From Dim Sim-Topped To Tajín-Rimmed, These Are The Best Bloody Marys In Melbourne

It may sound like a classic, but you don't often hear "bloody mary" when you ask someone for their go-to cocktail. Perhaps that's because it’s a deceptively hard one to get right. But a bloody mary made well is bloody good, and we think if more people knew where to get them, they'd become a far more beloved drink. 

From the perfect tomato juice to a uniquely concocted spice mix and extravagant garnishes, here are seven venues around Melbourne doing great bloody marys, each with something a little special about them.

For The Umami-Obsessed: Pearl Diver

56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

Image: Pearl Diver | Supplied

With a custom glass dedicated to the drink, you know you can trust Pearl Diver to deliver a good Bloody Mary. This one is all about dialling up savoury depth without tipping into soup territory. Here, vodka is paired with salted medium-dry sherry, then layered with a house “secret sauce” blending Worcestershire, vegetarian oyster sauce, horseradish, Old Bay and Maggi seasoning. The result is a deeply umami, spice-laced Bloody Mary, finished with lemon and pickles.

For A Cheap And Cheerful Sip: The Cornish Arms Hotel

163A Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056

Image: The Cornish Arms Hotel | Supplied

At $16, the bloody mary at The Cornish Arms is hard to beat. You’re getting a proper 45ml pour of vodka with all the usual suspects: lemon juice, Tabasco and Worcestershire, with a Tajín rim and seasoning through the mix that brings a citrusy chilli kick. Finished with green olives and pickles, it’s a classic that won't break the bank.

For A Little Theatre: The Blu Oyster Co.

45A Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 3182

Image: Blu Oyster Co | Supplied

Now, for something a little different: a bloody mary experience in the form of an oyster shot. At The Blue Oyster Co., you're served a freshly shucked Tasmanian oyster alongside a beaker of mix made each morning with rich tomato juice, Lea & Perrins, Tabasco and fresh chilli, always paired with Grey Goose vodka. It’s served with cucumber and lemon, so you can go classic or deconstructed—pour the mix over the oyster or drop it straight into the shot. 

For The Maximalists: Easey’s

3/48 Easey Street, Collingwood, 3066

When you search for a bloody mary, you’ll often see images that focus more on the garnish than the drink itself, likely because of how well a little extra flair (read: fresh veggies, pickles, a little salty snack) pairs with the rich, savoury, spicy base. Easey’s leans right into that idea, serving a jalapeño-spiked bloody mary loaded with garnishes like dim sim, bacon and extra jalapeño—turning your drink into a full-blown snack.

For Custom Spice: The Catfish

30 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 3065

Image: The Catfish | Supplied

At The Catfish, owner Michael Shaughnessy has mastered the perfect Bloody Mary base. His tightly guarded house spice mix developed over years working in UK hotel bars is a true secret—even his business partners don’t know the ingredients. That secrecy ensures consistency, while the heat can be tailored from mild to “blow-your-head-off”. Garnished with celery, house-made pickles, lemon and cracked pepper, it’s a crowd favourite, with variations including house versions of a bloody maria (tequila), red snapper (gin) and bloody caesar (Clamato), so you can match spirit and spice to preference.

For A Booze-Free Option: Builders Arms Hotel

211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 3065

Image: Builders Arms Hotel | Instagram

For those who want to indulge in a classic bloody mary without the lingering taste or effects of alcohol, the Builders Arms has you covered with its Virgin Mary: made with a house bloody mary mix, tomato juice and Scrappy’s Firewater bitters, it delivers spice, savouriness and a proper kick, without the alcohol—a considered zero-proof option that still feels fully grown-up in flavour and intensity.

For A Slow-Building Kick: Borsch, Vodka & Tears

173 Chapel Street, Windsor, 3181

Image: Borsch, Vodka & Tears | Instagram

At Borsch, Vodka & Tears, the bloody mary starts with house-made garlic and chilli-infused vodka, giving it distinct depth and heat from the first sip. Combined with tomato juice and fresh lemon, and finished with cucumber, celery, olives and Tabasco, it’s a classic made bolder without compromising balance.