Melbourne Bars and Restaurants That Are Perfect Date Material

Sydney Film Festival

From Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Kinds of Kindness' to Indigenous Aussie horror, Sydney Film Festival's 197-title 2024 lineup is filled with highlights.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Nearly 300 speakers are on the 2024 program, which features 223 free and ticketed events — and is streaming some sessions nationwide.

Gerald's Bar

386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

North Carlton's unchallenged eternal gem.

Melbourne Fringe Festival

This year's Melbourne Fringe Festival sees food and art combine in hundreds of boundary-pushing performances.

Madame Brussels - CLOSED

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne

With AstroTurf, tennis whites and jugs of Pimms, Madame B has classic summer style.

Hell of the North - CLOSED

135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

You could easily pass by the bluestone home on Greeve's Street, off uber-chic Smith, were it not for the canary yellow door.

1806

169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

1806 is Melbourne's old world gem where cocktail is king.

Ponyfish Island

Southgate Pedestrian Bridge, Melbourne

The long-standing bar now has a Miami-inspired fit-out, summery cocktails and, for the first time ever, tap beers.

Bar Lourinha

37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Packed to the brim, this little gem offers a trip to Spain sans the passport.

Los Hermanos

339 Victoria Street, Brunswick

Los Hermanos has found a niche somewhere between the taco trucks of the north and the classier acts of the inner city and south-side.

St Kilda Festival

The annual bayside festival is celebrating its 43rd year with help from Mallrat, Mo'Ju, Bag Raiders and Budjerah.

Cumulus Up

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Andrew McConnell's Flinders Lane upstairs bar.

Melbourne Queer Film Festival

This year's MQFF boasts a 42-feature lineup stacked with LGBTQIA+ must-sees — and a celebration of music videos.

Hihou - CLOSED

First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

A Japanese-inspired bar behind a secret doorway.

The Understudy

169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Cocktails the way Alice in Wonderland intended.

St Kilda Film Festival

This standout short film festival is back for another year, bringing 11 days of top-notch cinema to its oceanside locale.

Chin Chin

125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

'The Chris Lucas effect' has people lining up out the doors almost every day.

The Everleigh

Upstairs, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Experience the hedonistic pleasures of the 1920s in Fitzroy's hidden cocktail den.

Neighbourhood Wine

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

With a history steeped in Melbourne Mafia, this wine bar brings a cosy, speakeasy-style space to Fitzroy North.

Ora

156 Pakington Street, Kew

You can now stop by Ora for a late-night wine and snacking sesh without having to fight over a table.

Vegie Bar

380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

This Brunswick Street institution shows no sign of slowing down.

Naked in the Sky

285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

The best position on Brunswick Street is in the sky.

Loop Roof

Level 3, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne

A gem in Melbourne's rooftop crown.

Siglo

161 Spring St, Melbourne

A glorious rooftop setting for some discerning bottles of wine.

The Tippler & Co.

58 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne

Good for more than just an afternoon tipple.

Romeo Lane - CLOSED

1a Crossley Street, Melbourne

It's cocktails all round at newly-spawn Romeo Lane.

The Hall at Welcome to Brunswick

400 Sydney Road, Brunswick

A Brunswick beer bar with pan-Asian eats and a historic atmosphere.

Free Comic Book Day 2015

A day to remember the joy of reading books with pictures.

Good Beer Week 2015

Your opportunity to down a pot of Rocky Road beer, get locked inside an arcade and find beer-loving prison ghosts.

The Alderman

134 Lygon St, East Brunswick

A cosy local favourite in the truest sense.

London Grammar

The British trio make a highly anticipated return after last year's tour cancellation.

The Raccoon Club

145 Plenty Rd, Preston

With a strict 'no dickheads' policy (that they take very seriously), it really is about drinking better, not more.

White Oaks Saloon

115-117 Greville Street, Prahran

A southern-western bar serving up some of the most unique cocktails south of the river.

Whisky and Alement

270 Russell Street, Melbourne

500 types of whisky in one bar? You bet.

Bad Frankie

141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

Australian cocktails, lamington jaffles and some of the best service you'll find off Smith Street.

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.

Lost Paradise

Fisher, Tinashe, Royel Otis and Flight Facilities doing their Decades mix are all on the lineup at this end-of-year festival.

Batman Market

Batman has just solved all your hungover weekend woes.

Trumpy

646 High St, Thornbury

A decidedly sophisticated take on a neighbourhood bar.

Melbourne Zoo Twilights 2015

Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus, and the Village People are frolicking at the zoo this summer.

Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema 2014

Don't settle for that simple choc-top at your usual movie theatre; step your summer game up a notch by heading to St Kilda Beach for a proper 'Sundae Session'. With great bands, new movies, and free ice cream, what's not to like?

Coburg Night Market 2014

Not sure what to do with your Friday nights before Christmas? Relax. Coburg's got this.

Black Pearl

304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

A Fitzroy cocktail bar with attitude and atmosphere.

The Catfish

30-32 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

A Gertrude Street dive with a point of difference: their Bloody Marys.

Borsch, Vodka and Tears

73 Chapel Street, Windsor

There's no doubt that Borsch is a stalwart, and a damn fine one at that.

LongPlay

318 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Eclectic, laid back and charming, this Fitzroy North bar was made for dates.

Neapoli Wine Bar - CLOSED

30 Russell Place, Melbourne

A little-known wine bar with a lot of potential.

Gin Palace

10 Russell Place, Melbourne

Luxe, dim and full of your favourite spirit: gin.

Southgate Cinema 2014

The only place you can watch free movies under the stars without the fear of getting rained out.

Moonlight Cinema 2014-15

Get your picnic at the ready; the Botanic Gardens are coming to life again.

Open House Melbourne Weekend

For two days this July, you can explore private homes and heritage buildings, as well as sports stadiums, places of worship, art gallery archives and more.

Rooftop Cinema 2014-15

Curtin House is lighting up once more with big releases, cult flicks and childhood nostalgia atop the city's skyline.

Shadow Electric Cinema 2015

The convent's cinema is open for another year. Share a bevvy with Talking Heads, Christopher Nolan and Wes Craven under the stars.

Summersalt

Come for the giant inflatable whale, stay for the art.

Milk the Cow Carlton

232 Lygon Street, Carlton

Carlton cheese dreams at the Cow.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2015

Celebrating ten years of Laneway shenanigans, it's only fitting to invite Mac DeMarco's mum to the party.

Soul A-Go-Go New Year's Eve

Get up, get down to a NYE party with soul.

Elevation at Eureka Tower

As high as you can get on New Year's Eve.

Turkish Film Festival 2014

It's been a banner year for Turkish cinema, including wins at Cannes, Venice and even Sydney.

New Year's Eve at The Everleigh

Time to take things up a fancy, fancy notch this NYE.

New Year's Eve at Eau de Vie

If you're a bit of a cocktail connoisseur, there's no better NYE party for you.

New Year's Eve Dinner at Pope Joan

Make the last meal of 2014 an epic one.

The Basics

After forming their own political party this year, The Basics are back together — with brand new material.

Big Hero 6

Introducing Baymax: the most loveable, huggable character in film history.

St Vincent

With Bill Murray in the role of your familiar neighbourhood curmudgeon, you love this movie in spite of its obvious flaws.

I, Malvolio

The excellent Tim Crouch gives a Shakespearean underdog a second chance.

Queen Victoria Night Market 2014-15

We can taste the sangria already.

Black Lips

Come with covered shoes and loose morals; the bad kids are back.

The Imitation Game

Alan Turing helped end WWII, conceived the digital computer and pioneered artificial intelligence, yet few even know his name.

SBTRKT

Wye Oak

Soaring, unmissable folk direct from Baltimore to you.

Royal Croquet Club

It's time to break out the Pimms.

Birdman

Birdman is cinematic ballet and the first must-see film of 2015.

Odesza

Seattle's cranking out some crisp, unique beats of late, led by this dynamic duo.

As You Like It - Australian Shakespeare Company

The Bard is in the Botanic Gardens, but does he live up to the hype?

Camille O'Sullivan - Changeling

The songs of Radiohead, David Bowie and Nick Cave unite to create one hell of a story.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival Summer Sessions

Summertime and the living is easy.

Chet Faker

After casually dominating triple j's Hottest 100, Chet's back for some hometown lovin'.

Ali Barter

This local girl is out on her own with her second EP and tickets are a steal.

Art Of Sleeping

Get a sneak peek at the latest LP from these Brisbane boys.

Nas

Be a part of hip hop history as this legend plays Illmatic in full.

Piknic Electronik Festival

You can now rock a summer sesh in Old Melbourne Gaol.

Collingwood Open

Hang out with Gareth Liddiard under the stars at the Gaso.

Doc Martin's - CLOSED

86 Collins Street, Melbourne

Swill spirits on the sidewalk with the Doctor.

Heartattack and Vine

329 Lygon Street, Carlton

The new Italian kid on the Carlton block is cool, comfy and serves chicchetti all night.

Belle and Sebastian

Indie-pop royalty blown in on a breeze of Glaswegian whimsy.

Fat Freddy's Drop

After 15 years of touring, FFD can boast one of the most energetic live shows around.

The Val Cinema

The Val is back in action for a summer pop-up on Swan Street.

Little Bird - State Theatre Company of South Australia

Paul Capsis takes to the stage on his own for the year's first must-see.

Exxopolis - Architects Of Air

Your favourite wonderland of light and colour is back in Melbourne.

SOHN

The European wonder producer comes back for more.

Flying Lotus

FlyLo's Laneway sideshow is worth shelling out for.

FKA twigs

If you see one Laneway sideshow, make it this.

Summer Sundays

The NGV are crashing festival season with a series of weekly free garden parties.

Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas - Hoy Polloy & Terra Incognita

Watch one man tackle the manic and irreverent work of a renowned Nobel Prize winner.

gentle is the power - Chunky Move

Get a free glimpse at the work of Melbourne's most talented dancers.

Caribou

You can't do without this Laneway sideshow.

Jungle

This UK outfit has been Busy Earnin' high praise worldwide. Now they're here for Laneway.

St Kilda Festival 2015

Get amongst Melbourne's biggest (and most wallet-friendly) street festival.

Justene Williams: The Curtain Breathed Deeply

These video installations lay somewhere between The Mighty Boosh and your childhood birthday parties.

Little Dragon

The Swedish foursome bring their genre-bending beats to this Laneway sideshow.

Melbourne Cinematheque 2015

It's time to join the club of Melbourne's best film buffs.

Transitions Film Festival 2015

The perfect festival for the socially responsible film-goer.

Yarraville Festival 2015

The best place to spend a lazy Sunday out west.

Megan Washington

Washo's back on the road, bringing her latest bare-all LP with her.

Farnsworth Republic For Dogs

The hottest canine event of the season.

Courtney Barnett

The shredding Melburnian is hitting the road to celebrate her very first album.

Angus and Julia Stone

Album number three and these Sydneysiders are still going strong.

Akira Kurosawa Retrospective

Before The Magnificent Seven, there was Seven Samurai.

Rosemary Laing: Weathering

If you've ever felt swept up in the climate change debate, you're not alone.

What Rhymes with Cars and Girls - MTC

Tim Rogers' beloved solo record is the inspiration for a new stage play sure to make you feel all the feels.

Noisy Ritual Winery Pop-Up Bar

Get stomping, pressing and sampling at Melbourne's first-ever urban people-powered winery.

Wine and Cheese Crawl 'n' Bite

Because the best type of crawl is a wine and cheese crawl.

Nordic Cool: Modernist Design from the NGV Collection

The Scandinavian design exhibition that will leave you with an irresistible urge to go minimal.

Flavours of Asia Market Festival

Load up on xiao long bao at this Melbourne Food and Wine Festival offshoot.

Movies Under the Stars

Lap up the last of the openair cinema season with Docklands' free version.

Vodka Pop-Up Bar at Old Melbourne Gaol

Who would've thought we'd like spending so much of summer in a prison?

Sydney Road Street Party 2015

The unmissable street party celebrating Moreland’s strong migrant history.

Sharon Van Etten

If you think you're heading along to this gig without feeling all the feels, you're wildly mistaken.

Conor Oberst

Swoon.

Underground Cinema: Patriot

The cult immersive cinema event is taking us back to the 1950s.

Restaurant Express: MFWF

Long lunches are happening.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

Just when you thought they were done Wigging Out.

Vinteloper Urban Wine Project

Stomp, ferment and drink your own wine, no road trip necessary.

Mia Salsjo: New Age is a Cult

A bold attempt to shine light on some sticky spiritual situations.

Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival 2015

Learn the art of origami, watch live Japanese music and eat as much soft shell crab salad as you can.

Port Phillip Mussel Festival

Five tonnes of local mussels, sangria, craft beer and New Orleans-style jazz — now that's a street party.

Rupert

73 Rupert Street, Collingwood

This is one foxy dwelling to get trapped in.

Dance Massive 2015

Clear your calendar and get ready to be made aware of just how uncoordinated you are.

Back to the Future Marathon

We were supposed to be cruising around on hoverboards by 2015, according to this legendary trilogy.

Thai Culture and Food Festival 2015

Traditional Thai massages, exhibition kickboxing matches and plenty of Singha in the beer garden.

Nothing to Lose - Force Majeure

What might be the most important, topical and celebratory stage work of 2015.

In Dreams: David Lynch Revisited

Mick Harvey, Owen Pallett, Sarah Blasko and more delve into the music of the 'Twin Peaks' mastermind.

Client Liaison

Feed the rhythm inside 170 Russell with Sydney's must-see duo.

Peel Street Block Party - The Social Studio

This weekend, the party's in Collingwood.

Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2015

Confessed coffee fiends, it's time to nerd out.

Fromage a Trois: Cheese and Cider Festival

Cheeselovers, this is your Woodstock. Eat something delicious, rare and stinky, washed down with a crisp cider.

NEW15 at ACCA

Yearning for some brand new installation work? Keen for new sculpture? This one's for you.

Arbory Bar & Eatery

Flinders Walk, Melbourne

With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on. 

Free Coffee at KereKere

Free coffee. ALL DAY.

Top Five

A hilarious reminder of just how good Chris Rock can be.

StArt Up: Top Arts 2015

Looking for the next big thing in Australian art? Could be one of these young whippersnappers.

Vinyl. Records Pop-Up Store

Up for a spot of crate digging?

The Annual Third Drawer Down Garage Sale Gala Day

Freshly fried spring rolls, puppy portraits and all the Saturday bargains.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Get the whole picture by watching 'Them' at the cinema and 'Him' and 'Her' at home.

Bonobo

The British minimalist electronica king has a couple of crisp DJ sets for you.

Alex Edelman: Millennial

See the winner of the Best Newcomer Award at last year's Edinburgh Fringe.

Hannah Gadsby: Donkey

Never not funny.

Michael Workman: We Have Fun Don't We

Heartbreak meets hilariousness.

Clem Bastow: Escape From LA

Clem Bastow went to LA and all she got was this surely excellent hour of storytelling.

Daniel Kitson: Polyphony

The whimsically morose storyteller-comic returns with what might be his magnum opus.

Insurgent

The Divergent sequel feels like the umpteenth instalment in a YA future dystopia onslaught.

DeAnne Smith: Get Into It

Thanks Canada.

Jamie North - Rock Melt

Watch nature slowly take over five metre high columns outside the NGV.

Old Melbourne Gaol Pop-Up Gin Bar

Enjoy a G&T with Ned Kelly's ghost.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2015

It's lol time with our top 12 picks of the festival.

All Our Exes Live in Texas

Four of Sydney's foremost singer-songwriters hit the Melbourne Folk Club.

ART-Town 2015

Your wander down Chapel Street just got artier.

Hessian Magazine Issue Two Fundraiser Party

Throw the Hessian team a little cashola and party it up at The Shadow Electric.

Shadow Electric Season Finale

Celebrating a solid summer-long season, Shadow Electric are handing the big screen over to Rat & Co and Sleep D.

Peninsula Picnic

Sprawl in the sunshine with tasting plates, live music and seriously good wine.

Giorgio Moroder

The godfather of disco takes a break from Kylie for three headline shows.

Cinderella

See Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter play wildly against type in an otherwise traditional fairy tale.

Endgame - Melbourne Theatre Company

It's been 15 years since MTC's taken on Samuel Beckett's idiosyncratic language.

Alex Ross Perry Retrospective

Learn up on the indie director behind Listen Up Philip.

Doughboys Doughnuts Pop-Up

Glazing and filling their way into the hearts of hungry Melburnians.

QVM Brocante Marche Vintage Market

Pick up a pot of Nutella fondue this Easter.

Milonga - Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Age-old Argentinean tango slinks into the modern age.

Elizabeth Rose's Discotheque

Elizabeth Rose curates your dream late-night discotheque.

The Astor Theatre's Last Weekend

Closing its doors after 75 years, the iconic Astor Theatre has two last tricks up its sleeve.

Two Bright Lakes Go Bang!

Raise a plastic cup and farewell one of Melbourne's best independent record labels.

Etsy at The Cullen Open Day

Probably one of the most Instagrammable hotel rooms around.

Society of Tastemakers & Elegant People - 'Melbourne: The Music Capital' Panel

Is Melbourne really the centre of the Australian music scene? This biz-studded panel intends to find out.

The Philosophy of Disco - The School of Life

Dig under the d-floor.

Crap Music Rave Party

The live equivalent of the world’s worst jukebox.

Listen Up Philip

Jason Schwartzman and Elisabeth Moss portray the trials of a self-absorbed writer with humour, empathy and balance.

A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman directs a surprising period romance about gardening and gender inequality.

Samba

A preposterous yet enjoyable French romance from the makers of The Intouchables.

Le Noir - The Dark Side of Cirque

Roll up, roll up. The circus is in town and it's bringing with it something called the Colombian Death Wheel.

Gauchito Gil's Malbec World Day

Seven hours of Argentine wine and empanadas.

Chilli Fest

Serious about your hot sauce? This is the mini-festival for you.

Record Store Day 2015

Celebrate and support your local store. There's live instore sets and special edition vinyl in it for you.

Poles Apart

Cool off with this season of docos at ACMI.

La Dolce Italia Festival

The legendary Sophia Loren heads Melbourne's new Italian arts festival.

Meme Girls - Malthouse Theatre

Turning YouTube trash into theatrical gold.

Turkish Film Festival 2015

Four days of Turkey's cinematic delights, brought forward to coincide with Anzac Day.

Mommy

The 26-year-old Quebecois wunderkind is back with his fifth, Cannes Jury Prize-winning feature film.

As You Like It - Bell Shakespeare

A bonkers take on Shakespeare's cross-dressing rom-com that just somehow works.

alt-J

Gear up for your stomping, pounding 'Breezeblocks' singalong.

Purple Rain - ACMI

The cult rock musical you need to see — and more importantly hear — in a cinema.

Old Melbourne Gaol Pop-Up Whisky Bar

Have a dram with Ned Kelly's ghost.

While We're Young

The writer-director of Frances Ha is back with another lesson about growing up in your 20s, 30s and 40s.

George Maple

Despite dropping her debut single just six months ago, this Sydneysider's already been to SXSW, BBC Radio 1 and back.

Spanish Film Festival 2015

Smash-hit romantic comedies to Oscar-nominated tales of revenge and everything in between.

Centre for Contemporary Photography April 2015 Exhibitions

Five brand new shows for lovers of photography.

Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival

Ditch the tacky choc tops for some gourmet ice cream sandwiches.

It Follows

This year's super-original, must-see horror movie features a sexually transmitted spectre.

The Age of Adaline

A somewhat timeless love story about a protagonist who never ages.

Luminous Flux – Tasdance

Two very different takes on the concept of light, as interpreted by two of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary choreographers.

Banksy Does New York

It ain't no Exit Through the Gift Shop, but there's still plenty to intrigue in this HBO doco about Banksy's NYC 'residency'.

Where to Eat When You're Saving but Don't Feel Like Another Meal at Home

Places for a weeknight feed that won't blow the budget.

The Ten Best Waterside Bars in Melbourne

Summer calls for spritzes by St Kilda Beach and a few cold ones on the banks of the Yarra.

The Best Toasties in Melbourne

From bacon to lamb, Vegemite to bolognese — all sealed between golden slices of bread.

The Ten Best Beers To Drink This Summer

A beer snob's guide to the top hops for the summer months.

Nine Ice Cream Sandwiches to Try in Melbourne This Summer

The best ice cream sangas Melbourne has to offer.

Nine Wines Perfect for Summertime Drinking

Swap the rosé for something orange this summer.

Daily Detours to Help Expand Your Palate

Featuring a heaping serve of gooey raclette cheese.

Melbourne's Least Awkward Spots for a First Date

Because first dates are nail-biting enough without the added challenge of picking a good place.

Where to Become Human Again in Melbourne After a Big Night Out

Some of Melbourne's best places to turn your hangover around.

Where to Eat Burgers in Melbourne when Mondayitis Hits Hard

Melbourne’s best and most cheerful restaurants for a burg and a brew when you need it most.

Where to Drink Good Wine in Melbourne After a Tough Day at Work

Establishments to cater to any post-work need (or crisis).

Where to Eat in the City When You Want to Feel Like the Boss

Places that are ideal for smart lunches with big groups of friends or colleagues.

Melbourne's Best Retro Spots for When You're Feeling Nostalgic

The question isn't just where to go, it's which era to spend time in.

Where to Make It Rain (Within Reason) on Payday

For when you get that urge to splurge.

Where to Go When a Big Bowl of Pasta Is the Only Thing That Will Make You Feel Better

For when only carbs can make things right.

Where to Eat American Barbecue in Melbourne

Where to get your fix of some down-home USA cookin'.

Melbourne's Ten Most Luxurious Foodie Experiences

Not just for special occasions — book a table now.

Melbourne's Best Outdoor Bars, Restaurants and Cafes

Enjoy that spring sun.