The bar game is a tough one to navigate these days. In a time when our money doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to, venues need to offer something different – something memorable – to entice customers inside and, ideally, have them coming back again. If there’s anyone who understands this dynamic, it’s Marc Grey.

In recent years, the duo has gradually taken on more laneway real estate, rolling the dice once again and introducing new concepts to the alleyway, like SoCal-meets-Mexico nosh spot Viva la Cali and pocket-sized cocktail bar Stir Down. While still successful experiments, these venues didn’t pop quite like 1st Edition. Marc and Steve realised that California Lane punters were after something different – or, perhaps, more of the same.

“People want to have a good drink and a party, so why not provide spaces that are going to allow that?” says Marc. “Everyone seems to like the [comic book] theme – it’s a great way for us to get creative in the way we present cocktails and the way we can link it to different things. Now we’ve got a bit more space to deliver that product in a bigger, broader scale.”

“Before, people might come into 1st Edition and we’d be full. I couldn’t really go, ‘I know you weren’t here for Mexican, but there’s Mexican out the back’,” says Marc. “Whereas now, you can get everything you see in 1st Edition out there and you can also get a couple extra surprises, so let us take you to a table.”

The team will be expanding its cocktail list across all three venues, with concoctions made using fat washes, milk punches and infusions, plus theatrical flourishes like smoke and bubbles.

“We want the cocktails to be very interactive,” says Marc. “It’s always fun to see bubbles and smoke in a cocktail bar, and we’re really going to lean into that.”

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy will also boast a couple of exclusive cocktails only available at each venue. The Harley Quinn cocktail will bring together Sunset gin and rose processco with dissolved lemon fairy floss for a punchy-yet-sweet sip, while the effervescent Puddin Spritz will mix a grapefruit blend with vodka, prosecco, soda and rosemary.

During the day, Harley Quinn will offer a tight food menu featuring lamb curry pies, toasties (ham off the bone with tomato and Swiss cheese, and shredded chicken with almond chimichurri), house muffins and specialty coffee. In the evening, the offering expands to include charcuterie platters piled high with meats from Saison Small Goods and cheese boards with house pickles, smoked honey and lavosh. We also hear tell of a Multiverse menu, which will bring a range of tasty eats to each venue.

A cosmetic twist has seen the 20-seater bar take on a new vibrant pink-and-blue colour scheme (a nod to Harley Quinn’s lively attire), with an updated seating configuration set to give the joint a fresh feel while still maintaining the intimate vibes.