Across August and September, Maybe Mae will be hosting a series of pop ups in support of the Melbourne bar industry. “We feel very fortunate to be resuming close to normal trading conditions in Adelaide, but at the same time our hearts are breaking observing what is unfolding in Melbourne from afar,” says Maybe Mae’s Ollie Margan. “I wanted to find a way to help, and this is the concept that my team and I settled on.”
Every Sunday from the 16th August through until the end of September, Maybe Mae will be transformed into a different venue. The menu will be designed and prepped in Melbourne and then constructed and finished in Maybe Mae. 100% of all proceeds will go back to each venue. “All labour will be donated by myself and the Maybe Mae team, as well as perishables,” says Ollie. “We decided not to enlist any brand support so that we can allow each bar to design as genuine a menu as possible and support whatever suppliers they feel compelled to.”
Dates for each venue are TBA, but the partner bars are: Above Board, Black Pearl, Byrdi, Capitano, The Everleigh and Romeo Lane. “We feel that people in Adelaide would love the opportunity to support what are some of the most important drinking houses in Australia. The takeaway opportunities appear to expanding with time, and the ability to enjoy these drinks with the full amenities of a bar will hopefully enhance the experience,” Ollie says .
Ollie believes we all owe a bit of our rich bar culture to the Melbourne pioneers. “I think we owe much to the Melbourne bar industry, they paved the way for many of us. It is important that we do what we can to help get these venues open again. From my conversations with operators, there doesn’t seem to be the same amount of support this time around, so I think we all need to band together.”
For all bookings, head to www.maybemae.com
For all updates follow @maybemaebasement