George Costanza-themed bar opens in Melbourne

A bar dedicated to George Costanza of Seinfeld fame has opened in Melbourne, Australia. Jason Alexander, who played the famously neurotic Costanza, clearly approved of the move, Tweeting: “That’s right – I may not have an Emmy, but I got me a bar in Melbourne, Australia. G’day, mates.”

Jason Alexander. Image from Twitter page @IJasonAlexander

George’s Bar celebrated its opening night on New Year’s Eve, serving appropriately themed Costanza toasties and cocktails. The dive bar is a homage to one of four central characters in the long-running sitcom Seinfeld, which ran for nine seasons during the 1990s. Co-owner and operator Dave Barrett told Fairfax Media, he and his co-owners came up with the idea of a Costanza-themed bar because “we really like Seinfeld.”

Visitors are welcomed into the bar by two Costanza quotes on the front doors: ‘It’s not a lie if you believe it’ and ‘Everyone must like me, I must be liked’. From there, they are immersed in a world of George, with autographed photos, themed food and drink, and possibly even an art show. “One guy contacted me last night who lives in Melbourne and who is in the middle of eight different George Costanza paintings. We are talking about doing a show with him,” Mr Barrett revealed.

Though themed bars may be big in the US, they aren’t generally as well-received in Melbourne, which prides itself on having a sophisticated, somewhat edgy, bar and club scene. It’s a risk Mr Barrett acknowledges: “Cheesy bars in Melbourne aren’t really a thing. After 20 years in this business I think I’ve figured that out so we’re making it a solid bar in it’s own right as well.”

George’s Bar can be found at 120 Johnson St, Fitzroy and on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/georgesbarfitzroy/>