Melbourne Bars and Restaurants That Are Undeniably, Unabashedly Romantic

Low lighting, jazz playlists, opulent cocktails — these Melbourne date spots will help you to start planning the perfect Valentine's Day.
Concrete Playground
Published on January 29, 2024
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  • Bar

    Beneath Driver Lane

    Shop 3, Driver Lane, Melbourne

    Blues and bourbon in a moody underground space.

  • Bar

    Stokehouse

    30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

    After a devastating fire, St Kilda's Stokehouse has made its comeback — and it's here to stay.

  • Bar

    Dessous

    164 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    An underground bar in a heritage-listed CBD building with 'unicorn' doughnuts and strawberry and cream cocktails.

  • Restaurant

    Freyja

    477 Collins Street, Melbourne

    A sophisticated exploration of 'new Nordic' cuisine boasting Michelin cred, where traditional techniques are cleverly fused with modern Scandi flair.

  • Bar

    Poodle Bar & Bistro

    81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    A two-storey bar and bistro in Fitzroy with a sunny courtyard and crafty, Euro-accented menu.

  • Restaurant

    Vue de Monde

    525 Collins Street, Melbourne

    One of the most celebrated fine diners in Australia — with world-class views, too.

  • Bar

    Naught Cocktail Bar

    32 Peel Street, Eltham

    This cocktail den by award-winning distillery Naught will entice you out of the city with its elegant sense of drama and menu of crafty gin sips.

  • Bar

    Music Room

    270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    Melbourne's first dedicated 'listening bar' boasts a 3000-strong vinyl collection and DJ Jnett in the role of Music Director.

  • Restaurant

    Yugen Dining

    605 Chapel Street, South Yarra

    Chapel Street's sumptuous subterranean Japanese diner and bar has a flair for the dramatic.

  • Bar

    Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar

    200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    This sophisticated speakeasy has two great loves, pairing primo Aussie oysters with a dizzying collection of chablis.

  • Bar

    March

    90 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Sibling and neighbour to the acclaimed IDES, this intimate eating and drinking den pairs contemporary Japanese-inspired bites with an expert range of tipples.

  • Bar

    The Everleigh

    Upstairs, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

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

  • Bar

    Above Board

    306 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Nab one of just 12 seats at this hidden, minimalist cocktail haunt — and prepare for some world-class drinking.

  • Bar

    Bodega Underground

    55 Lt Bourke Street, Melbourne

    This CBD taqueria is completely gluten-free, very vegan and open till 3am every night.

  • Restaurant

    France-Soir

    11 Toorak Road, South Yarra

    Melbourne's quintessential French bistro with over three decades under its belt.

  • Bar

    Kirk's Wine Bar

    50 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

    A quaint city wine bar sans pretension.

  • Bar

    Nick & Nora's

    80 Collins Street, Melbourne

    This opulent CBD bar boasts over 400 bottles of champagne, three balconies and a roaring 30s vibe.

  • Bar

    Maha North

    86 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Head to Smith Street for Shane Delia's elegant meze and cocktail bar.

  • Bar

    Pepe's Italian & Liquor

    275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

    You'll find cheesy bowls of gnocchi, meatball pizza and giant sundaes at this 1930s New York-Inspired Italo-American joint on Exhibition Street.

  • Bar

    Bar Margaux

    111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    A CBD basement bar serving up French bistro food and cocktails until 5am.

  • Restaurant

    Marquis of Lorne

    411 George Street, Fitzroy

    Drink down on the street, dine at the second floor restaurant or soak up some rays on the rooftop.

  • Bar

    Lover

    60 Chapel Street, Windsor

    A moody restaurant and cocktail bar on Chapel Street.

  • Bar

    Embla

    122 Russell Street, Melbourne

    Raise a glass to Melbourne’s wine bar renaissance.

  • Restaurant

    1800 Lasagne

    653 High Street, Thornbury

    A bricks-and-mortar bar and eatery from an inner north lasagne delivery service.

  • Bar

    Gerald's Bar

    386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

    North Carlton's unchallenged eternal gem.

  • Bar

    The Alps

    64 Commercial Road, Prahran

    A part bottle shop, part wine bar in Prahran.

  • Bar

    Bar Romantica

    54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    A Lygon Street institution has been transformed into a sleek late-night Italian bar and eatery.

  • Bar

    Juliet

    37–41 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Punch Lane's basement raclette, jazz and wine bar.

  • Bar

    Marion

    51-53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    True to form, Andrew McConnell serves up another Gertrude Street gem.

  • Bar

    Bar Josephine

    295 Barkly Street, Footscray

    A Footscray dive bar for any night of the week.

  • Bar

    Grossi Florentino

    80 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Littered with Italian murals and quintessentially traditional food, this Italian institution has been pumping since '28.

  • Bar

    Heartattack and Vine

    329 Lygon Street, Carlton

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

  • Bar

    The Moon

    28A Stanley Street, Collingwood

    A moody and atmospheric spot for sipping from an extensive selection of interesting wines.

  • Restaurant

    Lagoon Dining

    263 Lygon Street, Carlton

    You'll find popcorn chicken and umeshu spritzes at this sleek Lygon Street spot.

  • Bar

    Bad Frankie

    141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

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

  • Bar

    State of Grace

    27 King Street, Melbourne

    The CBD venue has reopened in a new and improved location complete with a hidden drinking den.

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