It’s Negroni Week, Here’s Where To Sip Hot Riffs On This Bitter Icon

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

From 22-28 September, bars and restaurants around Melbourne are putting on special offers,
new negroni inventions, parties and chef’s menu pairings, all centred around this beautiful bev.

So what exactly is a negroni? Whether you like them or not they're a powerful drink to have in your arsenal, with verified fans in the late Anthony Bourdain all the way to Emma D'Arcy. The Italian-rooted aperitivo is equal parts; typically 30mL measures of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari or another bittersweet apertif in the same vein. The result? Pure magic.

So, now you know, where to try? Well, across these 16 spots some are getting in on the charity, some are in it for the love of the ‘groni. Whether you want a barrel-aged specialty, a Filipino riff, a spider-style negroni or a bottomless serve of the classic, here are the spots to celebrate the humble aperitivo in Melbourne for Negroni Week 2025:

Johnny's Green Room, Carlton

Image: Johnny's Green Room | Supplied

Negroni and ice cream? You heard it here first! Carlton’s bustling rooftop bar has partnered with
Pidapipo Laboratoria to whip up two summery specials to suit the warm weather. The Rossa
Negroni Float has mandarin cream zabaglione with sweet red vermouth while the Bianco
Negroni Float has a zingy orange and bergamot sorbet.

Beverly Rooftop, South Yarra

A sky-high negroni with the best views in town! Beverly is stirring down the Camilo, featuring a rich Pedro Ximenez sherry, genmaicha-infused gin and bold Campari. Not only are they donating to Slow Food, but an additional $1 from every ‘groni goes to the Women’s and Girls Emergency Centre.

Il Mercato Centrale, CBD

How many negronis makes a party? Three? Four? What about 14? Il Mercato Centrale has gone all-out for the week, with a dizzying display of negroni riffing. Everything from the classic to barrel aged, smoked, coffee-infused and as a Campari spider. Drinks are served from their Campari bar and cocktail bars, and made to pair with the dishes on offer from their maze of food stalls.
Think, Mezcalita paired with Risotto Milanese, Negroni Sbagliato with fresh oysters and a bourbon Boulevardier with a smashburger.

Republic Economica, South Yarra

The self-styled “recession saviours of South Yarra” have been running a month-long menu of negroni wonders with the classic and three new specials and $1 from each sold goes to Slow Food.

Molli

It’s a triple threat at Molli with three special edition negroni riffs. Honest Mistake is a bubbly number with Campari, Cinzano Rosso, sparkling rosella and roasted vanilla. Sunshine & Balance Beams is a light ‘groni with gin, Cinzano Bianco, grapefruit and Silver Wattle Amaro. Prefer a punch? Breakfast in Bed is a boulevardier riff with bourbon, Campari, Cinzano Rosso, espresso and clarified toasted pastry milk for a deliciously sweet milk punch.

Goodwater, Northcote

It’s a li'l American twist here, of course, with sarsaparilla and caraway in their spice infused negroni, featuring Melbourne Gin Co, Campari and cocchi Torino. $24, with $5 from every drink donated to Slow Food.

Beneath Driver Lane, CBD

Closing out the week with a bittersweet bang! On 28 September, Beneath Driver Lane is throwing a negroni party with blues roulette and signature negronis! Plus, your $5 entry fee goes to charity. Party with a purpose.

Hazel, CBD

Sidle up to the bar at Hazel for your Flinders Lane fix. It’s your choice of three: quince and quinquina negroni, strawberry and soju negroni or the rich banana and wattleseed negroni. Elegant.

Inuman, CBD

Italian classic with a Filipino twist. Inuman uses their own Dutch Rules Pinoy gin, a banana peel- infused Campari and a Saison walnut vermouth with kumquat.

Bar Selecta, Hawthorn

Not content with one special, Selecta’s pulling out every riff they have for a week of special negronis, each with a different spirit: their Selecta’s Negroni with shiso sake, a mezcal negroni, a boulevardier, a rum negroni and a sake negroni. Come enjoy a negroni every which way.

Arcadia, Fitzroy

Image: Arcadia | Supplied

How about bottomless negronis? You can add 1.5 hours of bottomless ‘gronis to any main dish for $49. And it’s not just weekend brunches: that deal runs any time. If you’re feeling a bit less extravagant, they also have the classic for $12, as well as the Sexy Cousin with Aperol, gin and sweet vermouth, and the $10 negroni sbagliato.

Luxsmith, Seddon

Image: Luxsmith | Supplied

A triple-threat negroni deal! Luxsmith has three special negronis on for the week at $22 each, including an intriguing Nankai Negroni with shochu. But you can get a flight of all three for a steal at $30. What better way to celebrate the ‘groni?

Bottega, CBD

Image: Bottega | Supplied

A swish one for the superfans. Bottega’s not just serving negronis, they’re running a four-course chef’s menu paired with the bittersweet bev! You can enjoy your tagliolini with tuna crudo, lemon and cultured butter, classic negroni in-hand, or you can opt for their curated cocktail pairing, each with a different negroni riff for a different course.

Peaches Wine Bar, Thornbury

How about a keg of negroni? Peaches Wine Bar will be pouring their special negroni on tap all week: Negroni, steeped in rooibos tea, served with a single slice of lemon. $22.

The Rochey, Fitzroy

Image: The Rochey | Supplied

On Sunday 28 September, you can round out the week with $16 negronis all day at The Rochey! Kick back and relax, grab a burger and enjoy the sunshine.

Nixie Nox, Richmond

Richmond’s teeniest pub has gone big, with $18 Negronis (as well as Kingstons, boulevardiers and Rositas) for the whole of September! Last week to get them, better hurry.