Subscribe 
Subscribe 
Subscribe The Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne to Try This Weekend
The best cocktail bars in Melbourne serve drinks worth their weight in gold.
Melbourne’s cocktail scene has never felt more electric. Across the city, bartenders are shaking, stirring and sculpting drinks with a level of craft that borders on alchemy — from candlelit speakeasies tucked behind unmarked doors to sky-high lounges dripping in late-night glamour. These are the places where velvet booths call your name, ice glints like jewellery, and every pour carries its own little story.
Whether you’re chasing something brooding, bright or boldly inventive, Melbourne has a bar ready to set the night in motion.
Best Cocktail Bars Melbourne: CBD
Death & Co
A New York legend has officially taken up residence on Flinders Lane, and the city’s bar scene just levelled up. Death & Co — the bar that reshaped modern cocktail culture — brings its moody elegance, meticulous craft, and world-famous drinks to Melbourne for its first-ever international outpost. The signatures are here (the Naked & Famous, the Oaxacan Old Fashioned), joined by Melbourne-leaning creations that showcase local spirits and seasonal nuance.
87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Three Horses
The team behind Caretaker’s Cottage has unveiled its next act: Three Horses, a Spanish-tinged cocktail bar on Little Lonsdale Street that hums with intrigue. The drinks list leans heavily on sherry, weaving it through 16 cocktails that span cult favourites (yes, the House Martini rides again) to new creations shaped by Madrid nights. Sherry is also available by the bottle, alongside thoughtful wines and a European-style lager kissed with sherry. Moody, intimate and dazzling, it’s Melbourne’s latest after-dark obsession.
106 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Curious
Curious dives headfirst into science-meets-cocktail artistry with Curious Matter, a Matt Whiley collaboration that treats the bar like a laboratory of flavour. Each drink explores a state of matter — solid, liquid, gas, vapour and curiosity — through clever textures, bold aromatics and playful theatrics. From coconut-salted rum storms to smoky bourbon soft-serve and herb-laced highballs, every glass lands as a tiny, brilliant experiment made for Melbourne’s most adventurous drinkers.
W Melbourne, 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Mr Mills
Mr Mills doesn’t announce itself — it doesn’t need to. Hidden beneath Marmelo, this moody little den draws you in with its low light and effortless charm, the sort of spot you wander into and instantly settle into. The drinks are outstanding. Classics land with clean precision, but the clarified green apple margarita is the real showstopper — crisp, bright and dangerously drinkable. One becomes two, the evening softens, and suddenly you’re in no rush to leave.
Basement/130 Russell Street, Melbourne
Mill Place Merchants
Mill Place Merchants feels like a Fitzgerald dream made real, tucked inside an 1840s heritage building in the heart of the CBD. Slip through the unmarked Mill Place entrance and into a room glowing with candlelight, exposed brick and velvet drapery — a stage set for impeccably stirred classics and clever house creations. Live jazz fills the space, the mood deepens, and the night unfolds with a touch of old-world glamour and Melbourne edge.
Ground Floor/2 Mill Place, Melbourne
Aster
Perched above Tattersalls Lane, Aster is a moody hideaway where cocktail craftsmanship truly shines. Their Japanese Slipper is a masterclass in balance — Midori, Cointreau and lemon juice spun into a silky, citrus-led sip. The Spicy Coconut Margarita, though, is the standout, weaving tequila, creamy coconut and a bright hit of heat. Vinyl plays, the lights stay low, and every drink arrives with precision and flair. Here, magic is in the details.
Level 1 & 2/31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne
The Valiant
Hidden above a Queen Street convenience store and reached through a discreet car park entrance, The Valiant delivers Los Angeles-meets-Paris-Hilton-noughties glamour infused with Jay Gatsby opulence. Jewel-toned banquettes, marble tables and a ceiling of disco balls set the mood, while classic cocktails arrive with showstopping flair. With clever snacks and a lavish, late-night glow, this Melbourne cocktail bar feels like a portal to pure indulgence — no password required.
Level 1/412 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Bar Ampere
Slip through the shadows of Russell Place and into Bar Ampere, where late nights stretch long and absinthe flows like whispered secrets. A fever dream of industrial futurism and art deco elegance, it hums with the low glow of filament bulbs and the clink of amaro-heavy cocktails. The drinks are daring, the menu runs deep into the night, and the atmosphere is pure underground glamour. Whether you crave a sharp aperitif or a 3am revelation, Ampere delivers.
16 Russell Place, Melbourne
One or Two
Ever wanted a bar that feels like a knowing nod, a quiet thrill, a secret only the best nights find? One or Two is exactly that. Hidden down Celestial Avenue, this 24-seater hums with low-lit intimacy, slinging precision-crafted cocktails and rare small-batch whiskies with effortless cool. Every sip tells a story, every detail feels intentional — like a moment suspended in time. Settle in, slow down, and let the night shape itself around you.
18 Celestial Avenue, Melbourne
Caretakers Cottage
Caretaker’s Cottage is the tiny bluestone bar that’s somehow become Melbourne’s worst-kept secret. Tucked behind Wesley Church, this candlelit hideaway pours flawless classics, seasonal creations and one of the city’s most elegant Martinis, all to the easy sounds of vinyl and genuine warmth from the bar team. Guinness on tap, clever snacks and a touch of old-world romance seal its status as a world-ranked favourite worth squeezing into.
139-141 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Apollo Inn
From the team behind Gimlet comes Apollo Inn, an evocative cocktail bar honouring one of Melbourne’s earliest public houses. This intimate, supper-club-style space is a tribute to the timeless craft of the cocktail, with four martini variations and a list of classic and seasonal pours mixed with real finesse. Settle in for refined drinks and clever snacks designed for lingering over a night that unfolds with quiet sophistication.
Try: A Gwyneth-approved Gibson martini — très chic.
165 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Jayda
Confident, sexy and unique, Jayda seduces passers-by with a cheeky red neon glow. She’s serving on all fronts too – with a strong snack game (it is Shane Delia we’re talking about here) and show-stopping, exclusive cocktails (Strawberry & Cream Negroni, anyone?), as well as beautiful art deco vibes that ooze sophistication. Walk-ins welcome.
19 Bond Street, Melbourne
Pearl Diver
Pearl Diver brings a fresh twist to Melbourne’s cocktail scene with its choose-your-own oyster journey, paired with tiki-leaning cocktails and classics lifted by Victorian spirits. Rock and pacific oysters arrive natural, dressed in crème fraîche and caviar, or grilled Kilpatrick, all suited to bright sours and fruit-led tipples. The standout is the Sea & Shell Martini, a coastal riff featuring a liquified olive shaped as an oyster.
56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Byrdi
Byrdi is a cocktail bar like no other, where innovation meets alchemy in a sleek, minimalist space infused with warmth. Each season brings a new roster of mind-bending drinks, highlighting Victoria’s diverse landscapes in every glass. Sip on a smoky High Country-inspired serve or a coastal-infused concoction bursting with native botanicals. From wattleseed boba to Carolina Reaper heat, every cocktail is a sensory spectacle. Come prepared to have your mind blown — Byrdi is pure liquid artistry.
Corner of La Trobe and Swanston Streets, Melbourne
Nick & Nora’s
Nick & Nora’s channels the shimmer of the Golden Age with rare finesse, bringing Gatsby-era glamour into a modern, jewel-toned setting. The cocktail list is expansive and artfully curated, spanning sours, spritzes, punches and spirit-led creations poured with theatrical flair. Liquid nitrogen swirls, oysters and cheese arrive to match, and every drink lands with a sense of pure occasion.
80 Collins Street, Melbourne
Bouvardia
One of Melbourne’s more intriguing cocktail bars, Bouvardia serves just 11 cocktails… and you’ll want to try them all. Each has a dedicated page on the menu, showing its flavours, volume, ABV and even acidity, highlighting the bar’s precision.
The bar plays with lacto-fermentation, native ingredients and uncommon ingredients, resulting in fascinating drinks like the Honey, I Burnt the Yoghurt, which incorporates salted honeydew, Packham pear and caramelised yoghurt. The dark, moody space is an exercise in elegant minimalism, accented with pink banquettes and an emerald-green marble bar.
Level 2/169 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne: Inner City
Moondrop
Fitzroy’s late-night landscape has a new star: Moondrop, a Chinese-inspired cocktail den from the Sleepy’s crew. Set above Gertrude Street, the former Everleigh has transformed into a Shanghai-1930s dreamscape of moonlit drapery, red mosaic tiles and Mahjong tables carved into bluestone. Cocktails run bold — baijiu martinis, ube-kissed bubble-tea riffs, moon-rabbit Negronis — paired with dumplings, bao and a playful caviar moment.
Level 1/150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Hands Down
When Melbourne’s top bartenders team up, you get a bar that feels instantly magnetic. Hands Down transforms the former Bad Frankie space into a warm Fitzroy haunt built for great drinks and easy connection. Vermouth-led creations, sherry spritzes and clever snacks fuel the flow, while wood panelling and mellow light create an effortless backdrop for summer catch-ups and new neighbourhood mates.
139-141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy
Bar Selecta
Bar Selecta brings Tokyo’s listening-bar culture to Hawthorn in a 10-seat, vinyl-rich hideaway just off Glenferrie Road. The sound system is sourced from Japan, the whisky pedigree comes via The Elysian, and the sake list is curated with Flower Drum finesse. Cocktails lean clean and considered — think clever highballs and Midnight Cowboy riffs — all served metres from the DJ, creating a moody, immersive sip-and-sound experience.
Rear entry, 717 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Pendant Public Bar
Just off Brunswick Street, Pendant Public Bar delivers a sharp, considered take on the neighbourhood local. From Everleigh and Black Pearl alumni Belinda Linton and Luke Kelly, it centres on drinks done properly: Guinness poured with care, seven-to-one Martinis, and Old Fashioneds touched with cognac. The mood sits between casual and composed, with Samboy chips and Nobby’s nuts keeping things refreshingly unfussy. A smart addition to Fitzroy’s bar rotation.
334 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Slowpoke
High above Collingwood, Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout feels like a fever dream brought to life — part rooftop reverie, part disco-soaked daydream. From the crew behind Daybreak Festival, it channels retro Italian glamour and brutalist edge into a lounge that’s all plush booths, terrazzo tables and sun-spilt corners. Harry Costello’s cocktails lean playful yet polished: a hazelnut espresso martini, coconut margarita, yerba maté spritz, and the signature Picante laced with chilli, coriander and honey. Add 360-degree views, DJ-spun nights and a come-as-you-are spirit, and you’ve got Melbourne’s freshest rooftop playground.
Level 4/50 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Sistine on Chapel
Chapel Street has a new seduction: Sistine, the cocktail bar and speakeasy from VALARC Group (Tartine Bistro, Ines Wine Bar, Ned’s). Playful nods to the Renaissance run through its Vatican-inspired rooms and cheeky details — including The Immaculate Conception, a vending machine that dispenses caviar, salumi plates, even hangover kits. A rotating menu from the Ines kitchen adds refinement, while the cocktails bring the drama. Our tip? Order the spicy margarita laced with mint — a hot-cold thrill that might just convert even tequila sceptics.
150A Chapel Street, Windsor
Above Board
A seat at Hayden Lambert’s tiny 16-seat cocktail bar is one of the most coveted in Melbourne. The exclusivity allows his team to give each visitor deeply personalised service, and the resulting experience is reminiscent of what you’d find in the upscale bars of Tokyo or London. Expect a regularly rotating list of cocktails that take inspiration from around the world, alongside classic drinks made to exacting standards.
306 Smith Street, Collingwood
Lola Belle
Lola Belle is a love letter to rum and champagne, wrapped in Fitzroy’s effortless cool. From the crew behind Union Electric, this intimate hideaway glows with old-world glamour, pouring acid-adjusted Hemingway daiquiris, rare rums with real presence, and champagne served with just the right touch of theatre. Slip in for Golden Hour (4pm to 6pm daily), settle into the soft light, and let the evening unfold with style.
233 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Good Measure
This all-day darling has quietly claimed icon status — a shapeshifter that glides from silky Mont Blancs by morning to martinis so dreamy they’ll haunt your REM. Inspired by Tokyo’s cafe-bar hybrids, it’s a study in casual finesse: warm light, curated edges, and cocktails that don’t miss. The Cherry Ripe Old Fashioned? A nostalgic nod dressed up in something darker — the kind of twist that makes you cancel your next plans for this. Go on, do it.
193 Lygon Street, Carlton
Bar Spontana
Bar Spontana is Brunswick’s offbeat beauty, a brilliantly inventive cocktail spot where wild-fermented drinks sit alongside flame-kissed Thai dishes with serious personality. Created by drinks whisperers Josh Hodges and Caleb Baker, it’s a place that abandons the rulebook in favour of flavour, freshness and fun. Expect playful, punchy cocktails, a smart wine list and a relaxed, quietly confident charm that keeps the room buzzing.
4 Saxon Street, Brunswick
Antique Bar
Antique Bar in Elsternwick is the sort of spot that invites you to settle into a leather armchair with a pitch-perfect Old Fashioned and lose track of time. Dark timber, candlelight and vintage touches create a moody, intimate backdrop, while the bar team mix classics with deft, clever twists. With deep shelves of spirits and an impressive wine list, it’s a late-night hideaway that feels like an absolute discovery.
218 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
Eydie’s
Cool but never contrived, Eydie’s is a northern suburbs favourite with a relaxed charm and a personalised touch that keeps locals returning. The bartenders know their craft — warm, attentive and genuinely keen to guide you towards something tailored to your taste, whether it’s an inventive in-house creation or a beautifully made classic with a subtle twist.
Try: A swift Espresso Martini for a lift, or a refined Negroni to ease into the evening.
86 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Bar Conexao
Bar Conexão is a cocktail haven you dream of discovering, unexpected yet effortlessly chic. Hidden away in Eltham, this intimate bar serves expertly crafted classics and inventive sips, all in a setting that radiates good taste. Think art-adorned walls, velvety lighting, and a playlist that hits just right. A Negroni at golden hour or a late-night espresso martini here isn’t just a drink, it’s an experience worth savouring. The fancy snacks? An added bonus.
4/10-18 Arthur Street, Eltham
Where to next? After settling in at one of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne, it’s time to find a venue to suit any vibe, by checking out our favourite cool pubs and underground hangouts.
Subscribe 
Subscribe 
