The Cleaver Room Intimate Card Lounge Upstairs

Step inside The Cleaver Room, our exclusive upstairs card lounge where intimate matches and strategic tournaments unfold in a brilliantly atmospheric setting. Warm ember glow, dark timber, brushed steel, and signature drinks create a focused yet social arena for in-person play.

Secure Your Seat Upstairs View Weekend Events
Weekend Service Friday & Saturday from 7:00pm
Format Face-to-face card matches only
Drinks Program Signature cocktails & local microbrews
Ask About Private Lounge Use
The Cleaver Room upstairs card lounge with vintage tables and ember-lit timber surfaces

The Cleaver Room Experience

Industrial-Luxe Card Lounge Above the Fireline

Vintage tables, plush seating, curated playlists, and the low roar of the woodfired grill below.

Designed for both casual players and serious card aficionados, The Cleaver Room is a dedicated upstairs lounge suspended above the restaurant’s fireline. Vintage card tables, plush leather seating, and dim ember-toned lighting create a setting where conversation flows and every hand feels cinematic.

Curated music and a tailored soundscape keep the energy focused yet relaxed. Industrial steel details, thick-framed table edges, and heavy charcoal textures frame each table like its own private stage.

Purpose-built tables

Vintage-style tables with crisp edges, felt inlays, and dedicated space for drinks, scorecards, and decks.

Layered seating

Plush booths for small groups, high-backed chairs for focused play, and rail seating for spectators.

Curated playlists

Low-lit, rhythm-forward playlists calibrated to keep conversation audible and concentration sharp.

Explore the Grill Menu Before You Play

Weekend Matches & Tournaments

Friday & Saturday Night Card Sessions

Curated in-person card rosters with friendly competition, repeat regulars, and an open door for newcomers.

Friday Night Classics

Ease into the weekend with a balanced mix of Bridge, Poker, and Hearts tables. Hosts seat guests into compatible groups, explain house rules, and keep the flow steady throughout the night.

  • Start7:00pm
  • FormatRotating tables & friendly sets
  • FocusSocial, open to all experience levels

Saturday Tournament Blocks

Saturdays are built around structured card tournaments. Each weekend brings fresh formats and themed blocks, with clear rounds, tables, and timeframes managed by our hosts.

  • SessionsEarly & late evening blocks
  • GamesBridge, Poker, Hearts & specials
  • RegistrationRecommended via Reservations

House Play Philosophy

Every match prioritises mutual respect, clear etiquette, and inclusive in-person play. Whether you are here to sharpen your tactics or simply enjoy the atmosphere, our team keeps the tone warm and welcoming.

  • ApproachSportsmanlike, conversational
  • SupportHosts on hand to assist
  • BookingSecure your seat via Reservations
Reserve for This Weekend See Functions & Events
Signature cocktails and local microbrews on a dark bar counter inside The Cleaver Room

Signature Cocktails & Microbrews

Crafted Drinks, Served at the Table

Ember-inspired cocktails, local microbrews, and a considered wine list poured without interrupting play.

Our lounge bartenders work in sync with the upstairs floor, timing drink service between hands and rounds. Expect smoke-forward house signatures, reimagined classics, and a tight line-up of local microbrews designed to pair with the woodfired menu below.

Ember-forward cocktails

Charred citrus, smoked salts, and flame-kissed garnishes echo the grill’s fireline.

Local microbrews

Rotating taps featuring Australian microbreweries, poured cold and clean.

Select wine list

Focused reds and crisp whites curated to suit late-evening sessions and rich charcoal flavours.

View Drinks Program

Host Your Private Gathering

Private Upstairs Takeovers & Bespoke Card Nights

Birthdays, corporate socials, and tailored card tournaments in a fully serviced upstairs lounge.

The Cleaver Room is available for partial or full private use, from intimate birthday sessions to structured corporate socials and bespoke card tournaments. Our team can configure the room layout, table formats, and pacing to match your group’s style.

Combine your lounge booking with a woodfired set menu downstairs, pre-game drinks in the bar, or a late-evening dessert service upstairs. Our hosts coordinate arrivals, seating, and transitions so you can focus entirely on your guests.

What we can arrange

  • Table layouts for casual or structured play
  • Hosted introductions and icebreaker rounds
  • Fixed or roaming drinks service upstairs
  • Paired menu options from the woodfired grill

Planning your event

  • Ideal group sizes and timings
  • Preferred card formats for your guests
  • Accessibility and special requirements
  • Budget parameters and package ideas
Enquire About Lounge Hire View Functions & Events

House Rules & Etiquette

Respectful, Welcoming, and Sportsmanlike Play

Clear, easy-to-follow guidelines so every guest feels comfortable, focused, and well looked after.

All players and guests are welcomed with a concise briefing on The Cleaver Room’s house rules. Our focus is on mutual respect, inclusive conversation, and sportsmanlike interaction, ensuring the room stays enjoyable for regulars and newcomers alike.

Respect first

We ask all guests to interact with courtesy. Disagree over a hand, never over a person.

Clear table etiquette

Hosts outline table behaviours, turn order, and how to raise questions before each session begins.

Device consideration

Phones should not distract play. Please keep devices silent and away from active card surfaces.

Host-led resolutions

If a concern arises, our hosts step in to clarify rules and keep the environment calm and fair.

Lounge Entry Snapshot

  • All guests are greeted and briefed upon entry
  • Age requirements apply (see FAQ below)
  • Hosts may reseat tables to maintain flow
  • We reserve the right to refuse entry for disruptive behaviour
View Guest & Privacy Policies

Meet the Hosts

Card Hosts & Tournament Managers

Dedicated in-house hosts keep the upstairs floor moving smoothly, fairly, and on time.

Table Hosts

Our table hosts welcome guests, guide seating, and explain formats before each session begins. They keep an eye on tempo, ensure everyone is comfortable, and act as your first point of contact for any questions.

  • Warm introductions for new players
  • Explaining rules and formats clearly
  • Helping balance tables through the night

Tournament Managers

For structured weekends, our tournament managers oversee rounds, track progress, and keep the schedule on point. They collaborate with the bar and kitchen teams to time breaks with service.

  • Planning brackets and table rotations
  • Timekeeping between rounds and breaks
  • Coordinating with the floor and bar teams

Guest Experience

Whether you are attending alone or with a group, our team makes sure you are introduced, included, and looked after from arrival to last hand.

  • Support for first-time visitors
  • Accommodation of special requests where possible
  • Recommendations for dining before or after play
Learn More About Our Team
Guests enjoying face-to-face card games in The Cleaver Room under ember-toned lighting

Gallery of Recent Nights

Snapshots from recent weekends: packed tables, focused faces, and relaxed conversations above the woodfired grill.

The Cleaver Room comes alive as the evening deepens. You will see returning regulars alongside first-time guests, hands revealed under the glow, and hosts gliding between tables with drinks and quiet guidance.

Weekend regulars

Groups who return weekly for familiar faces, favourite tables, and evolving rivalries.

Mixed groups

Corporate teams, friends, and solo players blended into balanced tables by our hosts.

After-dinner sessions

Guests moving upstairs after steaks, bringing the warmth of the grill into focused card play.

Book Your Next Night Upstairs

FAQ: Card Lounge Access & Booking

Access, Hours, Seat Reservations & More

Answers to common questions about entering The Cleaver Room, age policies, and how to secure your seat.

When is The Cleaver Room open?

The Cleaver Room generally operates on Friday and Saturday evenings, with service commencing from 7:00pm. Specific opening hours may vary for special events and private bookings.

Do I need a reservation to play upstairs?

Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, but reservations are strongly recommended, especially for Saturday tournament blocks or larger groups. Use our Reservations page to request a time and note that you wish to play in The Cleaver Room.

Reserve a Seat

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. The Cleaver Room is an evening lounge with a strong focus on responsible in-person socialising. Minimum age requirements apply in line with local regulations, and may vary depending on the nature of the event. Our team will confirm details when you enquire or book.

Can I host a private event or corporate social upstairs?

Absolutely. The Cleaver Room can be configured for birthdays, corporate gatherings, and tailored card-focused socials. Share your event size, preferred date, and style of play and we will shape a proposal around your needs.

Enquire About a Private Event

What card games are typically played?

Our in-person rosters regularly feature Bridge, Poker, and Hearts, with occasional themed nights and special formats. If your group has a particular preference, mention it in your reservation or enquiry and our hosts will do their best to accommodate.

Is there a dress code?

The overall tone is smart-casual: think elevated yet relaxed. Many guests arrive dressed for dinner downstairs and transition directly to the lounge. If in doubt, choose something comfortable that you would wear to a modern evening bistro.

Can we dine before or after playing?

Yes. We recommend pairing your lounge session with the woodfired grill experience downstairs. You can book a table for dinner and note that you intend to move to The Cleaver Room afterwards, or speak with our team about late-night snacks and desserts upstairs.

View Steakhouse Grill Menu

Ready to Play Upstairs at Thecardandcleaver?

Lock in your evening: woodfired grill downstairs, ember-lit card lounge above, and crafted drinks all night.

Reserve Lounge Seating Talk to Our Events Team