The Best Bars in Melbourne for After-Work Drinks
Sip speciality wine, drink local craft beer or enjoy a Negroni (or two) at these post-work haunts.
WFH life might have shaken up our schedules and limited our office time, but we'll always have a soft spot for the humble after-work drink. No matter how (or where) your working hours are spent, there's something to be said for a few relaxed knock-offs with mates, unwinding after a big day on the job. You've worked hard and you deserve a good ol' tipple.
Luckily, there are plenty of great bars for after-work drinks in Melbourne, boasting fun crowds, top-notch sips and maybe even a few cheeky drink specials. While you still have some energy left, venture to one of these bars for a couple of bevs and send out your working day in style.
Recommended reads:
The Best Bars in Melbourne
The Best Underground Bars in Melbourne
The Best Pubs and Bars with Fireplaces
The Best Melbourne Restaurants and Bars with Private Dining Rooms
Image: Yarra Botanica
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RestaurantNeptune
212 High Street, Windsor
The Windsor restaurant has gone back to its roots, serving up stacks of seafood and Mediterranean eats.
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RestaurantSociety
80 Collins Street, Melbourne
This dramatic venue from Chris Lucas features two restaurants and a glam cocktail lounge.
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BarThe Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street, Richmond
A Richmond live music institution with a banging rooftop.
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BarMilton Wine Shop
1427 Malvern Road, Malvern
The best spot in Malvern to buy a bottle to take away or enjoy a glass with a plate of cheese.
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BarBaby Snakes Bar
30 Chambers Street, Footscray
A colourful, no-fuss wine bar that also slings frozen cocktails and seriously good sangas.
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BarBuilders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Andrew McConnell's refined pub offers British-inflected fare, a strong wine selection and a lovely little courtyard.
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BarThe Local Taphouse St Kilda
184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East
This Carlisle Street institution boasts 19 taps, two fireplaces and a sun-soaked rooftop.
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BarHope St Radio
35 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Roll into this lofty bar for natural wines, top-notch drinking snacks and live radio broadcasts.
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BarBrewDog Pentridge
1 Champ Street, Coburg
This global brewery's first Melbourne home is a sprawling bluestone beer haven, complete with two bars and a supersized beer garden.
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BarFull Moon Fever
225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Lulie's all-weather rooftop bar is an escape to the Cali desert, complete with burgers, brews and an agave-heavy cocktail list.
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BarPilgrim Bar
15-19 Federation Wharf, Melbourne
Sip gin tea cocktails at a waterfront venue in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.
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BarYarra Botanica
Southbank Promenade, Southbank
The Yarra River's permanent two-storey pontoon bar and eatery is celebrating local produce, native ingredients and an all-Victorian drinks offering.
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BarHER Rooftop
270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Venture up to HER's garden party-inspired rooftop for punchy Thai snacks and summery cocktails, paired with sweeping city views.
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BarCarwyn Cellars
877 High Street, Thornbury
This Thornbury stalwart has been sating northside thirsts for over a decade.
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BarHolmes Hall
15 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
The plant-filled and neon-lit venue has 20 beer taps, a vegan-friendly gastropub menu and even pinball machines and a shuffleboard table.
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BarPonyfish 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.
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BarPatient Wolf Distilling Co
34-36 Market Street, Southbank
Sip clever gin cocktails just metres from where the gin was made at one of Victoria's largest independent gin distillery.
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BarTetto di Carolina
48 Toorak Road, South Yarra
A South Yarra bar with an outdoor terrace, live jazz and lots crafty cocktails.
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BarHotel Esplanade
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
The revamped Melbourne music institution sports 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages across its six levels.
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BarLulie Tavern
225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Abbotsford's no-frills neighbourhood warehouse bar.
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BarThe Vale Bar & Eatery
169 Union Road, Ascot Vale
A cosy Ascot Vale local with a strong selection of pizzas and 150 wines.
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BarState 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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BarAtticus Finch
129 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
A Lygon Street spot with cosy nooks, DJs on Fridays, a cute courtyard and the best cheese plate in Brunswick.
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BarThe B.East
80 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
A Brunswick East haunt for burgers, drinks and live music.
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BarThe Carlton Club
193 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Party like an animal at this inner-city jungle oasis.
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BarNewmarket Hotel
34 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
Great pub fare, exciting architecture and a dedicated gig space — the Newmarket is a triple threat.
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BarSwan Hotel
425 Church Street, Richmond
Glide in and grab a pint or dance away the night in this classic Richmond bar.
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BarThe Tipsy Cow Malt & Vine Co.
359 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
A neighbourhood bar that loves whisky and dogs.
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BarJoanie's Baretto
832A High Street, Thornbury
Thornbury's cute neighbourhood Italian bar serving spritzes, cicchetti and gluten-free pasta.
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BarMr West Bar & Bottleshop
106 Nicholson Street, Footscray
A two-storey bar and bottleshop in the heart of Footscray.
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BarParadise Alley
25 Easey Street, Collingwood
A casual Collingwood warehouse bar connected to Backwoods Gallery.
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BarGood Heavens
Level 2, 79 Bourke Street, Melbourne
A CBD Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar above Fancy Hank's.
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BarStomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall
100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Collingwood's expansive brewpub.
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BarRooftop at QT
Level 11, QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne
The CBD slick rooftop bar on top of the QT.
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BarHeartattack and Vine
329 Lygon Street, Carlton
The new Italian kid on the Carlton block is cool, comfy and serves chicchetti all night.
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BarArbory Bar & Eatery
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on.
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BarCity Wine Shop
159 Spring Street, Melbourne
The best people watching, wine sipping spot on Spring Street.
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BarThe Great Northern Hotel
644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
A pub for pub-lovers in Carlton North.
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