin—playful, energetic and gloriously unbuttoned. Consider it the spot where the night truly kicks off, despite your best intentions of a quick one.

“We’ve always wanted to create a social bar,” says operational partner Dominic Xavier, a Liberty alum who’s teaming up with industry heavyweights Hayden Lambert (Above Board) and Manu Potoi (Liberty, Capitano, Falco).

bartender prepping drink at hands down In fitzroyImage Credit: Hands Down | Supplied

The drinks list reads like a love letter to southern France and northern Spain, where Pastis Swizzles mingle with Kalimotxos and 50/50 Martinis. All enjoyed alongside salty snacks designed for sharing (or hoarding guilt-free). You can bank on Gildas, espelette crisps and guindillas inspired straight from those magical corners of Europe where menus are mere suggestions and everyone just knows what time it is.

Inside, Hands Down keeps things warm and welcoming with just the perfect dash of retro charm. Studio Edwards has given the space a fresh, modern pulse while nodding to the 1970s vibe that once ruled the site. Look out for their vintage Tannoy sound system, a key feature courtesy of Dominic’s brother, Carlo Xavier (aka El Gran Mono Soundsystem from Hot Gold Hi-Fi). That’s right—even the speakers have heritage.

Open since late August 2025, you’ll find Hands Down alive from 4pm till late on weeknights, and partying past midnight on weekends. So if you’re after a fresh spot for your pre-dinner drinks, or just a cheeky arvo catch-up, Hands Down is ready to welcome you in.

Main Image Credit: Hands Down | Supplied