Supafish swims into centre of Melbourne

A 38-metre floating bar named ‘Supafish’ is set to swim into Melbourne this summer, settling in at Southbank on the Yarra River.

Launching at the start of December, the 300-capacity barge will be serving Mexican cuisine and slinging summer cocktails seven days a week until the end of February next year.

The floating bar is a collaboration between long-time friends and business partners Andrew Mackinnon (Managing Director of advertising agency The Taboo Group) and Grant Smillie (E.P & L.P Los Angeles).

Supafish’s name is a nod to the pair’s other joint venture, Ponyfish Island, a similarly aquatic bar nestled under the Yarra Pedestrian Footbridge; Supafish will move in just a stone’s throw away.

“It was very important for us at Taboo to create something that would really push the envelope on what might be achievable on a pop-up as we always like to challenge ourselves when it comes to creative execution,” says co-founder Mackinnon.

Smillie, (who managed DJ commitments on top of his hospitality entrepreneurship) will curate the music himself, while the ‘neo-Tokyo’ inspired fit out – paired back with recycled materials, galvanized steel and shades of white and black – is designed to impress from every angle.

An all-day Mexican grazing menu has been produced in partnership with culinary experts Matt Lane and Nick Peters, the creative masterminds behind Hotel Jesus and Mamasita, and includes Huitlacoche Quesadilla, Quesadilla Al Pastor, Totopos Corn Chips and Ceviche.

The drinks list will keep it simple, with Margaritas and Espresso Martinis available all day long; there’ll also be a ‘Supafish Kombucha Cocktail’ for patrons on a health kick, or who might be looking for a probiotic hit.

Supafish will be open from 11am-1am daily, and will also be operating on a cashless basis. It joins the recently announced return of Arbory Afloat, located only a few hundred metres upriver.