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Overview
It's no secret Melbourne is home to some of the top bars in the country — and some of the best are hidden in plain sight. The city is full of under-the-radar spots slinging bespoke cocktails from basement lounges and concealed speakeasies to rooftop watering holes, especially if you fancy an adventure to the southern end of town.
Next time you find yourself in St Kilda and Southside, be sure to drop into one of these standout establishments for a glorious night of unconventional cocktails and bites.
Whether you're after champagne and an opulent dinner, fairytale-themed drinks above the city, or just a chill beer in a leafy courtyard with your best furry mate, we've rounded up six inventive bars for your upcoming date or group gathering in South Melbourne, in partnership with St Kilda and Southside.
Castlerose
Hidden beneath South Melbourne cafe Clementine is Castlerose, a luxe supper club inspired by old-world Europe that somehow manages to be moody yet exceedingly playful. Sip champagne in vintage-style coupe glasses or opt for a classic cocktail with a twist, like the Sidecarriage with Calvados brandy, St Germain elderflower liqueur and lemon, or Ode to Jörg with Plymouth Sloe gin, lemon and Thai basil.
If you're hungry, the luxe-European style menu includes a bougie confit duck cigar (delightfully served in a wooden cigar box alongside an ashtray of olive dust), plus the likes of lobster roll, steak tartare and seafood pie. And be sure to keep an eye out for the roving cheese cart, stacked with a rotating selection of local and imported wedges and wheels.
Castlerose is located at 67 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne.
Voodoo Lovechild Speakeasy
This dimly-lit, vibey cocktail lounge brings the lively spirit of New Orleans to St Kilda, with live tunes every Thursday to Saturday and a broad drinks menu of classic and Southern-inspired cocktails.
Pair a signature sazerac with a selection of soul food, such as a muffuletta sandwich, cornbread waffles with jalapeño maple butter and cajun fries. The weekly specials are equally comforting and layered with Southern warmth, operating on a schedule of jambalaya and beer on Wednesdays, Po' Boys subs on Thursdays and fried chicken and waffles on Fridays.
Voodoo Lovechild Speakeasy is located at 143 Chapel Street, St Kilda.
Ghost of Alfred Felton
Venture up the stairs at beloved pub The Espy, and you'll find a cocktail bar dedicated to Alfred Fenton, an entrepreneur, chemist, philanthropist, art collector and late resident of the Espy. His ghost isn't actually part of the furniture, but his influence is plain to see.
The venue boasts views of St Kilda Pier and is split into three areas, each paying homage to a period of Felton's life. Some small bites are available, mainly decadent cheese and charcuterie offerings, but it's the drinks that steal the show here. Feltons work in the medicinal industry as inspired a cocktail list that celebrates the 'un-ordinary' qualities of drinks — take the Garden of Secrets, made with Tanqueray Gin, St Germain Elderflower, lime, aloe vera, cucumber and botanical soda. There's also an extensive whisky list and some vintage champagnes that cost upwards of $500 (but are worth the investment).
The Ghost of Alfred Fenton is located at 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda.
Rosie's
Follow the sounds of vinyl on Ormond Road in Elwood to find a welcoming outdoor courtyard surrounded by greenery and lit up with fairy lights. This is the newly opened Rosie's, which serves supreme vibes alongside simple cocktails, wines and beer behind Johnny's Coffee Roasters.
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays, the casual bar is all about kicking back and enjoying good tunes. Most importantly, it's also dog-friendly, so you can bring along a pooch and expect to meet some furry friends while you enjoy your drinks. Craft cocktails are the go here, cocktails like the Elwood Fix with vodka, aperitivo, grapefruit and marmalade; Lemon Slice with limoncello, Licor 43, ginger and cream; or Morning Glory Fizz with Naked Malt whisky, absinthe, lemon, sugar and soda.
Rosie's Bar is located at 157 Ormond Road, Elwood (behind Johnny's Coffee Roasters).
Mirror Mirror
Perched above the Clarendon Hotel, this rooftop bar is a dreamy spot to sip Snow White-inspired cocktails and snack on Asian-fusion bites while looking out across the city skyline. The aforementioned bites include skewers of king oyster mushroom, lemongrass chicken or beef rendang, or simple share plates of thick-cut chips with sesame mayo, Korean veggie pancakes or tofu karage.
The drinks are concise but creative, with signature cocktails like the Poison Apple with apple rum, caramel and ginger; Sweet Dreams with raspberry and thyme vodka, Chambord, cranberry and toasted marshmallow; and The Huntsman with dark rum, passionfruit, lychee and pineapple. There's also some Australian wines available but beer buffs will have to seek their bevs elsewhere.
Mirror Mirror is located at 3/209 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne.
Lady Peacock
You'll feel like you've stepped into Bridgerton at this quaint cocktail salon, which is decorated with glittering chandeliers, plush velvet lounges and gold-framed paintings.
While you might not run into a dreamy Lord or Viscount here, there are plenty of charming cocktails and champagne on offer, like the peach martini or Lady Ambrosia, alongside nibbles and cheese. Visit during happy hour (5pm to 7pm on Fridays and 3pm to 7pm on weekends), and you'll be able to grab $10 house wines and bubbles or select cocktails for $18 with a personal charcuterie board on the side.
Lady Peacock is located at 19 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.
Discover more to do at the What's On St Kilda and Southside website.
Images: Alex Squadrito, Alex Drewnik, What's on St Kilda and Southside.