Bars & Pubs

Looking for the best things to do in Melbourne in January 2026? From blockbuster food festivals and pop-up markets to immersive art shows, live music gigs and family-friendly events, the city is heaving with must-see happenings.

It's the earmarked sports event of the summer, the Australian Open 2026 is the iconic stretch of January where Melbourne suddenly transforms into tennis-arm-chair experts. 

We’ve got a stacked lineup of the upcoming theatre shows and musicals Perth is scoring this year that’ll have you snapping up tickets, from iconic musicals to world-renowned plays. So book in that early bird pre-show dinner and prepare to be entertained. 

​Sometimes you just want to splash out on something spesh, and Melbourne's the place to go if you want to pair your luxury stay with world class food and epic views.

Jump on the true crime bandwagon, hit play, and start bingeing these must-listen podcasts.

If there’s one genre we can’t get enough of for a binge session, it’s crime. From gripping detective dramas to chilling serial killer series, these 32 Netflix crime shows will have you hooked.

Pass the popcorn—these are the best new movies to stream on Stan right now.

From crime thrillers to suspenseful Christmas terrorist plots, the best thrillers are now streaming on Netflix.

Stay updated with the best movies and documentaries on Netflix Australia this month. Your ultimate streaming guide is here.

Craving something cold? From classic gelato to inventive local flavours, here’s where to find the best ice cream in Singapore, perfect for sunny days, late-night sugar fixes, or just because you deserve it.

Your trusty Entertainment Editor's monthly recommendations to save the hours of trailer-surfing.

Melbourne's breakfast scene is unmatched—often imitated in cities around the world but never replicated. With so many stunners out there, some truly iconic brekkies have emerged. We gotchu covered with the best breakfast Melbourne has to offer for 2026.

Our editor reckons these 10 restaurants, from casual to fine dining are the best restaurants in Melbourne as of 2026. How many have you been to?

Light to Night Singapore 2026 returns from 9 to 31 January with its longest festival yet, new SANTAI art installations, projection mappings, and free programmes across National Gallery Singapore and the Civic District.

We're cutting the niceties and sharing with you our picks for the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast in 2025.

This new spot by restauranteurs Michael Badr (Marameo) and Marco Tenuta (Marameo, Il Bacaro) opened in November and is delivering old-school high-energy hospitality with a neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall feel.

 With a stacked calendar of festivals and events lighting up regional Victoria, the season’s never looked so good.

‘Tis the season to spend—on others. The annual festive-feels spending-spree is well underway, as the hunt continues for stocking-fillers and Secret Santa “it’s the thought that counts” prezzies, right through to let’s blow the budget items.

Whether you're a seasoned BTV camper or a first-timer ready to enter your festival era, here’s everything you need to know before packing the car and hitting the road.

BYO hot chocolate (or iced, it's Brisbane after all) because it's time for the most festive road trip ever. 

Discover the top villas in Canggu, Bali, handpicked for luxury, comfort, and stunning views. Explore beachfront, private pool, and modern villas perfect for your 2026 Bali getaway.

From jaunts under the sea to sensory deprivation and Village People-themed discos, this concept-dinner-show-bar-chaos with a two-month waitlist is the most fun you’ll have at the table all year.

Conscious gifting just got chic. From refillable beauty buys and recycled gold jewellery, these sustainable gifts get our green thumbs up.

The food news has been coming in thick and fast in Melbourne, and to make sure that you're across Melbourne's food and bev movements, we've wrapped up everything that you need to know in a handful of digestible servings.

Is it better than Christmas coming early? Not quite, but we'll take five new train stations instead.

The merry season in Melbourne is drawing near, and it’s time to get those Christmas photos sorted! 

Get ready for The Waterside Hotel—a seven-level Flinders Street venue with a rooftop bar, Asian restaurant, and restored 1925 facade.

Keen eyes watching the Prahran side of High Street will have noticed The Smith quietly shut its doors and has been amidst a glow-up (and dare we say it, a serious upgrade).

Want to stay up-to-date about what's happening in your city? We've got all the latest goss on what's happening in Melbourne right here.

Fancy foie gras? The stigma long associated with what's regarded as the pinnacle of haute cuisine might have gone out the window with this lab-grown solution.

Kensington’s beloved local, the Doutta Galla Hotel has officially reopened its iconic red doors after a year-long renovation that has completely transformed the 1889 landmark.

Oh how we love Tassie. With its rugged natural beauty, sumptuous food scene and unmatched cultural offering, Australia's wild southern island is a beacon for adventurous, creative souls year round. 

In a matter of months, Fitzroy’s Toddy Shop, as we know it, will be no more.

Listen up, egg-lovers, protein-fiends and home cooks alike. World Egg Day (11 October) is approaching, and this year, it’s so much more than just a runny, golden yolk on your avo toast.

Daphne is the new venture by the Etta crew that's on everyone's lips at the moment—the opening is set for 10 November on Lygon Street in the old Bar Romantica spot. 

Ready for a blast from the past? Combining the nostalgia of the Australian classic chicken shop with punchy, contemporary Athenian wine bar vibes, Kokoras is bringing woodfired, Greek style chicken to the inner west. 

There are plenty of ways to make the most of the Melbourne Cup public holiday. It starts with a coffee at your local, then the day could likely mosey into a meal at the pub, followed by a cocktail and bite at one of the many watering holes open on Tuesday, 4 November.

If you’ve been sensing a distinct lack of excitement in Melbourne’s cookie scene, you’re not alone. While our city boasts an enviable lineup of pastry maestros and artisanal ice cream, the humble cookie has often been left as an afterthought on the cafe counter.

Melbourne’s best pubs are redefining family-friendly dining—with proper playgrounds, delicious food  and cocktails to top you off. We’ve hunted down the 20 spots where kids go feral in enclosed play zones, teens disappear into arcades and parents finally get to enjoy a meal while it’s still hot. Genius? Absolutely. Long overdue? Even more so.

Get ready to twirl your fork as a heap of eateries across Melbourne celebrate World Pasta Day (October 25).

The team behind one of the city’s best rooftops is working their magic on the King & Godfree building, with plans for a neighbourhood osteria, a casual pizzeria and basement cocktail bar.

It's that time of year again, Melbourne. As the chill finally breaks, our beautiful city and its surroundings are ready to burst into a glorious palette of colours. Get your cameras ready, because spring has sprung.

Hotdogs. No mere sausage-and-bun, but an American icon synonymous with baseball, the Fourth of July, Manhattan street-vendors and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And a strong contingent have sprouted up in Melbourne.

Hawthorn’s swish new Japanese-style laneway listening bar is more than just a shrine to vintage hifi. Beyond the wall of vinyl and whisky bottles, and the eye-catching seasonal cocktails, is a fridge of ever-changing sake awaiting discovery.

Melbourne's retail game is (back) alive, with an influx of international traders rushing to the CBD amid vacancy rates dropping to a new low.

Beneath Gimlet is a subterranean shrine dedicated to a silky, region-specific ramen that will have you coming back time and time again.

Two-hatted fine-diner Audrey’s in Sorrento is gearing up for a glow-up, rebranding as Ember as the Scott Pickett Group brings in administrators to reset and refresh the business.

Remember the Golden Square car park? Wipe it from your memory. This spring, that concrete slab on Lonsdale Street is transforming into Spiegel Haus Melbourne, a dazzling, two-level entertainment precinct designed to be your summer destination for a cack and a cocktail.

It’s the most refreshing time of year: spring has finally sprung and it’s time for Negroni Week.

Nearly three thousand independent, ambitious artists—in more than 500 events—are at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. As they take to the stage, the aim is to entertain, titillate and astonish, perhaps even provoke, challenge or stun.

It takes a lot of courage to up-stumps when you know something isn't working, and that's what one of Melbourne's best chefs has done with his Latin American passion project.

When was the last time you felt immersed in a meal? Gathered with strangers and tried something unique? Heard the story of dishes created especially for you?

Never mind the rides and the showbags. The main reason to get excited about the Melbourne Royal Show is the food. And no, we’re not talking toffee apples and fairy floss, but the smorgasbord of street eats from some of Melbourne’s best-known food trucks, cafes and diners that gets bigger and more diverse every year.

Melbourne is getting a little taste of Tasmania, with the city’s very-own Sauna Boat set to open this weekend.

We’re pretty lucky in Victoria, we definitely have some of Australia’s best country pubs. Big, grand old dames, or ramshackle, quirky little numbers with plenty of nooks and crannies. Victoria’s Best Country pubs are tough to nail down. Is it the vibe, is it solid gigs, where does food fit into the equation? What about a bangin’ wine list, because that certainly exists too.

Fed up with the dreaded “Are we there yet?” echoing from the back seat? If one more car journey soundtracked by cocomelon and the smudge of a ketchupy finger on your last clean device is your final straw, we’ve got you. It’s time to swap screen time for scene time.

This market-based food truck is serving up the next viral trend you're about to see in your feeds: soggy burgers. We're betting Melbourne's gonna go wild.

Looking for the best cheap eats in Melbourne? We've got you covered with a curated list of delicious, budget-friendly spots around the city. Dive into our picks for the top cheap eats Melbourne has to offer and discover how to satisfy your cravings without splurging.

Just like New York—where Sex and the City-famous Magnolia Bakery made tubs of banana pudding go viral—Melbourne is now hopping aboard the trend. 

Consider this your all-access pass to the country’s most humble hidden gems and family-run faves that are serving serious flavour across regional Australia. 

Not to get you stressed but Father’s Day is fast approaching… it’s September 7th for those who are freaking out thinking it was 3 months away—don’t worry that was us this morning. Forgot to pick up something for Dad? Not sure where to spend the big day to celebrate? We have got you covered with everything you need to know before the day of all things Dad arrives. 

If you’re seeking a sugary treat with a dollop of nostalgia, these eateries are serving up classic desserts set to send you hurtling back in time.

Cheers to that! An enormous 1200sqm, $7 million-dollar brewery in the heart of Chadstone’s The Social Quarter precinct, is set to open next month, serving more than a dozen unique craft brews.

At Cumbé, Mexico City meets Melbourne over coffee and a sandwich. Specifically, tortas, one of Mexico City’s everyday pleasures.

The Gold Coast light rail has already changed the way we move once, and Stage 3 is set to take things even further.

Book in your tix for this single-screen, 64-seat charmer with daily sessions from 11am, late shows on weekends, a licensed bar—and house-made choc tops plus Pat & Stick’s ice-creams.

There’s nothing more comforting than a ball of sticky rice, seasoned perfectly and stuffed with pickles, egg, meat or even just a spot of tinned fish. 

“Get a room,” they said—so we did.

At the end of the 19 tramline are adana kebabs people travel far and wide for, waiting patiently as the intoxicating smell of spiced lamb and charcoal wafts from the Coburg North food truck, which is finding its very own brick and mortar home.

With the highly anticipated debut of Pop Mart's flagship in Melbourne, the city’s love affair with eccentric collectibles has reached a fever pitch. And this time, it’s all about Labubus—the adorably fanged monster with a name that sounds like you’re accidentally summoning a demon.

Fancy a UNESCO-listed soup? At Otakoï on Chapel Street, dishes like borshch (a “Ukrainian icon”) are given pride of place by co-owner Hanna Kachura.

Inspired by his grandfather, Tom Sarafian’s first restaurant Zareh is set to open in a matter of days, serving delicate cuisine inspired by Armenia and Lebanon.

For years, Sydney’s biggest buzzkill hasn’t been the lockouts, it’s been the logistics. The good news? Transport upgrades and new late-night reforms are slowly being introduced, which are about to make your Saturday night commute a whole lot less of a headache. 

For reasons we all know, the not-so-humble Beef Wellington has been courting attention, so where can you actually try one?

Will East Brunswick Village ever stop? The latest addition to the hub's smorgasbord of offering is the much-hyped Korean spot, Dodam.

Clear your calendars—MECCA’s game-changing Bourke Street flagship store's opening is imminent and we're betting those queues will be crazy.

South Melbourne is about to score a serious new wellness flex with the arrival of Saint Black.

Somewhere between smashed avo and artisanal gelato, Melbourne rediscovered its love for the humble fro-yo. Suddenly, those self-serve swirl bars are everywhere again with half of Melbourne wandering the streets clutching those telltale mini tubs—their contents barely visible under mountains of toppings.

After quietly closing at the end of 2024, the Yackandandah Hotel—affectionately known as ‘The Bottom Pub’—has reopened, helmed by a top-tier Melbourne chef.

Saúde! Melbourne’s favourite floating party palace, Afloat, is back for its 10th season on the Yarra and this time, they’re ditching Melbourne for the golden beaches and samba beats of Rio de Janeiro.

Whether you’re a literature buff swooning over the likes of Mr Darcy, wading through the mysteries of Hill House, or simply a sucker for a good antipasto, this unique bookclub is unrivaled in Melbourne’s current novel landscape.

Grab your sunnies (and perhaps a seasickness pill) ‘cause whale watching season is upon us. 

Global celebrations dedicated to a classic pasta dish? Sure, we’re in.

We may not love Melbourne’s cold, but it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Sure, you can enjoy hot chocolate any time of year (no judgment here) but there’s something special about cradling a warm mug in both hands, savouring its silky richness as it melts away the chill.

Formerly reserved for snacking, or maybe the odd sprinke on top of a cannoli, pistachio has come a long way, ingratiating itself with chefs and patissiers alike. Now, it's impossible to find a menu without it.

You’ve seen him on MasterChef, you’ve probably drooled over his food—and now renowned Aussie chef Shannon Bennett is back in his hometown, slinging stripped-back but seriously cheffy dishes in Fitzroy.

Melbourne's matcha scene has been flooded with ceremonial grade tea, but among global price hikes and long processing times, experts say it's not right for your daily brew. Here's what to look for in your morning matcha and our favourite spots.

Peninsula fave Alba Thermal Springs and Spa has just launched a brand-new on-site accommodation offering: The Sanctuary—a collection of hilltop villas overlooking the lush surrounds of Fingal.

Pssst... Word is that there is a GLO up on Lygon Street (that is, a new GLO Gelateria of course!). The owners of the beloved Universal Restaurant on Lygon Street are taking a step into the dessert realm, and we are here for it.

The crew that brought us Tipo 00 are back at it again with their fifth restaurant, but this one is noticeably different.

Get ready to relax and unwind as this bougie spa institution, originally hailing from the Gold Coast, swings open its steamy doors to its first Melbourne outpost in South Yarra. 

One year after her initial diagnosis, we chatted to Sophie about resilience and hope, revealing how she regained control of her health, reshaped her mindset and found strength in MSWA

Rainy day? School holidays? Just need to get the kids out of the house before they climb the walls (or you do)? Melbourne’s packed with indoor play centres that go way beyond your average ball pit. 

After weathering the unexpected loss of its Cremorne HQ with just four weeks’ notice, cult-favourite Tarts Anon has made a triumphant return—this time with a new light-filled flagship on Church Street in Richmond.

Feeling like the Melbourne nightlife is looking a little samey-samey? Us too, there’s are only so many tucked away wine bars and eateries you can adventure to for date night, so why not try something a little different.

Remember The Crafty Squire on the corner of Russell and Little Collins? The iconic venue has had a bangin' renovation and is now serving up a stunning city-view rooftop and boozy slushies. 

Perth—your time has come. Metronet is the quiet revolution changing how we get around.

There’s something deeply fulfilling about breaking into a bar of the Viral Dubai chocolate—the crisp snap of a perfectly tempered block, the slow melt of velvety chocolate on your tongue. If you’ve seen Kourtney Kardashian breaking apart her Kit Kats in that oddly satisfying way, you’ll love the Viral Dubai chocolate for the same reason. 

Tiramisu —literally “pick me up” in Italian—more than lives up to its name, with a mood-boosting trifecta of coffee, sugar, and creamy decadence. While its traditional recipe (and origin) are hotly contested we do know one thing, Melbourne has some bangin' iterations.