London Arms opened in October 2025 inside a building with a longer history than most Melbourne venues can claim — this South Melbourne address has operated as a gathering spot since 1854. Owner Nikita Kaur Chopra, a former medical scientist turned hospitality operator, previously launched The Black Prince, and brought in celebrity chef consultants from India to shape a menu that pairs British pub comfort with Indian spice. Downstairs, the ground-floor restaurant and bar reimagines dishes like butter chicken and Dahi kebab alongside espresso-based desserts and a cocktail list built around Indian fruits not commonly used in Australian bars. The building's upper levels add two more layers to a night out: the King's Court, a private dining room designed for birthdays and anniversaries with its own heritage-meets-opulence styling, and Barcode by London Arms, a rooftop bar aimed squarely at later, louder evenings of cocktails and dancing. Chopra has spoken about wanting to give Southbank and South Melbourne back a proper gathering place after the area's slow post-pandemic recovery, and the result leans into occasion — this reads as a place for a date, a birthday, or a long dinner with friends rather than a quick weekday meal. Dinner service runs every night of the week, and with three distinct spaces under one roof, it's worth deciding in advance whether you're after the restaurant, the private room, or the rooftop before you book.