Bars & Pubs

Some pubs trade on history, and O’Connell’s Hotel has 150 years of it. The South Melbourne pub has been slinging pints since 1873, and now, after a thoughtful refurbishment, the local institution is back and better than ever. 

The intimate 21-seat cocktail bar’s drinks list is structured like parts of a garden, with each cocktail designed to capture a different aspect of the environment.

Snack like a Venetian, play cards like a nonno and sip negronis to Italo Disco bangers. Da Bepi
brings the lifestyle of Veneto to Sydney Road with a vibe that mixes vinyl wine bar and retro
social club. 

Step into the heart of warm Mexican food culture at La Tortillería, a traditional yet casual eatery where soulful, bona fide flavours take centre stage. From hand-pressed tortillas to housemade salsas, every dish is a humble homage to Mexico’s rich culinary heritage.

Inspired by Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong, LKF Bar radiates everything the world-famous nightlife district is known for: food, booze, music and a big, big energy. Think private karaoke bar meets delicious dining experience.

Chapati's new Crossley Street home continues its reign as one of the city's most vibrant modern Indian kitchens, but it's the daring upstairs addition—Daaru cocktail bar—that's really setting tongues wagging (and burning). This dynamic duo delivers a complete spice experience, from street food to cocktails, under one roof.

Nestled in the heart of Geelong's Newtown, Woolstore offers a unique and inviting dining experience within a century-old woolstore building. This exciting venue brings together the talents of the team behind the Federal Mills precinct and the culinary brilliance of award-winning head chef Eli Grubb.

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.

The latest venue by Toddy Shop’s Mischa Tropp is modelled after old school Bengali cricket clubs and members bars in India and is serving up up astutely spiced curries and a moody atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from dates to catch-ups or family feasts.

Beneath Flinders Street Station you’ll find this mysterious yet timeless basement bar oozing with old world charm.

This little New York-coded diner on Toorak Road giving big Great Gatsby vibes is the spot for a cheeky mid-week meal out or a terrace cocktail.

Trading the desk for the dough, the Mornington Peninsula local and ex-Urban List ed turned pizza devotee Simon Cassar, has parked his pop-up venture, Pizza Luna, at Quealy Winemakers for a summer residency takeover.

Get that party shirt out and your drinking thongs on, Moon Dog’s fifth monster concept venue in Frankston serving up tropical cocktails and craft brews for days

Yes, it is in Mid-Air. This open-air architecturally designed rooftop is a stunning addition to Melbourne's skyline and your must-do list.

Darts are back, baby.  If you’re anything like us and have been craving something to do while consuming a tasty beverage, Flight Club’s social darts and cocktails situation is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Sitting pretty atop a Cremorne tenth floor is none other than Amatrice, a swish Italian joint that’s changing the rooftop bar game.

Marmelo and Mr Mills promise to bring bold flavors and unmatched vibes to the Paris end of Russell Street, next to boutique hotel Melbourne Place.

San Sebastian is a desired travel destination known for its top-notch cuisine and sandy  village energy—and definitely not something you would expect to find on the shores of Williamstown Beach. Yet here we are, a restaurant that will have you feeling like you’re holidaying in the Basque region.

We said hooroo to the sticky carpets, now we can say hello to some tasty craft beers because The Bendigo Hotel has began life anew as the new home to fellow Collingwood staple, The Mill Brewery

Melbourne has a stack of bars, but none are quite like this, blending Filipino culture and contemporary cocktails into a delicious drinkable treat—say hello to Inuman. The name is a nod to tradition, derived from the Tagalog word ‘to drink.’ 

Say what you like about South Wharf, but it’s moving in the right direction. This used to be the place you came for Jeff’s Shed exhibitions, DFO shopping and ignoring the Polly Woodside.

Who’s the fairest of them all? That title would have to go to Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge, a Snow White-inspired rooftop bar serving up fairytale cocktails and tasty nibbles.

They say all good things must come to an end, but that doesn't seem to be the case for The Punters Club in Fitzroy as it returns to its roots after two long decades. 

Coming in hot with a revamp and supplying locals with a classic watering hole, blended with bistro flair and old school Melbourne charm, it's the Post Office Club Hotel.

Melbourne is known for its institutions, and this one sticks out like a sore thumb— but in a great way. 

The ‘burbs have just scored a slick distillery door and gin bar called Dutch Rules Distilling Co. The focus is, as one would expect, all about the gin with a few bar snacks on offer to soak up the booze. 

You’re in for a treat if your go-to is a martini. Le Martini is the latest spot Crown has welcomed into its stable of venues. Paying homage to its namesake, Le Martini is everything luxurious as it is intimate. We’re talking plush velvet drapery, banquette seating, aged mirrors, and deep blue hues, seating just 34 people.

Moorabbin-based brewery, 2 Brothers, has been brewing and bottling some of the best beer in Melbourne for yonks now. And as good things would have it, the kitchen just got a serious upgrade.

The crown jewel of Andrew McConnell's Trader House empire (Cumulus Inc., Cutler & Co, Supernormal), Gimlet At Cavendish House is an absolute culinary marvel. 

Poodle Bar & Bistro stepped into Melbourne’s dining scene in all its swanky art-deco glory and hasn't loked back since.

Scott Pickett, Melbourne chef and restaurateur can do no wrong and his aptly named, Smith Street Bistrot on Smith Street, Collingwood is no exception. 

While there's certainly no shortage of wine bars in Melbourne CBD, finding one that balances culinary know-how with a perfectly curated wine list (one that doesn't take an hour to read...) can be tricky.

Each time Euro summer rolls around, half of Melbourne is left at home. The least we can do to numb the pain is enjoy some authentic and vibey French cuisine, right in the heart of Armadale.

TBBQ, Brunswick Street’s latest hotspot is where obsession meets the grill. This isn't just barbeque; it's a culinary journey crafted by Tao Ding, a former software engineer turned pitmaster.

Windsor is about to get a futuristic twist with Chapel Street’s latest opening: The Chapel. This isn’t just another bar or restaurant, it’s a portal to a dystopian world where art, music, cocktails, and a Mediterranean-inspired menu collide.

If you are seeking an authentic, fine dining Italian experience in the CBD, you simply cannot go past Bourke Street stalwart, Grossi Florentino Upstairs.

Drawing from their wealth of culinary expertise, Mamas Dining Group has just unveiled their latest venture on Chapel Street, Windsor Wine Room. Departing from the Asian-inspired approach of their renowned restaurants like Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, and Kiss & Tell, this wine bar embraces a European-influenced dining experience.

Indian diner Bibi Ji is bringing the spices of India to Carlton’s Lygon Street, Melbourne’s Italian dining epicenter, with an 80-seat restaurant specialising in dishes inspired by Indian street food. From the team behind the acclaimed Australian-Indian restaurant Daughter-in-Law, Bibi Ji, which translates to ‘mother’ in Punjab, is the brainchild of chef and co-owner, Amar Singh (Horn Please and Dhaba at the Mill).

Celiacs, rejoice. Newcomer Hotel Nacional's main schtick is an entirely gluten-free offering. It’s from the many brains behind Repeat Offender and Rufio, two Latin American-leaning restaurants known for ridding gluten from the kitchen. But with both those out in Elwood and St Kilda respectively, it was only a matter of time before the crew brought their signature flair to the CBD. And after having their eye on the former Campari House place for well over a year, the doors for Hotel Nacional are now open.

Sitting atop Vibe Hotel on the corner of Queen Street and Flinders Street is the tallest rooftop bar Flinders Street has in its repertoire—Fleet. It’s an impressive 68 metres tall which for a visual reference, Melbourne Central’s Shot Tower tops out at 50 metres. 

In 2024, Pinchy’s is lookin’ extra fresh. After four years residing on Bourke Street, the seafood restaurant and bar is ushering in a renewed era, assigning a new chef in the kitchen and rewriting the entire menu.

The humble North Fitzroy Arms. With new ownership comes a new team and a decent sprucing of the space, but the same amount of love that has been poured into the pub for the last 150-years remains steadfast. 

The Bon Vivant's Companion is the latest addition to Mornington’s bar scene—marble bench tops, brass detailing, deep timber floors, and splashes of emerald green. It’s moody, sleek and the epitome of a cocktail bar. Which is what they’re calling themselves, but with over 200 Australian spirits on the shelves, and a whisky and gin list that spans across 10 pages, it’s clear the crew are serious about their drinks.

At Albert Park, you’ll typically find sleek eateries and bars residing in almost every nook and cranny. For owner Baxter Pickard, that was the story of how he came to establish Wally’s: by being in the right place at the right time. By stumbling upon a vacant corner located next door to Bread Club, he envisioned a wine bar fueled by his love for wine and so, brought it to fruition.

Port Melbourne’s Starward Distillery and Bar, named Australia’s Most Awarded Distillery of the Year at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, has unveiled a revamped hospitality experience featuring an open-plan bar and intimate booth seating. 

If you dare climb Swanston Street’s Curtin House stairs or simply take the lift, you'll find Mexican tequila bar and kitchen Mesa Verde sitting high on the sixth floor, just underneath Rooftop Bar.

The restaurant and sibling bar duo isn’t a new concept by any means, but it is one we’ve loved since day one. Apollo Inn and Gimlet, March and IDES, Rocket Society and Rumi—the pairings are designed to extend the dining experience late into the night, and for some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, why wouldn’t you want to? And with that, we welcome Bianchetto, the booze-forward sibling to Mister Bianco in Kew.

South Melbourne has always been a foodie hotspot with the iconic South Melbourne Market, but as of late, there have been more venues popping up left, right and centre. We welcomed UGO Burrata Bar with open arms in January, a flashy Mediterranean restaurant called Lucia swung open it’s doors this month (more on this soon), and mega Brewmanity is gracing the inner suburb any day. Now, cult-followed craft beer Pirate Life is opening its first venue in Victoria after a slew of spots across the nation.

The Albion Hotel has returned to its roots after a few different stints, the space formerly known as Perry’s, a private events venue, and Punter’s Palace in the 90s, a particularly lively pub. Taking on the original name that it wore for the first 120 years of its life, The Albion is reinstating its taproom atmosphere, having been bought by the owners of Bodrigging Brewing Co., Pete Walsh and Anthony Daniel, alongside Jon Costello and Greg Scott. 

Somewhat surprisingly, Melbourne hasn’t had a rooftop brewery bar in her midst yet, but that’s about to change with Brewmanity. With three levels including their brewery, a beer hall and two rooftop bars, Brewmanity will have you covered from top to bottom. 

Sunbury’s Ball Court Hotel is back in the game after a multi-million-dollar transformation—including an all-new 600sqm beer garden. 

After several months of rumblings, hospo heavyweights Maurice Terzini and Joe Jones link-up to bring you an authentic disruption to the city’s bar scene—Purple Pit. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the good-times bowling alley that is The Keys, now is the time to get involved. They’ve just announced an epic new expansion to level-up your dining while you bowl and drink yourself to victory. 

The crew at Brick Lane Brewing have a brand new venture launching at the end of November 2023, and cracking a few cold ones is all but guaranteed. Introducing Brick Lane Market, conveniently located right in Queen Victoria Market. The iconic location is only matched by the building itself—once the premise of the infamous Mercat Cross Hotel (if you know, you know).

Melbourne’s love affair with la dolce vita is not slowing down anytime soon, as embodied by the opening of a brand new aperitivo bar in the heart of the CBD. Torino Aperitivo is the new kid on the block, by the seasoned team behind Beneath Driver Lane. The focus is on bringing aperitivo culture to Melbourne, which entails succulent bites designed to whet your appetite, alongside a few drinks of course. Torino Aperitivo wants to infuse the sweetness of aperitifs with the vibrancy of Melbourne’s unique food scene, aiming for a match made in heaven. 

Mount Macedon Winery has just gone through one helluva glow-up, and within the evolution comes the introduction of Uumm, a fine diner focusing on the produce of Mount Macedon Winery and surrounds. 

New York’s famed mezcal bar, Ghost Donkey, is bringing its Mexican flair and fairy-light-covered ceiling to longstanding nightlife destination Crown Melbourne. 

Northcote’s High Street levelled up when the Northcote Theatre reopened late last year, and now, thanks to music industry heavyweights Crown Ruler, the buzzing northside strip is notching with a new venue called High Note—calling the two ground-level shopfronts home. 

Deep in the backstreets of Footscray, Hop Nation opened up in 2016, and now eight years later, they've cemented themselves in the heart of locals by supplying exactly what the people want—good craft beer.

Nestled in the Melbourne CBD right near Southern Cross Station, V Wine Salon is located inside a gorgeous heritage-listed building that looks like it’s straight out of a European romance novel. Combining high ceilings with a more modern furbishing, the result is a chic, understated wine bar with a seemingly never-ending wine list. 

Straight outta Beechworth, Bridge Road Brewers is gearing up to unveil their brand new venue in Brunswick East. Known for their rustic, gold rush-style aesthetic and variety of craft beers, the new venture will be a tad different - while still having a huge assortment of at least 30 beers on tap, the trimmings will be more glossy and streamlined.

Nestled in at the far north end of Glenferrie Road in Kew is the neighbourhood’s go-to wine bar, Cru.​​ The 28-seat wine bar operates as a family-friendly cafe during the day while transforming into an intimate and low-lit space at night.

You may have heard of a little winery on the Mornington Penisula named Ten Minutes by Tractor—it’s two-hatted and has some of the chicest fine dining you can find in Victoria. Well, the team behind it is elevating the bar for sustainability with the unveiling of their latest dining venture, Allis.

From the suburbs of Sydney to the streets of South Yarra, Yan is the newest smoke-infused restaurant to grace our city. Specialising in Asian cuisine with a smokey, American BBQ twist, this restaurant was awarded the prestigious Chef Hat from the Good Food Guide in 2020, only one year after it opened. 

Odd Culture, a mainstay in Sydney’s most happening district of Newtown, is extending its wings and flying down to Melbourne to set up shop. The Old Culture group, whose venues have gradually augmented from their King Street domain to become dotted all over Sydney, decided there was no better place for their next opening than in Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, and they’re not wrong. Fitzroy has always been a neoteric epicentre of food, drinks, and hospitality, and Odd Culture decidedly prioritises all those things. 

Inside the Social Quarter, Chadstone’s newest hub for all things eating and drinking, comes Cityfields — one of this year’s reasons not to leave Australia in pursuit of an otherworldly European dining experience. 

Formerly located on Toorak Road, Omnia has since shifted to Chapel Street along with head chef, Stephen Nairn (Yügen Dining) still at the helm. The bistro and bar takes pride in serving an elevated selection of drinks and expertly crafted bistro classics that embrace a contemporary touch. 

It's seen plenty in its tenure on Victoria and O’Connell Street in North Melbourne and now after being lovingly restored, the Central Club Hotel is set to usher in a whole new age. 

Curated as a solo endeavour by Brisbane-raised hospo mastermind Alex Gavioli, Don’s is Prahran's top-notch wine bar exuding the ultimate homely atmosphere,  state-of-the-art bites and high-quality drops of vino. 

From the team behind the beloved speciality coffee roasters, Code Black, a brand new venue has sprung up on the ever-bustling Flinders Lane. Introducing No. 100, a wine bar, delicatessen and restaurants all rolled into one conveniently located little package. An all-day venue, No. 100 serves up everything from midday nibbles to a chef-selected menu where decision fatigue is a thing of the past. 

Led by the same team behind Neptune Food & Wine just a few doors down, the industrial-chic surroundings of Young Hearts is set to bring big things to the region. The former stomping grounds of quasi bottleshop and bar Galah, Young Hearts champions the structure's bygone workspace tenure with a myriad of original fittings from steel beams overheard to exposed brick throughout. 

By The Glass, a brand-new, intimate wine bar with sixty-five seats, has recently opened in the former Bouzy Bar venue on the bustling High Street strip. The two-year project by owners Ron Dhali and Gareth Yan has been inspired by European hospitality, with the main focus on giving consumers the choice of enjoying their wide range of wines by the bottle, or, by the glass.

A satellite destination of its mothership, Maha in the CBD, Maha North is imbued with the same charm, swagger and profusion of Middle Eastern flavours.

What started as a little craft brewery serving some truly unique and exceptional beers, has now expanded into a fully-fledged restaurant, brewery, and bar, all in the same location. Molly Rose Brewery, the brainchild of Nic Sandery, has only been open since 2019 but took no time at all to leave an impact on the Collingwood locals.

Pontoon, the beachfront little brother of Melbourne institution Stokehouse, has gotten a facelift, a name change and a whole new menu. Open now, they’re ushering in a new era by introducing the new and improved Stokehouse Pasta & Bar.  Open every day from midday til late, the venue will be focusing on fresh Mediterranean flavours, highlighting the beautiful simplicity that makes coastal dining so appealing. 

Bar Jayda is the latest venture from Shane Delia, an elevated bar space adjoined to Shane's foremost diner, Maha. Since opening back in 2008, the restaurant has been a stalwart of Melbourne's dining scene. "I was blown away when we first opened Maha, the overwhelming response from people, and ever since then people have been asking 'where can we go for a drink before lunch or after dinner, and not really having somewhere," says Shane. 

Pretty Little is the tiny dining room located just off Balaclava’s iconic Carlisle Street. The dining destination practically named itself with the space being just that; pretty little. Here you’ll feel like you’re attending an intimate dinner party with your closest friends and newest acquaintances. This unexpected culinary venture has got hosting long lunches and decadent dinners down to a fine art.

There’s no need to venture out of the southeastern suburbs if you’re looking for a cosy little wine bar. Conveniently located right next to the train station, Murrumbeena Wine Bar is the female-owned joint that is making a name for itself by supporting and showcasing female musicians and bringing them to the forefront. Aside from having a huge selection of wines, spirits, beers and cocktails, music is most definitely on the menu, with live performances on several nights a week. 

Fans of flavour and seafood feasts, listen up. Louisiana-style Crawfish sensation, The Boiling Crab, is bringing their hands-on dining experience to a brand new location in Melbourne’s CBD. 

Melburnian's rooftop bar obsession has been taken to new heights with Sky Bar opening 140 metres above the clouds. The doors are opening on the Yarra Hotel Group’s heavily anticipated venue this Thursday the 30th of June, after a lofty 5 years in development. Slip in through a private elevator entrance along Southbank's bustling Normanby Street and discover sweeping 360 views, stretching from Yarra River to Port Phillip Bay.

LOTI is the latest restaurant gracing St Kilda’s shores. Bringing a strong Mediterranean summer vibe to Melbourne, diners will enter through the Saint Moritz’s sand beige marble archway just off the Esplanade and onto off-cut, stone flooring. The venue gives a relaxed luxury aesthetic, with a curvaceous theme that carries from the leather couches to the banquet seating and bar. LOTI’s namesake, Lady of the Ice, pays homage to the St Mortiz ice rink that once donned St Kilda’s banks—a nostalgic homage to the history and heritage of the precinct.

Just off Essendon’s main drag lies the precinct’s new wine bar, Primrose & Vine. Redefining the traditional bottle shop, the space is fitted out with sleek black finishings, hardwood floors and ambient lighting. The walls are lined top to bottom with wine racks, stuffed with a range of local and international drops that are all on offer. 

A favourite of the region, Mr Joe on Burnley Street in Richmond has been a go-to for elevated European cuisine since opening a few years ago. 

City favourite, Lane’s Edge, has just got a sleek new look. Favoured as a regular haunt for a drink or late-night catch-up, the bar positioned up on the top end of Bourke Street has a storied legacy and now with a fresh lick of paint, it's set to usher in new memories. Headed up by Ian Hicks alongside venue manager, Will Crennan the pair has set to craft an approachable feel to the bar. 

Teo’s quaint space on Malvern Road is quite the charmer, serving up a reliable array of hearty pasta and pizza dishes it has created a new standard for the area. Formerly under the Matteo’s moniker, the Trattoria-style venture comes from owners Matt Vero and Matt Ward, who both served time working at the ever-popular Armadale cafe, Coin Laundry just around the corner. 

Straight out of the swinging light, rock n roll halls of Heartbreaker, in-house pizza bar, Connie’s, has made it big time, securing a trattoria-style diner for its mega slices and Italia-styled dining just up the stairs from the bar.  

Fusing two of Melbourne’s truest loves, the unexpectedly brilliant Yum Sing House seems to have been purpose-designed for scratching that much-needed venn diagram of Cantonese cuisine and Karaoke. Situated down on Sutherland Street in the city, the 1960’s Hong Kong-Inspired venue has taken over the former late-night stomping grounds of Hugs&Kisses.

Craving a cheeseburger, but wanting a meat-free alternative? Hotel Collingwood has got you covered. The stunning, minimalist venue has set foodies abuzz by serving plant-based patties alongside dairy-free cheese. And boy, are those burgs delicious—trust us, you’ll savour every bite. 

Taking its name from French author Jean Savarin, known as the godfather of modern gastronomy; Bar Savarin is the latest diner and wine bar to hit the southeastern suburbs.

 Launching Woods Yard back in 2020—owners and brothers Kris and Aaron Woods have recently re-opened the doors open to their swanky pizza bar in South Melbourne. 

Housed in the former State Savings Bank of Victoria which dates back to 1918, Teller, on Lygon Street in Brunswick East has been beautifully transformed into a sleek new all-day bar and dining spot. This stunning old building with plenty of history has been fitted with an upstairs function room, an airy beer garden, an open-design dining layout and a seriously impressive bar stocking 11 independently brewed beers on tap. 

Taking over the space from beloved wine bar Saint.Urban, this laidback Cave à Manger in Richmond combines the best of both worlds, a relaxed dining experience paired with a seasonal menu, along with a cellar wall filled with 80-changing wines that you’re free to select a bottle from.