Chronicles is a light-filled watering hole that welcomes locals from all walks of life. It’s run by co-owners Loc Fortune and Justin Lustman, who met behind the bar at The Toff in Curtin House (they also own Tom’s Liquor Merchants a few doors down).

Here, the duo wanted to create a space that felt casual yet intimate. That’s clear as soon as you enter the timber-clad bar, which has exposed brick walls and bifold doors that reveal a laid-back terrace. Out the front, on Fitzroy Street, you’ll spot locals gathering for an after-work drink or catch up with friends and family. Multiple generations often sit at the same table.

The local focus extends to the drinks menu, which highlights independent Victorian breweries. You’re likely to find beers by Burnley Brewing, Love Shack and Bodriggy, among others. Victorian wines – both lo-fi and traditional – are plentiful, while Italian drops are thrown in the mix for some foreign flair.

Chronicles is a St Kilda local through and through. So much so that you can order dishes from neighbouring restaurants right to your table. All the more reason to stick around.