The Bars of Melbourne
Melbourne is a city of a thousand bars. Well, we say a thousand, but no one’s sure of the exact number. They’re hidden everywhere and anywhere. There’s a bar at the Railway Administration Building. There’s a bar in a shipping container in Chinatown. There are bars down alleys and on rooftops. If there’s a spare space, someone will put a bar in it. And who can be annoyed about that?
Here’s a collection of bars around the main suburbs in Melbourne, reviews if we have them. Feel free to add any more if and when you find them.
CBD
1804
169 Exhibition Street
Between Bourke and Little Bourke you’ll find a boring looking door reading 1804. Inside, you’ll find one of the most beautiful and interesting cocktail lounges around. The bar itself is made from the Orchestra pit of an old stage, the stage is still there as a backdrop, rippling velvet curtains and all. The drinks will set you back a fair amount, but they are truly worth it. The official theme is a history if cocktails bar, so you can order drinks from 1804 to the present. An Amazing collection, and the staff can tell you exactly what you’re drinking, and why it’s done the way it is. If you have the money to spend, I would highly recommend,.
Adelphi Hotel (Deck 10)
187 Flinders Lane
Between Regents Place and Russell Street, up on Level 10 of the Adelphi Hotel, you’ll find a poolside bar perfect for those summers days. Great views, great tiems. But stringent security, so dress up and be on your best behavior
Balcony Bar
422 Little Collins Street
Just off Queen Street, Balcony is known as a ladies perfect cocktail bar. Very comfortable, very sheik. Drinks are on the expensive side, but good quality
Berlin Bar
16 Corrs Lane
On Little Collins Street, between Exhibition and Russell, Berlin bar nestles itself cozily above a busy nightclub. Wonderfully set up like German pre 1989. Half the bar is sleek, suave and beautiful. The other is bleak, baron and rather communist. Great fun, interesting to see and well worth the trip.
Cabinet Bar
11 Rainbow Alley
Walk up Swanston Street, just after Little Collins street, there is a café just off the street, go past the left side, and you see a little door way leading up to Cabinet. A beautiful little spot, maybe a little pricey, but a great selection of beers, and amazing pizza’s. The balcony overlooks Swanston Street, and is perfect for a lunchtime session.
Carlton Bar
193 Bourke Street
Turn left off Swanston Street, the Carlton Hotel was an old hostel that was closed down a few years back. They sprayed painted everything with fake suede, got a few full scale animal models, and made it into a bar. They have a brilliant cheap steak night on Tuesdays, and one heck of an atmosphere. Just the look of the palce alone is enough to make you want to make it your local
Chaise Lounge
Basement 15 Queen Street
Just before Little Collins, hidden away in the basement, is Chaise Lounge. A perfect example of why Melbourne’s bars have sucha reputation. Unless you knew about it, you’d never have gone there, but when you do go there, you wonder why no one else is. 2 for 1 cocktails, tons of specials, great atmosphere. A perfect Melbourne experience.
Charlie’s Bar
71 Hardware lane
A great variety of cocktails on the menu, beautiful décor. Well worth the trip if you have the money
Chez Regine
270 Russell Street Melbourne
A place that prides itself on its whiskey. Which means it’s going to serve the good stuff. If goon is starting to taste good to you, try this place, and remind yourself of why we loved alcohol in the first place.
Chi lounge
Level 1-3, 195 Little Bourke Street
When on Swanston Street, Turn right onto Little Bourke (Chinatown), and you’ll find Chi Lounge. A Cocktail Karaoke Bar. Quite tasteful, yet with that tinge of Cheese that fills any karaoke bar. Good social place, and great with a group willing to participate
Cho Gao
Level 3, Melbourne Central Station
Up in the high reaches of Melbourne Central, between the greasy fast food is a wonderful Asian themed bar. The balcony overlooks the State Library, they offer great food, and lots of drinks. What more could you want?
CQ
113 Queen Street
On Queen Street Between little Collins and Bourke Street, CQ is a large and relaxed bar. Quite crowded with after work drinkers around 5-7pm. Some great food available, and a really good terrace.
Croft Institute
Croft Alley
Walk down little Bourke Street (Chinatown), just past Russell street, and you’ll see a tiny, dimly lit alley, that looks like it holds nothing but rubbish bins full of old sweet and sour pork. But if you follow it down, you;’ll find it twists and turns, until you find yourself and Croft. The vibe is usually brilliant. Hipsters love it. The drinks are served with a syringe for the sake of amusing photos, and a general medical theme carries on around the whole venue. Strange electronic music wafts down from upstairs, and the smoking area always holds amusing conversations. Defiantly one to check out while here.
Curtain House –
252 Swanston Street (between Little Bourke and Lonsdale Street). Curtain House is home to 3 bars-
Toff in Town (Level 2)
Home to some great music, swing dancing lessons on Mondays, and the wonderful carriage room, Toff is a great place all week round
Cookie (level 3)
A popular place for workers, especially on Friday. Simple and open, a dance floor will always break out.
Rooftop (the roof)
At the very top is the brilliant Rooftop Bar. a great collection of beers, monthly in house artwork, and a fake grass seating area. Through the summer, they hold the Rooftop cinema, sit in a deck chair, grab a crepe, drink a pint and watch a great film while overlooking the skyline.
Deck
508 Flinders Street
At the bottom of King street (just off Flinders), a small alley leads to Deck Lounge. Wonderful for a midday pot or two, just as good for a funky night out.
Double Happiness
21 Liverpool Street
Go to the Paris end of Bourke Street, and turn into Liverpool Street.
Drunken Poet
65 Peel Street
Opposite Queen Vic Market is a wonderful little Irish influenced (not themed) bar, full of character, and characters. Always busy, ltos of free music and entertainment. Greta for a quiet one through the day, or a loud one at night
Emerald Peacock
233 Lonsdale Street
Just off Swanston Street, this venue has a great rooftop bar, and a certain mystery about it. Very cool, and the kind you want to tell no one about
European Bier Café
120 Exhibition Street
On the corner of Little Collins. Over 50 different beers available from around the world. Need anything else?
Eurotrash
18 Corrs Lane
Off little Bourke, and below the Berlin Bar is Eurotrash. You’ll have a messy night here. You won’t remember it. But you’ll wake up the next day with a transvestite wig, a business card of a Moroccan Carpet salesman and a headache that would kill a moose. Enjoy!
The Gallery Room
Level 1, 510 Flinders Street
On the corner of King Street and Flinders Street, Gallery has an amazing cocktail menu, and is becoming a must see hang out. A little on the expensive side, but if you want a quality cocktail, you have to pay.
Highlander
11a Highlander Lane
Off Flinders Street, just past King, you’ll find Highlander Lane, with its namesake bar. Interesting décor, a wonderful range of Vodka. Perfect for some after work drinks.
Horse Bazaar
397 Little Lonsdale Street
Up towards the Queen Victoria Market and between Elizabeth and Queen street, there’s a funky little Horse Bazaar. Great staff serve a nice selection, an indoor smoking area that’s really outdoors, and always a great atmosphere.
Loop Project Space & Bar
23 Meyers Place Melbourne
Up the Paris end of Bourke Street, turn into Meyers Place. Loop is an art project turned bar. With constant screenings of artist work, films, short films, doco’s, music videos and more. New installations every week, and always something interesting to see and do
Lounge
243 Swanston Street
On Swanston Street, just before Lonsdale Street, Lounge is a main stay in the Melbourne bar scene. Some great music gets played, some good happy hours come and go, and many a great night is had.
Madame Brussels
Level 3, 59-63 Bourke St
At the Paris end of Bourke Street is the beautiful Madame Brussels. Originally, it was Melbourne’s first brothel. But it true Melbourne Style, whatever it once was, it is now a bar. Beautiful setting, excellent terrace for those warm summer evenings. And elegant as f—k.
Match Bar and Grill
249 Little Lonsdale Street
Between Swanston and Russell is Match, with a handy selection of Wines, great drinks, funny staff, and some darn fine food. If you like to sit outside on a nice day and enjoy your beers slowly, Match is for you.
Misty Place
3-5 Hosier Lane
Walk down Flinders Street, past the Station, and turn left onto Hosier Lane, Misty’s is one of the original Laneway Bars. Relaxed vinyl couches, Kubrick themed back bar, arty crowd, great drinks, well worth a look
Nectar Lounge
Basement 229 Little Bourke Street
Between Elizabeth and Swanston Street is Nectar, known to some as ‘The Future of Drinking’. Plush surroundings, great selection of anything you could want to drink. Great place to start a big party night.
Papa Goose
91 Flinders Lane
Between Exhibition and Russell Street, Papa Goose is a recently opened Tapas’ Restaurant and bar. Older crowd, but funky beats.
PJ O’Briens
Southgate Centre
Past the casino along the river you’ll find PJ’s an Irish bar, full of all the things we love about Irish bars. Cheesy Music, Gingers toasting Robbie Keane and Shamrocks and…what else do Irish people do? Jig? Anyway…it’s always worthwhile, you’ll struggle not to finish the night with a beaming smile and story. You may not understand a word they say, but man they’re good drinking buddies.
Ponyfish Island
Southbank Bridge
From the Casino side of the river, cross the main bridge, and mid way across you’ll find a staircase going down to a mini café with a license to serve a small selection of beers. Perfect on a sunny day, a hidden gem out in the open.
Long Room
162 Collins Street
Turn right off Swanston Street and follow the well dressed line of people into Long Room. Shirt and Shoes are required, but well worth it. Relaxed, interesting, high class, and great Sushi.
Red Hummingbird
246 Russell Street
Right at the top of the city, just off Lonsdale Street Red hummingbird is a very stylish and interesting bar. Better the less people are there, as it has wonderful décor, but still good for a night out. They host some interesting theme nights too.
Rooftop Cider bar
Corner of Swanston and Flinders
Above Young and Jacksons you’ll find the rooftop Cider Bar. 25 bottled varieties, 9 on tap, and mulled wine in the winter.
Robot Sushi
Walk down Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Queen Streets, and you’ll find the little Bligh Place laneway on your right. At the end is Robot Sushi, an anime themed bar. Lots of drink specials, and Anime nights for those nights where all you want is a beer and Akira.
Section 8
27 Tattersall’s lane
Turn off Swanston Street onto Lonsdale, and take the little laneway into Chinatown. That open area full of hipsters sitting on milk crates? Yeah, that’s the bar. Once you start going to this place, you find it hard to pick another each time you go out. Great music gets played, they sell Long necks, and it just oozes awesomeness. Once you’ve had enough beers, go next door to the Shanghai Dumpling House. Beautiful.
Syn Bar
Level 1, 163 Russell Street
They have great tequila here. I remember that much
Tony Starr’s Kitten Club
267 Little Collins Street,
Tony Starr dreamt up the kitten club when he realized he wanted to see the 1950’s in Melbourne. With an old school vibe, you’d expect gogo girls and cravat wearing gents to be wandering past with martini’s. Quite kitsch, but a good laugh nonetheless
Transport
Fed Square
Full of cheesy music, and a large crowd each weekend, Transport is perfect if you want simplicity. Drinks are expensive however, and you will find nothing original. If you fancy something a little classier, try upstairs-
Transit Cocktail Bar
Again expensive, but wonderful views, and really good for a relaxed evening few
Trunk
275 Exhibition Street
Walk up exhibition Street to the corner of Little Lonsdale, and you’ll find the only single-story building in the whole CBD. A great range of drinks, minimalist and elegant, with a hint of kitsch. The courtyard is nestled around a heritage listed 150 year old tree. Perfect for a daytime brew.
