Melbourne's Most Popular Bars of 2018
The rooftop bars, themed hangouts, old-school pubs and cosy courtyards you flocked to this year.
Whether you're craving a decadent cocktail or a well-executed classic, Melbourne has the answer. From old favourites to new hotspots, this fair city of ours knows how to cater to your beverage dreams. And, at some of them, they might just cook you up a feast for the ages while you sip inventive concoctions, local brews or world-class wines.
That's the type of fun you went searching for in 2018, and these are the results. Our most-viewed bars and pubs of the year provides a snapshot of your recent faves and a roadmap of places to visit if you haven't yet. Mosey along to one, head back to your pick of the bunch and say cheers to Melbourne's most popular watering holes as chosen by your busily clicking fingers. Or, even better — use them to plan an epic 2019 pub crawl.
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The Duke Of Wellington
146 Flinders Street, Melbourne
It turns out Melbourne's oldest licensed pub has a few new tricks up its sleeve.
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Bar
Dunning Kruger - CLOSED
436 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Pair cocktails and slices of house-made pie at this Brunswick bar.
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Bar
The Mayfair - CLOSED
45 Collins Street, Melbourne
This French-accented restaurant gives late-night dining a whole new meaning.
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Bar
Red Piggy - CLOSED
Level 3, 263 Little Bourke Street , Melbourne
An affordable Southeast Asian eatery and bar with a covetable CBD rooftop.
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Bar
Golden Monkey
Basement, 389 Lonsdale Street (enter Via Hardware Lane), Melbourne
A Shanghai-style basement bar harbouring custard buns and punch bowl cocktails.
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Bar
The Store Room - CLOSED
2-12 Saint Kilda Road, St Kilda
A modern speakeasy that's tough to locate, but well worth the effort
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Bar
Bosozoku - CLOSED
34A Bray Street, South Yarra
A Japanese biker gang-themed joint with Mario Kart battles, karaoke rooms and a dry ice spa.
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Bar
The Ugly Duckling
238 Swan Street, Richmond
Don’t let the name fool you – Richmond’s newest wine bar is no ugly duckling.
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Bar
Beneath Driver Lane
Shop 3, Driver Lane, Melbourne
Blues and bourbon in a moody underground space.
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Sake Flinders Lane - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Australia’s own masters of contemporary Japanese dining have welcomed a new culinary hotspot to their growing brood.
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Restaurant
The Grain Store
517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A little slice of comfort with damn fine food on Flinders Lane.
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Bar
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
A CBD wine bar and Italian eatery from the pasta kings next door at Tipo 00.
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Bar
Holey Moley Golf Club
590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Melbourne's insane two-storey mini-golf bar.
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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.