Five Bars for Afternoon Drinks in Melbourne

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One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks – whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a day out in the sun, heading to the pub after a long day of work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for a friendly barbecue.

We love afternoon sessions, and we've partnered with Heineken 3 so you can love them too. Here's a list of five places where you can grab an afternoon beverage and soak up the summer sun.

LOOP ROOF

Succulents line the edges of this rooftop oasis, located in the middle of Melbourne's CBD. Elbow your way into one of the tight booth seats with a group of friends or pounce on one of the many garden tables and relax in Loop Roof's sunshine. In preparation for Melbourne's classic 'four seasons in a day' weather, this rooftop is fitted with gas heaters and a large awning shielding the seats from possible downpours, making it the perfect rooftop bar for all seasons. When the sun is shining, it's perfect for a drink after work.

COLLEGE LAWN

Nestled in the terrace-lined backstreets of Prahran, this southside pub and bistro is a dependable local that no doubt gives its neighbours some grief over the weekend. In addition to a main bar, dining area, public bar and bottle shop, the large astro-turf beer garden can house hundreds on hot summer days, and regularly does of an afternoon. Crisp beverages are in easy reach, and during the week College Lawn is a relaxed little hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street.

THE EMERSON ROOFTOP

This swanky South Yarra establishment is your best bet for rooftop beverages south of the river. With a fully retractable roof, The Emerson is a great destination all year round – and an a la carte dining option Thursday through Sunday only sweetens the deal even further. Pull up a day bed on the full-length deck with Heineken 3 in hand and sunglasses firmly in place, and get ready to watch the afternoon sun sink slowly below the horizon.

TEMPERANCE HOTEL

Another Chapel Street classic, the Temperance Hotel has long been serving up lunch, dinner and drinks to all those who seek it here. This modern corner pub has a range of street tables, which are definitely hot property come the weekend. You would do well to grab one of them and spend a lazy afternoon here soaking up the sun and chatting. Their food list is comprehensive, and the portions are almost big enough to pass for lunch and dinner. So there's that too.

MT ERICA HOTEL

Sundays at the Mt Erica Hotel is all about food trucks, Sunday roasts with perfectly crackly potatoes, and live music to round things off from 4pm. In case you weren't already convinced, this spot has a really relaxed vibe and an atmosphere that's pretty special. There's also a huge array of big screen TVs (so you never have to miss a moment of the sports action), a fancy dining room that's pretty delish,  and pool tables for clicking some balls around. Perfect.

Enjoy your summer afternoons with the new low-carb Heineken 3 – we're helping you make the most of them.

Top Image: Loop Roof.