Elite Event: Time Travellers Ball

This was the first Elite event I’ve attended courtesy of my colleague and keen Unilocaler @Wendy F. I had no idea what to expect but thought I should get on board the time traveller’s theme. So I donned my purple mullet wig and a few items of 80s garb and had myself a ball!
On approach to the event space I was very impressed with the hidden entry and even happier when I entered the beautiful cocktail bar. The Tanqueray was delicious and atmosphere fine. I loved having my instapics taken and with a touch of burlesque I didn’t think the evening needed improvement. To my surprise though, I was awarded with my first ever hip flask (with the Unilocal logo engraved) for my wig/​costume and rocked away into the night hoping for more of these events to come my way. Cheers!

A secret bar… down a staircase… behind a bookshelf. I’d heard about Fall from Grace, but I’d never been. Neither had my two +1s. Unbelieveable! We all kicked ourselves for never having been. Then again, being introduced to State of Grace and Fall from Grace at an Elite Unilocal event has ruined us.
My guy friends’ mouths hung open when they first saw the contortionist. We all enjoyed our gin-​based cocktails (even someone like me who doesn’t like gin). The mini sliders went down a treat for the ravenous Unilocalers. And the cookies from Charlie’s didn’t even last the tram ride home.
But what was the best was the atmosphere — the venue itself was just magical. Everything about the night was perfect, including the amazing photos taken of us and the Polaroid I got to take home. Thanks again to Mel for putting together a night to remember. I can’t wait to have a friend visit so I can take them behind the bookshelf to Fall from Grace.

So so much klass! The theme and venue just went hand in hand. Very Alice in Wonderland, mystical, old saloon like just quirky all at the same time. Brilliant bar staff and delicious Southside cocktails. Miss Skopalova — WOW, amazing! The bites preview was gourmet deliciousness and Melting moments by Charlies — I’ve never had a melting moment before and boy did it melt!
Elite events are also great opportunities to meet other Elites and other +1’s and newbies. Such great fun!

This event exemplified «Elite.» A fancy, tasteful downstairs bar with a hidden entrance behind a bookcase, good cocktails flowing freely (both the Southside and the Rickey were tasty and well balanced), and well dressed patrons gave this even the right vibe. Looking forward to trying out Fallen from Grace on another night and seeing how it measures up to this event.
My only suggestion for future events would be to have some activity that encourages some mixing and talking between the Unilocalers. Many people know one another, but it is always good to have an excise to talk to new people and sometimes artificial seeming, though still useful mixing activities can aid in that process. Probably wouldn’t have made sense in that environment, but might be fun in future events.
Overall, the events continue to impress and, so far, each has been better than the last.

For all those Unilocalers who were there on the night, how great was Time Travellers Ball?! I mean, am I right?!
With small bites from State of Grace, Southside and Gin Rickey cocktails to quench our thirst, delicious cookies from Charlie’s and a perfect venue in Fall From Grace; it didn’t matter that it was freezing out there because things got really hot in there! Yep I am of course referring to the beautiful and amazing Miss Skopalova…
As usual, it was great to catch up with fellow Unilocalers and lovely to get to meet new ones.
Well done to Mel and the team for putting together such memorable event and for having us. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are all looking forward to many more so keep ‘em coming!

What a unique and exciting event! The venue was absolutely gorgeous and I can not wait to return. So much to cast your eye over, and such a warm and inviting space. The old world charm was evident in the décor and the event itself. The dancer was mesmerizing, such a talent.
The mini burgers were tasty, and the gin was refreshing and substantial! The melting moments were a little burst of happiness in my mouth. SO delicious.
A wonderful night, great effort Unilocal team. You do a remarkable job, particularly with this event. I loved it!

Awesome venue — can’t believe I’d never discovered Fall from Grace before, but I guess that’s why these Unilocal events are so great!
Loved the (huge) gin cocktails/​mixers, tasty mini-​burgers, and the very entertaining and eye-​opening Miss Skopolova’s performance.
Wonderful, quirky, thirst-​quenching night out! Great job Team Unilocal

It was like stepping back into the past when we descended those stairs and into the Time Travellers Ball. My plus one had no idea what to expect and we were both delighted when we arrived in what felt like a giant hug of a bar. The bar exuded a warm and beautiful vibe and it felt like I was in a great grandmother’s embrace when we sat down among the old school furniture and books.
What a venue.
Now everybody that has read one of my reviews knows that I LOVEEEEEE gin. And I was so excited to know that Tanquary was behind this night. What a partner for it. I loved the gigantic bowl of gin and tonic (that’s certainly what it felt like) plus the cocktails. My plus one is not a gin guy and I think he was surprised in the delicious that hit his tastebuds.
The food (I only managed to nab the smoked salmon) was delicious, with a fresh crème fresh and dill on top of some beautiful salmon. The Charlies cookies — what cookies? I didn’t get any of them (coughs, with crumbs flying out of my mouth). They were amazing. Raspberry and white chocolate gets my sticky fingers two thumbs up.
As it turns out, there was a lot of theatrics going on behind me as my plus one had no idea where to look while Miss Skopolova contorted into all sorts of directions. Very funny and I’m completely jealous of her flexibility.
I wasn’t able to stay long, which was crappy planning on my behalf, but my hour of Unilocaling delight was another wonderful experience. I don’t know if I can have Charlies cookie’s again without finding my loose pants. Lovely job all.

A secret entrance, a grand staircase, a long shiny bar, the twinkling lights of chandeliers, and cozy little corners for intimate conversation. This is the scene at Fallen from Grace. Pair that beautiful scene with Unilocalers dressed to the 9s, the 1929s that is, and you can picture Unilocal’s Time Travellers Ball. We drank Southsiders (a daiquiri made with Tanqueray) like the coppers were going to come any moment and break up this gin joint. There were small nibbles like a smoked trout crostini, a mini burger, and a little goat cheese on flaky dough: the perfect foil to the sweet, and citrusy Southsider. We left with a box of tiny cookies and sparkles in our eyes. Fallen from Grace is definitely worth another visit — will the next visit be as perfect as The Time Travellers Ball? Impossible. But, I’ll enjoy showing off this secret place to my uninitiated friends.

What a memorable night for the 2 new Unilocalers I took along!
Let’s start with the venue: Fall from Grace is a pretty hidden spot in Melbourne and how fun is it to enter from the secret bookshelf! The décor is beaut with sheet music wallpaper, pianos and a wall full of wine.
As usual, Unilocal had super friendly staff and volunteers at the door welcoming everyone and once inside I saw many familiar faces and chatted to many new ones.
Along the way we got to try juicy mini burgers, wafers and smoked salmon from the kitchen at State of Grace… quenched my thirst with gin from the bar supplied by Tanqueray and tried the South Side and Gin Rickey cocktails. Not being a big fan of gin, I must say I was impressed with the cocktails.
Moving on to cookies! Charlie’s cookies… we pretty much demolished a box right there and then of the Raspberry white chocolate cookies. Charlie, we will be buying from you very soon! I have hidden the other two boxes away in my secret stash so my plus one’s can’t find it. JK!
For entertainment we had the steamy Miss Skpalova perform and EVERYONE’s eyes were glued to her as she did tricks and twirls. I think i’ll be hitting the gym again after seeing her performance.
Thanks Unilocal for letting me wear a toga on a weeknight!

An amazing event and venue! This spectacular space was hidden behind a bookcase, just like the Prohibition era drinking dens.
A charming range of gin based cocktails, fresh salmon morsels and the tastiest mini burgers I have had the pleasure to try entertained the tastebuds. A burlesque dancer entertained hordes.
A fitting way to say hey to fellow Unilocalers and ponder on the merits of both abstinence and absinthe.
A well organised and extremely engaging event. Thanks Mel! I will return here. I feel it in my waters. What a unique find!

Unilocal, you are just amazing. And this party was such a prime example of that. Where else could you find such like minded friendly people, from the business sponsors that helped support tonight to the elites and everyone’s plus ones. This room was just full of such amazingness. I stayed in Melbourne an extra night to be sure that I attended this party, and am I glad I did.
So much love and support around the room as everyone celebrated this amazing party and helped me have a good send off from this amazing place.
The bartenders were amazing, getting those great fun cocktails out. Unilocal staff were super awesome spreading them good vibes. Special shout out to Mel P and Tresna, you girls are amazing and just looking around the room I am so proud of what you guys have created here in Melbourne because it’s really something. Everyone I spoked to had themselves and amazing night. I’m glad I got to leave Melbourne in the best fashion ever, thank you Unilocal for making that happen.
Looking forward to joining the Melbourne Unilocalers in the near future :-) but for now keep awesome and keep doing what your doing.

What a cool place. Having never been to state of grace before but having heard lots about it and it’s tricksy little bookshelf wall I was utterly amazed by this place. Such a good vibe, funky bar tenders and the ambiance was sensational. This will shock most people but I don’t actually like gin, infact it is the one alcohol that just doesn’t tickle my pickle. Well my opinion sure changed upon first sip of the southsider gin cocktail!!! YUM!!! I need more of that cocktail in my life is all I know.
The mini hamburgers were something to write home about, wow, who knew such a little burger could pack such flavour, I was lucky enough to get my hands on two of these bad boys, much enjoyment was had. I also tried these funky little salmon things, which were an amazing burst of flavour in my mouth & I must find out what they were, so if anyone knows/​remembers please TELL ME!
Yet another amazing Unilocal event, that all my friends are super jelly of #astheyshouldbe
Biggest props & thanks to Mel & the Unilocal team.

A totes «fetch» eve. It was like fully sick. But I feel I need to drop the bogan talk as the amazing venue is far from it.
Entering from a secret bookshelf entrance (think Get Smart/​scoobie doo) and you’ll find yourself in an ultra cool space. With wait and bar staff who are amazing.
The food was what you’d expect from such a cool venue, fresh and flavoursome. And the cocktails were totes sick (sorry, forgot, no bogan talk). I normally stay clear of gin, but these guys made it magic!
I can’t wait to get a group of mates together and wow them with this venue.
(Peace out bi$ches — sorry, couldn’t help).

Totally wonderful!
Firstly, perfect timing! an elite event for my birthday!
Then it starts with a door, opened by pulling on a book and gets better from there!
Great drinks and a spectacular vibe from a great venue! I will be back there!
I can’t comment on the melting moments (they were the bribe for she who always stays at home) but the food was great and it was good to see the waiters skirting they around to everyone because otherwise I would have eaten every one of those mini-​burgers!
the entertainment provided by Miss Skopalova was great, not to intrusive and just perfect for the space!
All in all, another great event! thanks Mel, Tresna and Unilocal!
oh and please please please let me with the The Larwill staycation! I know someone who needs a break!

A hidden entrance behind a bookcase led us down a marble balustrade staircase to Fall from Grace. It felt like we were entering a secret hideaway… and WOW what an amazing place it was. A selection of gin cocktails were on offer, the Southside (gin, lime, mint & sugar syrup) was delicious, as any gin fan would agree. To accompany we were offered mini sliders and goats cheese delicacies, along with a box of Charlie’s cookies melting moments to take away. Everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. Thanks again Mel, Tresna & the Unilocal team for a great night.

Possibly my favourite Elite event EVER!
I was slack and didn’t dress up, but I loved those who made the effort — there were a few skimpy options given the chilly weather!
Food was bang on — I could have eaten a million of those mini-​burgers and washed it down with litres of delicious southside gin cocktails.
I’m happily munching on my lemon melting moments on the tram ride home chuckling at my friend as she raves about her first ever Unilocal event.
Oh the high standards we have set for her!
I’m actually booking Fall from Grace for my birthday drinks based on tonight alone.
Thanks Mel P!

An incredible Unilocal event! Mel, Tresna & Te team did an amazing job coordinating, and the Grace Darling, Tanq & Charlie’s left nothing to be desired!
The secret entranceway was a perfect beginning to a magical evening! The roving entertainment (wow!), olive wafers with honey & goat cheese and cocktails were incredible! Chandeliers, bubble machines, Polaroids and bearded bartenders created the perfect, festive atmosphere for Unilocal Elites, newbies and friends to converge and talk foodie adventures! Incredible job team — can’t wait till the next!

You know you’ve had a good evening when you show a friend your random candid snaps and their first question is «why is there an upside down lady?». Miss Skopolova you are a treat, captivating all who looked on, and amazing costumes to boot!
Another year another interesting cocktail to try and another fantastic Unilocal event to get the year into full swing. Time traveller’s from past and future converged on Fallen Grace, sampling wonderful Tanqueray Gin concoctions and nibbles.
I have to say, as well as the niggles being rather good, the food passing by to head upstairs has definitely put State of Grace on my must try list for a meal as it looked fantastic.
Southsider cocktail was just the refreshing pick me up needed at the start middle or end of a busy week! And wonderful bartenders in an equally wonderfully decorated venue. The type or place you could return to a hundred times and discover some new detail each time.
Thank you Unilocal for an amazing event as always and to the wonderful hosts and sponsors, what a way to warm up a freezing Tuesday night xx

Who would’ve thought that a fall from grace would be so stylish? No hobos, no one trying to save my mortal soul or preaching on prohibition. A few remedies handed around to make your fall that little bit softer.
As a non gin drinker I was in a state of utter delight at the Southside Gin cocktail. Think of it as a mini gin mojito. Whilst we are talking all things mini I couldn’t get enough of the mini cheeseburgers. So much deliciousness in such a little burger.
Such a great night in a unique space.