The Best Bars in the Melbourne CBD
Perfect for after work drinks or a Saturday night on the town.
When it comes to good bars in the middle of town, the people of Melbourne are spoiled for choice. From swanky cocktail joints to subterranean speakeasies and high altitude rooftop hangouts with views of the city skyline, if you're in the free tram zone it shouldn't be hard to find a decent tipple. Perfect for after work drinks or a Saturday night on the town, here are our picks of the best bars in the Melbourne CBD.
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Bar
Arbory Bar & Eatery
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on.
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Bar
Boilermaker House
209-211 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
The perfect combo of whisky, beer, cheese and charcuterie.
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Bar
Double Happiness
21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne
Bubble cup tea cocktails under the watchful eyes of Chairman Mao.
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Bar
Heartbreaker
234A Russell Street, Melbourne
This wild-child American-style dive bar is a rock 'n' roll dream.
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Bar
Hihou - CLOSED
First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A Japanese-inspired bar behind a secret doorway.
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Bar
Nieuw Amsterdam - CLOSED
106–112 Hardware Street, Melbourne
Inventive, unusual and delicious cocktails with a New York-style menu to match.
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Bar
Polepole Bar & Kitchen
Level 1, 267 Lt Collins Street, Melbourne
Step out of Lt Collins Street and into Africa with killer cocktails and bar snacks.
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Bar
Rooftop Bar
252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Rooftop Bar is the centrepiece of Melbourne's alcohol stocked skyline.
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Bar
The Mill House - CLOSED
277-279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Channel the Prohibition era and sip moonshine below street level.
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Bar
Union Electric
13 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne
This Chinatown bar boasts an ever-changing cocktail offering and a rooftop gin garden.
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Cafe
Local Folk
43 Epsom Road, Kensington
In a pocket of Melbourne teeming with cafes, this is the pick of the locals.
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Sydney Opera House, Sydney
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Wed, 5 Feb - Sun, 9 Feb 2025
HOTA, Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise
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Mon, 16 Dec 2024 - Mon, 31 Mar 2025
Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands, Docklands
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News
Now Open: This Huge Machu Picchu Exhibition Has Arrived in Australia with 134 Priceless Treasures and a Virtual-Reality Tour
In its only season Down Under, 'Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru' is on display at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
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News
You Can Nab a Free Flight Home From Tokyo, Honolulu, Bali and Hamilton Island in Jetstar's 2024 Black Friday Sale
You pay for your flight heading away, the airline throws in the leg home without you paying a cent — including on trips to Osaka, Singapore, Queenstown and more.
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Promotion
Get the Tech You've Been Dreaming of All Year with JB Hi-Fi's Black Friday Deals
Grab that new TV you've been eyeing up all year, now's the time.
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News
Yayoi Kusama Is Turning 60-Plus Melbourne Trees Into Her Latest Polka Dot-Covered (and Bright Pink) Artwork
As part of her huge exhibition at the NGV, the trees in all four lanes of St Kilda Road in front of the gallery are being wrapped in spotted fabric.
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News
Ten of the Most-Secluded Waterfront Getaways You Can Book on the Northern Beaches
You can't jump on a plane to the Riviera, but you can escape the city for a tranquil weekend on Pittwater.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best High Teas for When You Want to Feel a Little Bit Fancy
From art-inspired creations to ultra-decadent chocolate degustations with bottomless sparkling wine, Melbourne's high tea scene is full of contemporary twists.
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Event
Mary Eats Cake's Christmas Festival
Sun, 1 Dec - Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Mary Eats Cake Brunswick, Brunswick
The high tea team is serving up mulled wine spritzes, gingerbread french toast, mini pavlovas, turkey toasties and pumpkin spiced lattes throughout December.
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News
"The Game Will Not End Unless the World Changes": The Full Trailer for 'Squid Game' Season Two Is Here
"We are not trying to harm you. We are presenting you with an opportunity," the guards tell the new batch of contestants in the latest 'Squid Game' sneak peek.
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Event
Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular
Wed, 14 May - Fri, 23 May 2025
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
You'll hear the people sing when this arena spectacular version of Victor Hugo's famous 1862 novel hits Melbourne.
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Event
VAN GOGH, MONET & DEGAS 3D: LASTING IMPRESSIONS at IMAX Melbourne
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 - Fri, 31 Jan 2025
IMAX Melbourne, Carlton
See some of history's most iconic artworks come alive like never before.
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News
Splashing Through Australian Surfing's Beginnings on the Big Screen: Jolyon Hoff Talks 'You Should Have Been Here Yesterday'
When this filmmaker and surfer unearthed a treasure trove of 16mm footage shot by fellow boardriders half a century ago, he turned it into a stunning documentary.
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News
Coming Soon: Levantine Hill Estate's New Hotel Will House Just 33 Luxury Suites Overlooking Its Rolling Vineyards
This Yarra Valley hotel has been designed by the same team who dreamt up Mona.
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News
Here's When You Can Watch the Matildas Take on Brazil and Chinese Taipei in Their Last Matches of 2024
You've got four more chances to watch Australia's national women's football team play this year — all on home soil.
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News
The 21 Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne
At Melbourne's top bottomless brunch spots, you can pair free-flowing margaritas, spritzes, natty wines and beers with breakfast buffets, multi-course set menus, pizzas, curries and drag bingo.
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Event
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Fri, 21 Mar - Sun, 30 Mar 2025
All Around Melbourne, Melbourne
This year's festival includes over 200 food- and booze-filled events, championing local and international chefs.
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News
Coming Soon: Josh and Julie Niland Are Opening Their First Queensland Restaurant on Hamilton Island
The acclaimed duo will pair their fin-to-tail dishes with local ingredients and family-friendly fare as part of the new 59-room The Sundays hotel.
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News
AACTA Festival's Celebration of Australian Film and TV Is Returning to the Gold Coast in 2025 with 100-Plus Events
The Working Dog team in conversation, Oscar-winning 'Dune' cinematographer Greig Fraser, a dive into the 'Heartbreak High' soundtrack: they're all on the lineup.
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News
All About Women Has Announced Its First 2025 Events, Including Comedian Kate Berlant on Her Debut Australian Tour
'Alone Australia' winner Gina Chick and the return of the Feminist Roast are also on the lineup, with full details to be announced in January.
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News
Twenty of the Best Airbnb Stays You Can Book in Tasmania
Book one — or a few — of these cabins, suites and lodges as you plan a trip around the Apple Isle.
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News
Coming Soon: Torquay's New Luxury Day Spa and Bathhouse Is Opening This Boxing Day
The new Torquay spa and bathhouse will be home to a sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor pools, and a selection of wellness treatments.
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News
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival's 2025 Lineup Is Just as Stacked as Ever — With Over 200 Events Taking Place Across Victoria
Local and international chefs will be cooking up a storm all over the state — at fine-dining restaurants, neighbourhood wine bars, parks, wineries, farms and the MCG.
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News
Come Out and Play: The Offspring Have Announced a 2025 Australian Arena Tour with Simple Plan
After The Offspring's 2024 Melbourne gig sold out in 30 seconds, they're coming back to Australia for a four-city trip in 2025.
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Event
Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion
Mon, 25 Nov 2024 - Sun, 19 Jan 2025
Melbourne Museum, Carlton
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum invites you into the world of First Nations fashion and textile design at its latest exhibition.
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News
Great Scott!: 'Back to the Future: The Musical' Is Making Its Australian Premiere in Sydney in 2025
After hit seasons in West End and on Broadway, the award-winning stage version of everyone's favourite time-travelling 80s flick is zipping Down Under.
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News
Childish Gambino Has Cancelled His 2025 Down Under Tour So There'll Be No Summertime Magic After All
It was meant to be the rapper and hip hop star's first trip our way since 2019 — but just like his North American, UK and European dates, it's no longer happening.
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News
CP Staff Picks: The Best Summer BBQ Meals, According to Our Editors
These recipes pack maximum flavour with minimal effort.
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Event
Together for Lebanon Fundraiser
Sun, 8 Dec, 2024
Abla's, Carlton
Abla’s, A1 Bakery, Alimentari, Larderfresh and Linden Cook are joining forces to raise money for people in Lebanon.
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Event
Rhys Darby: The Legend Returns
Tue, 8 Apr - Sun, 13 Apr 2025
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
The New Zealand comedian is bringing his first stand-up show in almost a decade to Melbourne.
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Event
The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale
Sat, 26 Apr - Fri, 30 May 2025
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
The musical version of JRR Tolkien's classic is taking the hobbits to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.
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Event
Lego 'Star Wars': The Exhibition
Sun, 4 May 2025 - Mon, 26 Jan 2026
Melbourne Museum, Carlton
Australia's world-first Lego 'Star Wars' exhibition is soaring into Melbourne in 2025 — from May the fourth, of course.
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News
Get Your Gifting Sorted For the Whole Family with these Black Friday Deals
Turns out you don’t need to break the bank to keep the whole family happy.
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Event
This Never Happened Presents
Fri, 17 Jan, 2025
170 Russell, Melbourne
Dance Music record label This Never Happened is back for another Melbourne party that won't allow phones.
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Event
The Rose Street Market
Sat, 23 Nov - Sun, 24 Nov 2024
Rose Street Artist's Market, Fitzroy
Fitzroy's weekly artisan design and art market is a must-hit if you're up for some weekend shopping and wandering.
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Event
The Fitzroy Mills Market
Mon, 25 Nov, 2024
The Fitzroy Mills, Fitzroy
This much-loved Fitzroy market showcases a top selection of local food producers an makers each Saturday.
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News
Brighton Burger Joint Royale Brothers Has Changed Things Up, Now Operating as a Nostalgia-Fuelled Aussie Diner
All its classic burgers remain, but now you'll also find waffles, avo on toast, spaghetti bolognese and a heap of different schnitties.
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News
Australia's Helpful Map Plotting Out All the Best and Brightest Christmas Lights Has Been Updated for 2024
Enter your postcode or suburb, then find out where to see luminous festive displays near you and around town — 'tis the season.
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News
When a Delightfully Strange Screen-to-Stage Australian Musical Happens: Paul Hodge and Simon Phillips Chat 'Round the Twist'
Have you heard the word about Queensland Theatre and Queensland Performing Arts Centre's new adaptation of the beloved 90s series? We chatted to the composer/playwright and director behind it.
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News
Melbourne's Best Dog-Friendly Parks and Beaches for the Ultimate Pup Time
Guaranteed patsville at these pet-friendly beaches and parks scattered all over Melbourne.
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News
Fifteen of the Most Unique Stays You Can Book Around New Zealand
Spend a few nights in a leafy treehouse, a beautifully restored truck perched right on the bay or even a mountaintop cabin with views for days.
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Event
Etta's Summer Seafood Towers
Fri, 22 Nov - Sat, 21 Dec 2024
Etta, Brunswick East
This incredible wine bar and restaurant is serving decadent seafood towers for just $75 per person every Friday and Saturday afternoon.
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News
The NGV's Huge Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Will Feature Ten Immersive Installations — Which Is a World Record
The Japanese artist's latest Australian showcase will include more of her immersive environments than has ever been assembled in one place before.
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Event
Portsea Hotel's Summer Music Series
Multiple single dates
Portsea Hotel, Portsea
The Presets, Jake Webb, Darley and DJ Levi will be playing waterfront gigs this summer at Portsea Hotel.
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News
Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone Are Headlining Coachella 2025 — Whether You'll Be There or Be Livestreaming
Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, The Prodigy and Kraftwerk are also on the lineup — plus plenty more.
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News
The Ultimate Singapore Food Guide (For More Than Chilli Crab and Chicken Rice)
You’ll be ordering like a local in no time.
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Guide
The Best Brewery Bars in Melbourne for 2024
Sip chilled pints just metres from away where the beer was was brewed at these much-loved taprooms.
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Bar
Bridge Road Brewers Brunswick East
141 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
This Beechworth brewery has set up a taproom in Brunswick East, pumping out plenty of beer and pizza to locals.
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News
30 of the Biggest Savings You Can Score this Black Friday
You don’t always have to drop big bucks to reap rewards.
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Bar
Rocky Ridge Brunswick
130 Barkly Street, Brunswick
Rocky Ridge Brewing is pouring its own beers from the bar's 32 taps, and CDMX is slinging tacos from the airstream outside.
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News
The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels, B&Bs and Self-Contained Getaways in Victoria
Accommodations where both you and your pet can sit and stay all around Victoria.
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News
Now Open: The CBD's Newest Luxury Hotel Melbourne Place Is Home to Three Knock-Out Hospitality Venues
The new 14-storey hotel is home to a Med-inspired restaurant, Portuguese diner and late-night basement bar.
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Event
High Country Hop
Sat, 22 Mar, 2025
Beechworth Historic Precinct Reserve, Beechworth
Bridge Road Brewers' annual beer festival lets punters taste new brews during a huge one-day festival in Beechworth.
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Event
Long Live Longnecks at BANG
Wed, 20 Nov 2024 - Fri, 28 Feb 2025
BANG at The StandardX, Fitzroy
You can get two-for-one Melbourne Bitter Longnecks and $1 homemade dumplings during this happy hour deal.
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Event
Moon Dog's Fizzer BYO Cup Day
Sun, 1 Dec, 2024
Various Melbourne venues, Melbourne
BYO drinking vessel, get it filled with free Moon Dog Fizzer — and celebrate the first day of summer in style.
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Event
Pitch Music & Arts Festival
Fri, 7 Mar - Tue, 11 Mar 2025
Moyston, Moyston
Joy Orbison, Honey Dijon, Funk Tribu, 2manydjs: they're heading to Grampian Plains for this long-weekend festival in 2024.
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News
Shipping Container Installations Séance and Flight Are Bringing Their Thrills to the Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt
These two eerie Darkfield favourites are returning to Melbourne for three months from mid-December 2024.
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News
'Yellowjackets' Is Returning for Season Three on Valentine's Day 2025 — and It Just Dropped Its First Teaser Trailer
This sneak peek at the survivalist thriller's third season is brief — but get ready to eat your heart out come February 14.
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News
The Mightiest Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW
Escape reality with a few nights spent in a secluded mini abode.
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News
Playing a Woman Who Impersonates Her Teenage Daughter in a Dark Australian Comedy: Jackie van Beek Talks 'Audrey'
"You just don't come across these characters very often. Well, I hadn't," the 'What We Do in the Shadows' and 'The Breaker Upperers' star told us.
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News
Coming Soon: A Debris-Strewn Post-Disaster Landscape Is Taking Over Mona's Former Library Space for a Year
French artist Théo Mercier is creating sand sculpture 'DARK TOURISM' to comment on travel to locations with grim histories, as well as the planet's changing climate.
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News
Chapel Street Festival Is Finally Returning in February 2025 After a 25-Year Hiatus
Get around a chap laps car show, live bands and DJs, food and drink stalls, and wellness experiences.
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Guide
The 27 Best Private Dining Rooms in Melbourne
These Melbourne private dining rooms can house your intimate birthday celebrations, luxe date nights and epic Christmas parties.
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News
Joy Orbison, Honey Dijon, Funk Tribu, 2manydjs: They're Heading to Grampian Plains for Pitch Music & Arts 2025
Daria Kolosova, SPFDJ, 999999999, Shanti Celeste, FJAAK, Lady Shaka, Job Jobse: they're all on the lineup as well.
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News
South Melbourne's 150-Year-Old Pub The George Is Reopening This Summer with a New Look and Fresh Food Lineup
The pub is getting a revamped public bar, bistro-style dining room, beer garden and upstairs function space.
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Event
ALWAYS LIVE — Yerambooee
Sat, 7 Dec, 2024
Federation Square, Melbourne
A free communal celebration of First Nations legend and song.