I’ve recently returned to Melbourne for a whirlwind two week touch down. Upon arrival I asked my very cool friend Ruth what’s up in Melbourne, and where I should have my welcome home drinks. I was thinking of hitting Rooftop, as had always been the tradition in the past, but Ruth sent me back a longwinded text message explaining that the roof is dead and that now it’s all about the island.

“There’s this new place called something-something island. I haven’t been there yet, but you should Google it because I hear it’s awesome.” And Google it I did. A preemptory search revealed that the venue she was describing was called Ponyfish Island, and is the latest chapter in the thrilling narrative of Jerome Borazio’s iconic Melbourne hangouts. Part owned by Jerome with prominent Melbournites Grant Smilie and Andrew Mackinnon, Ponyfish Island was and enticing option for my party- even more so as I discovered that the venue is, quite literally, on an island in the middle of the Yarra.

Nestled under the Southbank Footbridge, Ponyfish Island is an absolute delight for afternoon beers in the waning sunshine and the cool breeze that floats off the Yarra. Idyllic in its setting (imagine a sorbet coloured sunset over the Melbourne skyline) and atmosphere (the slow buzz of conversation punctuated by clinking glasswear and bursts of laughter), Ponyfish Island is the kind of venue I’d quickly turn into a summertime local if I was but only staying in Melbourne for the long term. Not only is the island a great place to chin wag with mates over a brewski, I hear they make a mean coffee, in the classic tradition of all good Jerome coffees.