Time for Storytime kids; Once upon a time, many moons ago, prior to the entertainment and shopping complex it’s known as today and even before it began churning out jars of sweet preserved fruit goodness, good ole Jam Factory on Chapel St served as a brewery for the first 20 years of its existence. Hard to picture with the revamps and renovations it has since undergone, but nevertheless, I’m sure if you looked hard, you could find remnants of the original building…
150 years since its establishment, what better way to celebrate and honour its history then to pay homage to its roots and offer something for the people that serves up the very thing that its foundations are built upon.
No, not a jam store (people are far too concerned with their sugar intake for this kind of business to truly take off), but something that is always welcomed, any day of the week by many people all over the world.
I’m talking of course about the golden drop, nectar of the gods, and my personal hydration of choice.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away from bustling Chapel St is the newly opened Roc’s Jam Factory. Just head on up the stairs to Village Cinemas, turn left at the Candy Bar and you have arrived at your destination.
Named after Roc Kirby, the founder of the Village Roadshow empire and pioneer of the Australian Film & Cinema industry, Roc’s décor and ambience resembles jazz bars you might expect to find in Uptown New York and no detail has been spared.
The space oozes style and glamour and you notice immediately the thought that has gone into creating this sophisticated space – like for instance the scattered television screens playing snippets of classic black&white films. Ample of seating space, both in secluded lounge chairs and at the bar makes it a perfect place for after work drinks (where you can actually hear the person next to you), a drink and a few nibbles before a movie or a nightcap post-show.
Cocktails take centre stage at Roc’s and are sectioned up between Sweet, Bitter, Sour, Dry, and Strong. The list includes all the favourite classics as well as signature creations that are sure to tantalise the taste-buds.
The small menu incorporates dishes from around the world and are designed to go hand-in-hand with a glass of…anything. Cheese boards, salami and other dishes have been specifically designed for sharing and all are prepared using the best local and imported ingredients.
On weekend nights you’ll even find a live singer and pianist playing the best of jazz, adding to the whole atmosphere but warning – you may never leave.
Roc’s doubles as a function venue and has a capacity of 200 guests for a cocktail style event. With space to move and mingle, it makes the perfect venue for birthdays, corporate events, Christmas parties and much more.
Food for thought – why not mix up your end of year party this year and treat your guests to a Gold Class screening down the corridor after some cocktails and canapes in the bar? An exciting new twist on your average Christmas party.
Escape the mayhem of Chapel St and enter the world of Roc’s because it will rock your world
*pun intended
FOR FUNCTION AND EVENT INFORMATION AT ROC’S JAM FACTORY CLICK HERE
By Bee Marffy
