The Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne

Whether you want to drink a martini with spaghetti at 2am or pair a whisky concoction with a piece of peach pie, you can have your cocktail any which way in this city.
Concrete Playground
July 11, 2018
List
Map
  • Bar

    Goodwater

    300 High Street, Northcote

    Drinks, eats and American whiskey until late.

  • Bar

    Castlerose

    67 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne

    Treat yourself to some old-world luxury — sipping on fine champagne and biting into confit duck cigars at the bar.

  • Bar

    Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge

    209 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

    Is Mirror Mirror rooftop bar the fairest of them all? Only time will tell.

  • Bar

    Maggie's Snacks and Liquor

    100 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    This isn't your average drinking den, with the crew pumping out some wildly creative eats and drinks for locals.

  • Restaurant

    La Madonna

    103 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

    It's a proper hidden gem in the city, rising well above most hotel restaurants and bars you tend to find in Melbourne.

  • Bar

    The Osborne Rooftop & Bar

    119 Commercial Road, South Yarra

    Choose between its intimate cocktail lounge, on-site restaurant, classic pub or rooftop with views of the South Yarra skyline.

  • Restaurant

    MING Dining

    299 Queen Street, Melbourne

    Head to the Melbourne fine-diner to feast your way through refined dishes that marry contemporary Australian cuisine with Chinese-Canto influences.

  • Bar

    Tippy-Tay

    101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    When the world seems to shine like you'd had too much wine...there are cocktails to enjoy as well.

  • Bar

    Evies Disco Diner

    232 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    Karaoke, bingo, bottomless brunch- that's just the beginning.

  • Bar

    Bossley Bar & Restaurant

    186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

    Head to this CBD spot for pre-theatre dining or after-work drinks with the office crew.

  • Restaurant

    Central Club Hotel

    240 - 248 Victoria Street, North Melbourne

    Find the recently renovated pub right across the road from the Queen Vic Market.

  • Restaurant

    Longrain Melbourne

    44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Dine on modern Thai dishes within an impeccably restored horse stable.

  • Restaurant

    Captain Baxter

    10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

    Drink cocktails while taking in the sweeping beachfront views.

  • Bar

    Richmond Club Hotel

    100 Swan Street, Richmond

    Classic pub fare meets contemporary cuisine in the heart of Richmond.

  • 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

    Strato Melbourne

    202 Normanby Road, Southbank

    Hit this 40th-floor beauty to sip crafty cocktails and snack on foie gras macarons among the clouds.

  • Bar

    Arbory Afloat 2022 - CLOSED

    Flinders Walk, Melbourne

    Melbourne's seasonal floating bar is back with a new holiday-worthy look and an offering inspired by the Balearic Islands.

  • 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

    Barlow at The Continental Sorrento

    1 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

    This luxe speakeasy pairs a sumptuous live entertainment program with clever cocktails and late-night snacks by Scott Pickett.

  • Bar

    Yarra Falls

    381 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    A 25-seat boozer guided by locality, steered by the seasons and named after the Yarra River's one-time waterfall.

  • Bar

    Yarra 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.

  • Bar

    HER 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.

  • 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.

  • Bar

    HER Bar

    270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    HER's ground-floor residence is a Euro-inspired restaurant and bar serving up lunch, late-night eats and cocktails aplenty.

  • Bar

    Bar Bambi

    AC/DC Lane, Melbourne

    AC/DC Lane's new late-night lounge bar serves carbonara toasties, live entertainment and a cheeky after-dinner bottle service.

  • Bar

    The Distiller Melbourne - CLOSED

    530 High Street, Northcote

    This cocktail bar and distillery is the new home of booze brands Grainshaker and Ned, pouring classic sips with a twist.

  • Bar

    Brunswick Aces

    124 Weston Street, Brunswick East

    Australia's first booze-free bar and bottle shop boasts a moody, industrial-meets-baroque space in Brunswick East.

  • Bar

    Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters

    56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Creatively-charged cocktails and primo Aussie oysters headline the offering at this glam CBD watering hole.

  • Bar

    Fable Melbourne

    168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    Melbourne's highest rooftop bar is slinging clever cocktails and Mediterranean bites 14 storeys above Lonsdale Street.

  • Bar

    Lui Bar

    525 Collins Street, Melbourne

    Vue de Monde's sister venue is a destination in its own right.

  • Bar

    Arbory Afloat 2021 - CLOSED

    Flinders Walk, Melbourne

    The floating bar's latest incarnation is inspired by Turkey's Turquoise Coast, serving up Mediterranean bites and a hefty lineup of cocktails.

  • Restaurant

    Society

    80 Collins Street, Melbourne

    This dramatic venue from Chris Lucas features two restaurants and a glam cocktail lounge.

  • Bar

    Om Nom Kitchen

    187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    The old dessert destination is now a luxe wine and cocktail bar with top-notch drinking snacks to match.

  • Bar

    Four Pillars Gin Distillery

    2A Lilydale Road, Healesville

    An experimental distillery, a gin shop and stunning bar by the Four Pillars crew.

  • Bar

    Kepler's Yard - CLOSED

    2 Arthurton Road, Northcote

    DJ nights, mismatched furniture and planet-themed cocktails, in a space that's named after a famous astronomer.

  • Bar

    Poodle Upstairs

    81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    Poodle Bar & Bistro has scored a new upstairs sibling, serving signature sips, gourmet charcuterie and caviar two nights a week.

  • Bar

    Dom's Social Club

    301 Swanston Street, Melbourne

    The former home of Peaches and Cheek has been transformed into a laidback spot that feels distinctly like an Italian social club.

  • Bar

    Johnny's Green Room

    293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton

    Dose up on sophisticated Euro vibes and Italian cocktails at this chic, sunny rooftop bar in Carlton.

  • Bar

    Ms Bartronica - CLOSED

    159 Ryrie Street, Geelong

    Fancy a game or two of Street Fighter, Mario Kart or even Time Crisis with your cocktails?

  • Bar

    There There

    8 Malop Street, Geelong

    Set inside a grand old bank building, but feels like a 70s house party.

  • Bar

    The 18th Amendment Bar

    82A Little Malop Street, Geelong

    A sophisticated cocktail bar that recalls Prohibition-era Chicago and New York speakeasies.

  • Bar

    Lay Low

    93 Buckley Street, Seddon

    Finding this hidden neighbourhood cocktail bar — which also serves delicious Greek snacks — is half the fun.

  • Bar

    Trouble in Dreams - CLOSED

    297 Barkly Street, Footscray

    This 25-seat bar is an ode to the world's greatest speakeasies.

  • Restaurant

    Gimlet at Cavendish House

    33 Russell Street, Melbourne

    Andrew McConnell's elegant cocktail bar and European bistro serves up caviar, champagne and truffles aplenty.

  • Restaurant

    Mr Brownie

    343 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

    A multi-level pub, Punjabi-style deli and rooftop bar run by chef-restaurateur Jessi Singh.

  • Bar

    Gum

    173 Johnston Street, Collingwood

    Collingwood's new 70s-themed tiny pub offers retro cocktails and Big Mac pies.

  • 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

    Mrs Singh

    88 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    This new Flinders Lane wine bar from Jessi Singh specialises in Indian snacks, juicy cocktails and cheap lunchtime thalis.

  • Bar

    Left Bank Melbourne

    1 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank

    Book a boozy lunch with riverside views.

  • 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

    Byrdi

    Ella, Melbourne Central, Corner Swanston And La Trobe Streets, Melbourne

    This new CBD cocktail haven comes from minds behind one of the world's best bars.

  • Bar

    Imperial South Yarra

    522 Chapel Street, South Yarra

    A southside spot to unwind with a fishbowl cocktail and a little bit of a boogie.

  • Bar

    Fargo and Co

    216 Swan Street, Richmond

    This old Richmond bank is the home of bottomless brunch and fried chicken.

  • Bar

    Rascal - CLOSED

    341 Sydney Road, Brunswick

    Pair one of 120 wines with caviar-topped fried chicken at this Sydney Road wine bar in a 150-year-old building.

  • Bar

    Bar Margaux

    111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Katuk

    517a Chapel Street, South Yarra

    A cocktail bar and function space in the heart of South Yarra, complete with a library and fireplace.

  • Bar

    Kitty Somerset

    565 High Street, Northcote

    This cosy northside cocktail bar is a favourite among locals for its relaxed vibes and top-notch drinks.

  • Bar

    Bouvier Bar

    159 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    A moody bar on Lygon Street serving classic cocktails and tapas-style bites.

  • Bar

    Land of Plenty - CLOSED

    188 Carlisle Street, St Kilda

    A St Kilda rooftop bar and barbecue joint with an all-Aussie drinks list and Milo desserts.

  • Bar

    Radar - CLOSED

    243 Swanston Street, Melbourne

    Melbourne CBD's new late night bar and club is at home in the old Lounge space on Swanston Street.

  • Bar

    R Bar

    8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

    A dapper 1920s-inspired cocktail lounge in Southbank with hot chip butties (and other great sangas).

  • Restaurant

    Mono-XO - CLOSED

    191A Smith Street, Fitzroy

    A 25-seat yakitori and rock 'n' roll bar in Fitzroy.

  • Bar

    Ferdydurke

    31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne

    This hidden small bar offers regular live music and DJ sets, an impressive cocktail list and relaxed party vibes aplenty.

  • Bar

    El Camino Cantina

    222 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    Fitzroy's colourful Tex-Mex joint with giant cocktails from the Rockpool Dining Group.

  • Restaurant

    Mister Munro

    215 Little Collins St, Melbourne

    An all-day dining room and bar in Melbourne's historic old 'dry hotel'.

  • Bar

    La La Land

    Level 1, 125 Hardware Street, Melbourne

    This CBD oasis is just like your living room — but with more cocktails and Chesterfields.

  • Bar

    Jasper's - CLOSED

    14 Goldie Place, Melbourne

    A jazz bar with a cosy courtyard and an extensive gin list.

  • Bar

    Bar Clara

    87 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    This new Little Bourke Street cocktail bar showcases local and seasonal produce.

  • Bar

    Bar Tini - CLOSED

    3-5 Hosier Lane, Melbourne

    A laneway bodega from the Movida crew.

  • Bar

    The Vale Bar & Eatery

    169 Union Road, Ascot Vale

    A cosy Ascot Vale local with a strong selection of pizzas and 150 wines.

  • Bar

    Talk To Me

    153 Commercial Road, South Yarra

    A South Yarra bar by the Peking Duk guys.

  • Bar

    Galah - CLOSED

    216 High Street, Windsor

    An Aussie-themed cocktail bar and bottle shop.

  • Bar

    Bomba Rooftop

    103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    The Spanish restaurant's rooftop serves up Catalan toasties and gin cocktails under the CBD stars.

  • Bar

    Chacho's

    110 Chapel Street, Windsor

    Windsor's fun Mexican-inspired pizzeria and tequila bar.

  • 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.

  • Bar

    Red Piggy - CLOSED

    Level 3, 263 Little Bourke Street , Melbourne

    An affordable Southeast Asian eatery and bar with a covetable CBD rooftop.

  • Bar

    Amelia Shaw

    280 Sydney Road, Brunswick

    A sleek weekend-only cocktail bar above the Retreat Hotel.

  • Bar

    Eydie's

    86 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    A Lygon Street favourite with a late-night happy hour.

  • Bar

    Sig. Enzo Aperitivo Bar

    1D Michael Street, Brunswick

    An aperitivo bar perfect for a spritz, some snacks and some solo time.

  • Bar

    Atticus 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.

  • Bar

    Fossey's Ginporium & Distillery

    110 Eighth Street, Mildura

    An old-timey gin distillery and bar found on the country streets of Mildura.

  • Bar

    Animus Distillery

    89A Piper Street, Kyneton

    Kyneton's own gin distillery and cocktail bar.

  • Bar

    Little Lon Distilling Co.

    17 Casselden Place, Melbourne

    A tiny CBD gin distillery that open its bar three nights a week.

  • Bar

    Golden Monkey

    Basement, 389 Lonsdale Street (enter Via Hardware Lane), Melbourne

    A Shanghai-style basement bar harbouring custard buns and punch bowl cocktails.

  • Bar

    East China Trading Company

    Hardware Lane, Melbourne

    A dumpling, cocktail and 200-strong rum bar tucked down a CBD laneway.

  • Bar

    Trinket

    87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    A plush two-storey cocktail lounge with a secret basement bar, fireplace and boozy brunch sessions.

  • Bar

    Campari House

    25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

    Navigate the four levels of this hospitality extravaganza with a Campari — or two — in hand.

  • Bar

    The Bank on Collins

    394 Collins Street, Melbourne

    Finally a bank you might actually want to visit.

  • Bar

    The Smith

    213-219 High Street, Prahran

    Escape the bustling High Street, and chill out in the courtyard of this sleek gastropub.

  • 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

    Bar Ampere

    16 Russell Place, Melbourne

    End your night with French aperitifs and raclettes at this Parisian-style bar.

  • Bar

    Amarillo

    149 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    Fitzroy's neighbourhood bar with a Mediterranean menu.

  • Bar

    Longsong

    Upstairs, 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Find killer bar food and creative cocktails up at this Thai-inspired Scott Pickett joint.

  • Bar

    Heartbreaker

    234A Russell Street, Melbourne

    This wild-child American-style dive bar is a rock 'n' roll dream.

  • Bar

    Romeo Lane - CLOSED

    1a Crossley Street, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Chin Chin

    125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    New Gold Mountain

    21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne

    If you can find New Gold Mountain it's a reward in itself.

  • Bar

    Madame Brussels - CLOSED

    Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Polly

    401 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    Located right in the heart of Fitzroy, Polly is a drinking hole with air of dark elegance.

  • Bar

    1806

    169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Lily Blacks

    12 Meyers Place, Melbourne

    A glamorous 1920s speakeasy that exudes a little extra cheek.

  • Bar

    Hihou - CLOSED

    First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    A Japanese-inspired bar behind a secret doorway.

  • Bar

    The Understudy

    169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

    Cocktails the way Alice in Wonderland intended.

  • Bar

    Bar Americano - CLOSED

    20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne

    Cocktails and banter at their best.

  • Bar

    The Everleigh

    Upstairs, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

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

  • Bar

    Naked in the Sky

    285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    The best position on Brunswick Street is in the sky.

  • Bar

    Loop Roof

    Level 3, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne

    A gem in Melbourne's rooftop crown.

  • Bar

    Transit Cocktail Lounge

    Level 2, Transport Hotel, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne

    A view best complemented with cocktails.

  • Bar

    The Croft Institute - CLOSED

    21 Croft Alley, Melbourne

    A bar science nerds and spirit lovers alike can get behind.

  • Bar

    Mr Wow's Emporium - CLOSED

    97B Smith Street, Fitzroy

    A purveyor of fine drinks and good times, what Mr Wow is selling, we are happy to be buying.

  • Bar

    The Noble Experiment

    284 Smith Street, Collingwood

    A noble attempt at some pretty incredible barrel-aged cocktails from the Prohibition era.

  • Bar

    White Oaks Saloon

    115-117 Greville Street, Prahran

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

  • Bar

    Whisky and Alement

    270 Russell Street, Melbourne

    500 types of whisky in one bar? You bet.

  • Bar

    Bad Frankie

    141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

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

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    Trumpy

    646 High St, Thornbury

    A decidedly sophisticated take on a neighbourhood bar.

  • Bar

    Black Pearl

    304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    A Fitzroy cocktail bar with attitude and atmosphere.

  • Bar

    Borsch, Vodka and Tears

    73 Chapel Street, Windsor

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

  • Bar

    Gin Palace

    10 Russell Place, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Doc Martin's - CLOSED

    86 Collins Street, Melbourne

    Swill spirits on the sidewalk with the Doctor.

  • Bar

    Botherambo - CLOSED

    65 Swan Street, Richmond

    Richmond's newest Asian joint is a little bit different to its Victoria Street neighbours.

  • Bar

    Glamp Bar

    Level 2, 267 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

    Because sometimes you don’t feel like roughing it. And why should you?

  • Bar

    Caz Reitop's Dirty Secrets

    80 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Late-night cocktails on Collingwood's Smith Street.

  • Bar

    Union Electric

    13 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne

    This Chinatown bar boasts an ever-changing cocktail offering and a rooftop gin garden.

  • Bar

    Harley House

    71 Collins Street, Melbourne

    Picanteria-style Peruvian fare is the new face of this subterranean city space.

  • Bar

    Boilermaker House

    209-211 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    The perfect combo of whisky, beer, cheese and charcuterie.

  • Bar

    Waterslide Bar

    26 Southgate Avenue, Southbank

    A bar standing in the spot of a waterslide has big expectations to fill.

  • Bar

    The Mill House - CLOSED

    277-279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    Channel the Prohibition era and sip moonshine below street level.

  • Bar

    The Ugly Duckling

    238 Swan Street, Richmond

    Don’t let the name fool you – Richmond’s newest wine bar is no ugly duckling.

  • Bar

    Vaporetto Bar & Eatery

    681 Glenferrie Road (enter Via Grace Street), Hawthorn

    An enchanting Venetian bar that nails all the best bits of Venice.

  • Bar

    Rooftop at QT

    Level 11, QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne

    The CBD slick rooftop bar on top of the QT.

  • Bar

    Good Heavens

    Level 2, 79 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    A CBD Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar above Fancy Hank's.

  • Bar

    Pontoon

    Ground Floor, Stokehouse Precinct, 30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

    The Stokehouse Precinct's casual beachside bar.

  • Bar

    Henry Sugar

    296-298 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

    Rathdowne Street's neighbourhood bar doing inventive food and delicate desserts.

  • Bar

    House of Correction

    264 Swanston Street, Melbourne

    An upstairs CBD cocktail bar at the old site of Melbourne's longest-running porn cinema.

  • Restaurant

    Neptune

    212 High Street, Windsor

    The Windsor restaurant has gone back to its roots, serving up stacks of seafood and Mediterranean eats.

  • Restaurant

    Arlechin - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Mornane Place, Melbourne

    Grossi Florentino's basement bar is serving snacks and cocktails until 3am every night.

  • Bar

    Storyville

    185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    Where sipping insect-garnished cocktails from a magical toadstool bar is just a regular night out.

  • Bar

    Juliet

    37–41 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

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

  • Bar

    Bad Love Club - CLOSED

    68-82 Hopkins Street, Footscray

    Cafe by day, bar by night, sugar coma by choice.

  • Bar

    Beneath Driver Lane

    Shop 3, Driver Lane, Melbourne

    Blues and bourbon in a moody underground space.

  • Bar

    Dunning Kruger - CLOSED

    436 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    Pair cocktails and slices of house-made pie at this Brunswick bar.

  • Bar

    Whaler - CLOSED

    71 High Street, Prahran

    This sophisticated Prahran bar offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street.

  • Bar

    Ines Wine Bar

    150 Chapel Street, Windsor

    An old-school wine bar complete with Sinatra tunes, Italian wines and classic Euro drinking fare.

  • Bar

    Promise Bar - CLOSED

    173 High Street, Prahran

    Prahran's hidden speakeasy doesn't have a cocktail menu — or a front door, for that matter.

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