Sydney may have a reputation as Australia’s ‘pretty city’ but there’s no denying Melbourne is the nation’s cultural capital. What it lacks in nature Melbourne sure makes up for in things to do, boasting renowned cafes, and art galleries during the day, and restaurants, nightclubs and bars past sundown.
The culture of the latter is particularly celebrated by locals and visitors alike, with many Melbourne bars being among the country’s best. From a built-out 1850s cottage to rooftop hideaways and “secret” hideaways, there’s something to appease all tastes.
Scroll on for the Melbourne bars Cosmopolitan Australia editors love.
best melbourne bars...
01
Caretaker's Cottage
Location: 139-141 Little Lonsdale street, Melbourne
Occupying a cute 1850’s cottage built as residence for the caretaker of the grand Wesley Uniting cathedral on the same plaza in Central Melbourne, the little bar punches well above its weight. Owned and operated by some of Melbourne’s most-experienced bartenders, Caretaker’s is always packed with young professionals sinking pints of Guinness or one of the excellent house cocktails. Here you can expect impeccable, engaging service and banging tunes from their extensive and wide ranging vinyl collection or a visiting DJ.
02
Bar Bellamy
Location: 164 Rathdowne St, Melbourne
This unassuming little shop front in Carlton is run by young hospo power couple Danielle and Oskar Whitehart. Oskar’s cocktails are among the best in the city with an eye to the classics but made with a thoroughly modern approach and the highest-quality ingredients. They also have a great wine list far better than average for a cocktail- focused bar and delicious, creative bar snacks like their chicken liver parfait cannoli.
03
Union Electric
Location: 13 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne
Fun, fresh and fruity gin cocktails are the name of the game at this little rooftop gem hidden down a laneway in Chinatown. The chatty bartenders here—clad in Hawaiian shirts to let you know they don’t take themselves too seriously—sling one of the city’s best collections of both local and imported gin to a soundtrack of old-school hip-hop. It’s a perfect place to while away a sunny afternoon, G&T in hand.
04
Byrdi
Location: 211 La Trobe Street, Tenancy
For a super non-traditional cocktail experience, this place is a must. Looking and feeling more like a sleek modern restaurant than a bar, Byrdi’s seasonal drinks focus on hyper-local ingredients from within a 100km radius of Melbourne and modern techniques. Try beautifully balanced and presented drinks like the Juan Yijun with distilled kelp, Timbarra Farm rhubarb and roasted koji.
05
The Elysian
Location:113 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Run by two of the friendliest and most knowledgeable whisky-fanatics in Melbourne, this cosy and super welcoming little bar is the perfect place for a measure of liquid gold. If you’ve never tried whisky before or you’re a lifelong lover, these guys will guide you to something wonderful with no pretension but plenty of passion. They also make a mean Milo espresso martini.
06
Bouvardia
Location: 2/169 Bourke Street, Melbourne
This highly Instagramable bar features warm service and beautiful cocktails, including some of the city’s very best non-alcoholic concoctions. Great for a date night or an after dinner tipple, it’s hard not to feel classy sitting here in a pink velvet chair and drinking from a polished brass tabletop.
07
Music Room
Location: 1/270 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
It’s all about the tunes at this hidden bar, with a big wall of 3,000 vinyl records taking up the space usually inhabited by liquor bottles. One half of the long bar is a dedicated DJ booth where a constant roster of local and international guests hold court over the tiny room. The other half of the bar pumps out easy-going cocktails with a twist like their delicious blood orange Cosmopolitan. The soundproof walls are decked out in perforated wood panelling, giving the effect of listening to music from inside a speaker, and the trendy young crowd here makes you feel like you’ve found the coolest party in town.
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