Best bars, best bars, best bars... Unlike the bartender we're not going to ask, "what do you usually like?", we're just going to hit you with some straight fire.
That's right, 29 of our editor-approved watering holes. It's tough selecting a spot to get soused, is tonight a hidden cocktail bar with ostentatious beverages smoking with dried ice? Is it a divey local that serves the creamiest pints of Guinness? Or are we just after a solid glass of wine and a catch-up.
Doesn't matter, there's something here for everyone. Literally. Whisky bars, wine stores, local bars, we've scoured every inch of Melbourne to find the bars we reckon you'll love.
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Marmont
River Walk/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
Image: Marmont | Supplied
This new everything venue on the Crown River Walk is the perfect spot for just that: everything. Marmont, heavily inspired by Los Angeles in both decor and menu is a little slice of SoCal on Southbank. We’re calling it the Arbory Afloat for the southside of the river: it’s fresh and it’s fun—and most of all, it’s outside, because we all know Melbourne is seriously lacking in beer garden vibes. Plonk yourself down and work your way through a very summery cocktail list, our top recs being The Starlet—a politically correct twist on the Pornstar Martini, their signature Skinny Margarita (made on tequila not vodka like the U.S. trend, but with no sugar) with a touch of berry liqueur for sweetness or a straight up house martini. These are complemented by a full food menu with a globetrotting menu too if you need a bite. Be warned, this spot is hot right now, book ahead.
Apollo Inn
165 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Apollo Inn | Supplied
Apollo Inn is the very swish sister venue to Gimlet on Flinders Lane. The 30-seat clandestine bar provides a prohibition-era feel reminiscent of a New York speakeasy-style bar. It’s the full cocktail bar experience—the suited-up staff shave ice by hand and mix cocktails for your viewing, from established classics including four types of martini, to speciality aperitifs like the French Picon Biere. And whether you’re coming up to your tenth visit or first, the cocktails change on a monthly basis.
Caretaker's Cottage
139-141 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Caretaker's Cottage | Supplied
A tiny bluestone cottage in the middle of the CBD that also happens to be a bar, Caretakers has become a cherished spot for locals and travellers alike. The heritage building is as tight as bars get with what could be considered one of Melbourne's most-dialled drinks menus. The bar welcomes new cocktail editions every month, but a silky pint of Guinness will never go astray.
Bahama Gold
135 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image credit: Bahama Gold | Willem-Dirk du Toit
Bahama Gold is the plain-old charmer right in the thick of it on the Brunswick East stretch of Lygon Street. Located right next door to its sister venue Old Palm Liquor, Bahama has a more intimate and ambient atmosphere with a 12-seat bar that horseshoes around the entire venue and also features a bottle shop. Because of the design, it best suits people arriving in pairs, but walk down the back to find tables that can squeeze a good four people in.
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Mill Place Merchants
2 Mill Place, Melbourne CBD
Image: Mill Place Merchants | Supplied
Tucked behind a storefront disguised as a suit shop, Mill Place Merchants is as elusive as it is enchanting. Step through the red monogrammed door and into a heritage-listed 1840s building where flickering candlelight and exposed brick walls set the scene. This speakeasy-style cocktail bar has no time for trends, fads, or overly sweet concoctions. Instead, it honours original 1900s cocktail recipes, some even predating the classics. You’ll find the drink that *may have* inspired the margarita in 1937 and a Dirty Martini served exactly as it should be—on a silver platter. This isn’t just a casual drinks spot, smart casual attire is encouraged so make sure you dress the part.
Byrdi
211 La Trove Street, Melbourne CBD
Byrdi, a CBD bar, can be summed up in three words: simple, refined, and elegant. Centred around local and native ingredients, it offers experimental cocktails and highballs featuring dynamic blends with inclusions of fermented, fortified fruits. Alongside its drinks, Byrdi boasts an impressive food menu, contributing to its reputation as one of Melbourne's best bars.
Angel Music Bar
12 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Angle Music Bar | @meaty
Angel Music Bar is a go-to if you're serious about music and appreciate a killer sound system. Resting on Bourke Street, Angel is an audiophile’s dream with a raft of talent taking on the decks, in a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere. Late-night American-inspired snacks that rival Angel’s cocktails can be secured from its adjoining venue Butcher’s Diner.
Henry Sugar
289 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Image credit: Henry Sugar | Supplied
Oh how we could write a love letter to Henry Sugar. Exuding nostalgia, the Rathdowne Street charmer is the epitome of wine and yap. Depending on the occasion, if you’re on a date or catching up with a mate, we reckon you should nestle up inside along the wine-lined wall, and leave the sun-drenched window seating and outdoor space for larger groups. Despite being a bar, the menu by Mike Baker is more than equipped to handle a dinner appetite. For the best experience, lean into the staff reccs.
Leonard's House of Love
3 Wilson Street, South Yarra
Image credit: Leonard's House of Love | Supplied
A true old faithful, the converted house of Leonard's in South Yarra is a haven for Americana-style barbecued food and beers. Like stepping back into the 70s, the retro lounge room and eclectically decorated bar is a popular destination for its picklebacks, ice-cold cocktails, and fried chicken burgers.
Black Cat
252 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Black Cat | Instagram
Hailed as the "beating heart" of Brunswick Street in Fitzroy for over 30 years, Black Cat is nothing less than an institution. With ice-cold beer or cocktail in hand, grab yourself a seat on one of their ridiculously comfy retro couches inside, or in the pavement beer garden on a sunny day—there are even board games for you to play with your mates and dates.
Pearl Diver Cocktails And Oysters
56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters | Supplied
Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters on Little Bourke does what it says on the tin. Get oysters served three ways—natural, dressed, and cooked—alongside a raft of specialty cocktails. For those martini-inclined, you can choose your spirit, style, modifiers and garnish to be served up your way.
Rooftop Bar
Level 7, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Rooftop Bar | Instagram
A flagship among Melbourne bars, Rooftop has long stood as the destination for a quick drink or long afternoon session that rolls into the night. Atop the iconic Curtain House, Rooftops Bar has a spiffy line-up of both local and imported beers, seltzers, cocktails and wines to keep you busy.
Bar Jayda
19 Bond Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Bar Jayda | Supplied
Jayda is the self-proclaimed “thirsty neighbour” of the famed Middle Eastern-leaning restaurant Maha—no wonder it’s one of the best bars Melbourne has to offer. The extensive wine collection is paired alongside a range of seasonal cocktails and on the food side of things, there are share plates from a life-changing focaccia to Australian scampi tartare tart.
HER
270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Music Room | Earl Carter
The well-established five-story CBD labyrinth has made a name for itself. HER, from the creators of Abory and Afloat, occupies a 120-year-old heritage building and boasts a Parisian-style cocktail bar (HER Bar), a dedicated listening bar (Music Room), a Thai BBQ diner (BKK), and a European-inspired rooftop garden bar (HER Rooftoop). Even though we're looking at bars, trust us, lock in and do the whole experience. Don't leave it too late to get in though, because lines build quick and sometimes you can be unlucky and not get in.
Paradise Alley
25 Easey Street, Collingwood
Image credit: Paradise Alley | Supplied
A quintessential bar in Melbourne, Paradise Alley is the laid-back Collingwood favourite on Easey Street. Located down a laneway, this bustling bar is known for its outdoor seating area that seamlessly merges with the lively indoor space, where DJs spin records and the bar staff are always in motion serving up quality craft beers, small-batch gins, and spicy margs.
Kirk’s Wine Bar
46 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Kirk's | Instagram
Kirk's Wine Bar, a well-known fixture among the city's best bars, is the ideal spot for both an arvo wine or more-settled-in dining experience. Nestled in the heart of the CBD, it attracts a dedicated crowd who appreciates the expertly curated drinks list, and the attentive floor staff are ready to recommend anything from Chardonnay to Gamay.
Neighbourhood Wine
1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North
Image credit: Neighbourhood Wine | Supplied
Neighbourhood Wine is always a solid front-runner when plotting a bev-filled evening out and about. Also doubling as a dining venue, Neighbourhood Wine is a favoured destination with up to 400 drops to choose from while getting stuck into their modern yet Euro-leaning menu.
Cherry Bar
68 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Cherry Bar | Supplied
Cherry Bar, once in AC/DC Lane and now on Little Collins Street, embodies Melbourne's rock 'n' roll culture. The live music destination is an iconic nightlife institution and continues to pulsate with energy. The small stage hosts diverse acts, from local talents to touring musicians. It's also one of the few bars in Melbourne with a 24-hour alcohol license.
Pearl Chablis And Oyster Bar
108/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Pearl | Supplied
Dedicated to quality oysters and French wine, Pearl is the charming 20-seat bar hidden away off the top end of Bourke Street. Inside is an extensive selection of oysters from across Australia, as well as a full caviar menu which can be tackled by the gram or the full jar with the help of some potato crisps.
Heartbreaker
234a Russell Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Heartbreaker | Supplied
Heartbreaker may seem like your standard rock 'n' roll dive bar that's open late but a closer look reveals top-shelf drinks, craft beers in giant pints, and massive NYC-style pizzas generously dusted with parmesan and chilli flakes. Closing at 3am across the weekend, many find their way to the swinging bar lamps of this Melbourne bar favourite.
City Wine Shop
159 Spring Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: City Wine Shop | Instagram
Right on Spring Street across from Parliament House, City Wine Shop is widely regarded as one of Melbourne's best bars. With a decidedly chic European ambience, City Wine Shop functions as both a bar and a wine shop, offering an extensive selection of local and imported wines that you can enjoy on-site or take home. The best seats in the house—when weather permits—is outside on the street.
The Black Pearl
304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: The Black Pearl | Supplied
The Black Pearl in Fitzroy is a Melbourne institution, even earning the title of the World's Best International Cocktail Bar some seven years ago. Rather than offering specific drink recommendations, Pearl constantly evolves its menu with the seasons. Bartenders here are encouraged to explore their creativity—whether it's a frozen cosmopolitan one night or bourbon and bananas the next.
Section 8
27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Section 8 | Supplied
What was once neglected laneway space, has now blossomed into one the best bars in Melbourne with converted shipping containers and pallets a' plenty. Section 8 is at its best when the weather is pleasant and the beer is flowing, there are few better spots for a drink.
The Shady Lady
36 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Standing out in a league of its own, the Shady Lady proudly describes itself as a 'tropical thrift store.' The Shady Lady defies the conventions of trendy, austerely decored cocktail bars with an eclectic red velvet curtains neon lights and more. It's also famous for picklebacks, offering a shot of whisky followed by another of pickle brine.
Mr West
106 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray
Image credit: Mr. West | Supplied
Mr. West is a favoured go-to in the West for beer enthusiasts, featuring 24 taps and a carefully chosen selection of indie craft beers, natural wines, and seasonal cocktails. Enjoy the converted industrial ambience as you savour as you sit along the bar, or spread across a table with one of their house cheese boards and really settle in.
Gerald’s Bar
386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
A true dyed-in-the-wool testament to Melbourne's bar scene, Gerald's is what it's all about. Open since 2007 there are over 200 bottles of wine on rotation the food is always changing with a completely seasonal menu. Gerald's charm punches you in the face as soon as you step through the door and the staff here are some of the very best in town.
Siglo
2/161 Spring Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Siglo | Supplied
Siglo isn't your everyday Melbourne bar, perched above City Wine Shop it's an elegant and intimate space that extends out with a terrace overlooking Spring Street. It's mostly top shelf here: the spritz and cocktails are immaculately crafted, the wine list impeccable and there are even Cuban cigars were you so inclined.
Above Board
306 Smith Street, Collingwood
Image credit: Above Board | Supplied
Above Board became famous right from the jump, foremostly because it was so hard to find. A pioneer of Melbourne's hidden bars, the downstairs basement with a long timber island bar features a selection of 25 signature cocktails. There are no elaborate gimmicks or architectural extravagances—instead, it offers a straightforward recipe for good times.
Dr Morse
274 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Image credit: Dr Morse | Supplied
Dr. Morse effortlessly masters that transition from brunch to twilight cocktails, embodying Northside charm for almost a decade. Down in Abbotsford just off Hoddle Street, the always lively space puts a focus on its quality drinks list with minimal intervention wines, craft beers, and cocktails from local spirit distillers.
Eau De Vie
1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne CBD
Eau De Vie oozes elegance. This semi-prohibition-style bar, adorned with its elusive and compelling speakeasy ambience, firmly establishes itself as one of Melbourne's finest. To make the most of Eau de Vie, arrive early and secure your spot, whether it's a plush chair in the whisky lounge or coveted bar stools.
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