Whether you’re looking for after-work drinks, or having a late night with friends, Melbourne is simply bursting with bars that cater to every taste and preference. Descend into basements, discover neighbourhood watering holes, and sip your way through a variety of lovely libations. Find places devoted to gin, whisky, creative cocktails and more! In no particular order, here are some of the best bars to visit in Melbourne.
1. Caretaker’s Cottage
Arguably the smallest pub in Victoria, the tiny Caretaker’s Cottage was one of the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2023. This historic spot, which once housed the caretaker of Wesley Church, now serves up an evolving drinks list alongside the sweet tunes of spinning vinyl records. Guinness, punch and wine are also available.
📍139-141 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Above Board
The intimate Above Board has also made an appearance on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. To find it, walk down Chopper Lane, just off Smith and Perry Streets, and climb the stairs behind Beermash. Grab a place at the 16-seater bar, order a cocktail, and enjoy a bit of banter with owner and bartender Hayden Lambert.
📍1/306 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
3. Byrdi
Find seasonal drinks inspired and shaped by the Australian environment at Byrdi. This award-winning bar, nestled within Melbourne Central, has rotating conceptual cocktails as well as classic favourites. There’s also interesting house ferments, as well as beer, cider and wine. If you really want to indulge, try their seasonal food and drinks pairing for $220 per person, and enjoy a snapshot of the Australian culinary scene.
📍211 La Trobe Street, Tenancy GD075, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Nick and Nora’s
Feel transported back to the decadent, post-prohibition days at Nick & Nora’s. Inspired by the fictional murder-solving duo from The Thin Man novel, this vibrant cocktail and champagne bar in the heart of Melbourne is the perfect place to go for your next night out. Find plenty of libations to suit your mood, including over 50 types of champagne, a signature list of cocktails and a variety of whiskies, cognacs, spirits, wine and beer. Complement your drink with luxurious treats like oysters, caviar, cheese and cured meats.
📍80 Collins Street via, 11 Benson Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Apollo Inn
On the corner of Flinders and Hosier Lanes, you’ll find Apollo Inn, an intimate space set on the ground floor of a 1920s neo-renaissance building. Created by Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, this cocktail bar is like the ‘little sister’ to Gimlet at Cavendish House nearby. Inside, you’ll find plenty of old-world charm, timeless cocktails and a selection of elegant snacks and share plates.
📍165 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. The Everleigh
Since they began in 2011, The Everleigh has received both local and international recognition, including an appearance on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Step into this intimate cocktail bar in the heart of Fitzroy, and feel transported back to the Golden Age of drinking. There’s heaps of cocktails, wine and beer to try, but if you’re looking for something perfect, opt for the Bartender’s Choice experience. They will ask you a series of questions, and, through process of elimination, they’ll figure out just what you need.
📍Level 1/150-156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
7. Black Pearl
The Black Pearl in Fitzroy has been serving up drinks for 21 years. This award-winning institution has regularly appeared on the list of World’s 50 Best Bars, and has launched of some of Australia’s best bartenders. Find a comfy spot in the venue, or pop upstairs into The Attic, and treat yourself to one of their original cocktails. If you’d prefer to keep it simple, there’s also beer and wine.
📍304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
8. Heartbreaker
Have a rockin’ good time at Heartbreaker. Inspired by American dive bars, this rowdy spot has a jukebox, tempting you to break out into song. Find some liquid courage with their selection of beers and cocktails. If you’re feeling hungry, there’s pizza available by the slice or pie.
📍234A Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Curious
Descend down the spiralling staircase and discover the underground world of Curious. This bold bar at the W Melbourne hotel is serving up plenty of creative cocktails to take you through the night. Discover the best of Melbourne’s northside and southside through their themed cocktail list, and nibble on their menu of small bites and sharing plates. To complete your experience, Curious has DJs playing on Wednesdays from 6:30pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 8pm.
📍408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
10. Bar Clara
Opposite Her Majesty’s Theatre, at the top end of Chinatown, you’ll find a bright pink neon sign. Journey down the stairs, and enter the cosy Bar Clara. This wonderful bar in Melbourne CBD has plenty of creative and seasonal cocktails for you to try. If you prefer something else, there’s also beer, wine and bites. Sink down into the plush velvet seats, sip on your drink and let the chilled beats sweep you away. A portion of cocktail sales supports tree planting initiatives, so you can enjoy your night out without feeling guilty.
📍87 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. The Elysian Whisky Bar
Love a good whisky? You can’t miss The Elysian Whisky Bar in Fitzroy. This cosy venue has a rotating backbar of 350 bottles of rare and interesting whiskies, and roughly ten new whiskies are introduced each week. You’ll also find cocktails, wine and beer. As you drink, listen to the sound of jazz and old classics. A small menu of bar food is also available.
📍113 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
12. Bar Margaux
Venture down into this basement bar in the heart of Melbourne, and grab some pre-theatre drinks at this New York-influenced French brasserie. At Bar Margaux, you’ll find plenty of dreamy cocktails, wine by the glass and a selection of beer. Some cocktails are available in ‘petit’ sizes if you’d like just a smaller amount. Pair it with something delicious, from lighter options like oysters, to something more substantial like steak frites. There’s also dessert if you’ve got a sweet tooth, and a late night menu from 10pm to midnight.
📍Basement/111 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
13. Gin Palace
If you love gin, you can’t miss the wonderful Gin Palace. Established in 1997, this haven for gin enthusiasts has reopened after a month-long renovation, and is bursting with a gin menu with around 200 varieties. If you fancy a martini, there’s plenty of cocktails to try too.
📍10 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
14. Eau de Vie
Feel transported to 1920s prohibition America at Eau de Vie. This incredible speakeasy has an expansive drinks list, filled with creative concoctions, wine, sparkling, beer and whisky. Hidden behind a bookcase, you’ll find the Whisky Room, home to a large collection of rare and exclusive whiskies. Treat yourself to a cocktail degustation experience in the Library, and enjoy a five-course menu along with perfectly paired cocktails.
📍1 Malthouse Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
15. Beneath Driver Lane
Let the taste of whisky and the sound of live blues whisk you away at Beneath Driver Lane. There’s over 500 spirits for you to try, as well as a seasonal cocktail list. Check out their French bistro menu for a bite, with some items available until 3am. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, listen to local and international blues performers live.
📍Shop/3 Driver Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
16. Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar
As you can guess from the name, enjoy fine varieties of Chablis and fresh oysters at Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar. This intimate space in MidCity Centre has over 500 wines from Chablis and Burgundy. If you don’t feel like oysters, there’s other items on the menu like caviar sandwich, beef tartare and smoked mussels.
📍L1 Shop 108/200 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
17. Mr West Bar & Bottle Shop
Head to Mr West in Footscray and find everything you need at this bar and bottle shop. They’ve got 30 taps for you to choose from, as well as a massive list of craft beer, natural wine, cocktails and over 300 artisanal spirits. Graze on something from their small eats menu, then, pop into their bottle shop and find something to take home. The shop has over 500 craft beers, over 200 spirits and more.
📍106 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray VIC 3011
18. Neighbourhood Wine
Head to this wine bar in Fitzroy, and sip your way through their growing list of wines. With around 800 options on the list, you’ll find different varieties from around the world, with a preference towards wine made with minimal, lo-fi practices. At Neighbourhood Wine, you’ll also find a food menu that changes every day, depending on the availability of seasonal produce.
📍1 Reid St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
19. Naught
Discover a speakeasy-style cocktail bar and gin distillery, tucked within the leafy streets of Eltham. At Naught, you’ll find a lengthy menu filled with elegant cocktails that showcase their incredible gin. If you’d prefer something more classic, there’s also a range of familiar concoctions like martinis and cosmopolitans. Pair your drinks with some tasty delights, such as their cheeseboard.
📍2/32 Peel St, Eltham VIC 3095
20. Olivine Wine Bar
For a completely unique setting, why don’t you pop into Olivine Wine Bar at Pentridge Prison? Set within 170-year-old bluestone walls, take a seat within a booth and browse through their massive Book of Wine for a tipple or two. The wine list features bottles from both local and international producers. There’s also cocktails, craft spirits and a menu of sharing plates.
📍1 Pentridge Blvd, Coburg VIC 3058
21. Brunswick Aces
The bars on this list are all serving up great drinks in Melbourne, but, if you’re looking for a place where creative, non-alcoholic drinks are the star, not the supporting act, you should definitely check out the Brunswick Aces bar. This spot was Australia’s first ever, non-alcoholic bar, and every drink on the menu is available in both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options. Find 0% and full-alc cocktails, wine and beer, with both Australian and international options on the menu. Whether you’re driving, staying sober, or moderating your intake, there’s something for you to try. There’s also a range of tasty bar snacks to complement your experience.
📍 124 Weston St, Brunswick East VIC 3057