The best bars for first dates in Melbourne

Nestled humbly within the Wesley Place precinct, behind the Wesley Church and beside a resilient olive tree with origins dating back further than 1875, is Caretaker’s Cottage. It's now a bustling, albeit pint-sized public bar where you can feel part of Melbourne’s history, and its future, all at the same time. The intimate yet approachable space, which screams "house party at your parents’ cool friend’s house", is the ideal setting for a first date. The ever-rotating vinyl selection makes for easy small talk as you work your way through the strictly curated drinks menu. It's warm and cosy, lively and jovial, modern and fresh – but grounded in yesteryear.

Cocktails, whisky, blues, good service and Reuben sandwiches until 2am: Beneath Driver Lane has all of the ingredients for a perfect first date. The venue is cosy, with dim lighting that makes everyone look great and plenty of private booths for earnest conversation (or canoodling).

Newcomer Young Hearts is on a mission to bring together the food, music and art synonymous with Melbourne’s culture in one red-hot Windsor space. The triad comes to life through a vinyl DJ console, stage and rotating exhibitions and menus, meaning everytime you walk in, there's something different and exciting to experience. 'Live Thursdays' and other weekly events see some of Melbourne's most prolific jazz, soul and electrconic artists take the spotlight, making Young Hearts the perfect destination for first dates between musos. A slick cocktail list and cosy, dimly lit booths only add to the cool factor.

Should you need another reason to believe that Brunswick East is the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world, the arrival of Maggie's Snacks and Liquor is it. The former site of the Alehouse Project, Maggie's Snacks and Liquor features a courtyard, natural wood fireplace and snazzy cocktail lounge. With all the familiarity of your aunt's living room and the unpredictability of a wild night out, Maggie's is helmed by a group of old friends and veterans of Melbourne's restaurant scene, including Alejandro Archibald, Kaidee Grzankowski, Scott Blomfield, Jessica Spooner and Nathan Toleman. Together, they have worked across Supernormal, Lilac Wine, the Kettle Black and Blackhearts and Sparrows.

If you're out to impress, scoot on up to the 55th floor of the Rialto for well-crafted cocktails and knockout city views. You've been warned: the cocktails do not come cheap, so sip slowly, soak up the vibes and perhaps aim to head to the pub after for a few cheap frothies to make up for it. The only problem with choosing the Lui Bar for your first encounter is that you're setting the bar very high for any future dates. 

It’s been a good summer for Preston locals. First, we learned that the legendary Preston Market has been saved from closure (until 2028, at least), and now it's been revealed that the Preston Hotel has opened a hip new rooftop bar with scenic city views. Sitting high against a mural of wall art by local artist Sebastian Fransz, Lulu Bar is a gathering place for sunset Spritzes, tapas-style share plates, DJ sets, pizza dinners and everything in between. Being brand new, it's buzzing with fresh energy right now. Just like the beginnings of blossoming relationship.

A celebration of all things fizz, fermentation and funk, this new watering hole holds capacity for 300 thirsty travellers, but it still feels intimate and warm – ideal for setting up a special and memorable first date. Expect an eclectic mix of natural wines, wild ales and a seasonal cocktail menu showcasing, with fun produce-driven snacks to line your belly for the drinks. The bar and bottle shop lead out into a beer garden in the back lane (a world-renowned graffiti hot spot), with big communal tables and picnic-style umbrellas. 

The folks at Commune Group, responsible for fellow Southside gems Firebird, Hanoi Hannah and Tokyo Tina, have added to their collection yet another ambitious project: a two-level Italian dining and drinking space alluringly christened Studio Amaro. The multi-purpose venue isn't just another place to wine and dine, with a generous focus on music and DJ residencies. Think disco, funk and plenty of Euro nostalgia. On the food and drink front, expect no-nonsense aperitivo drops, a sharp selection of wines and beer, and classic Italian staples designed for sharing. There's even a buzzing basement bar, where you can dance the night away if your first date goes well.

If you're sick of awkward first dates and bad at making small talk, head to the Keys, Preston’s fun new venue that is making bowling cool again. Break the ice over tasty pizza and cold beers (there are 48 on tap to choose from), then grab a lane and get bowling. It's the perfect spot for a first drink if you like to keep things casual, but still want to impress your date with some retro, reimagined fun. 

Public Wine Shop is the very model of the modern-era wine bar and the ultimate easy-going first date spot. There’s soul spinning on the turntable, rows of wine bottles lining the brick wall and a communal table to rule them all. Altogether, it adds up to that incalculable feeling that you’ve somehow stumbled into a mate’s place rather than the new haunt of one of Australia’s most promising chefs. With award-winning sommelier Campbell Burton as its owner and an impressive line-up of natural, organic, oxidative and all-round minimally messed-with wines, you could spend the whole evening talking about wine alone if all else fails. Unfussy food elevates this to a truly memorable first date spot – think oysters with a squeeze of lemon and beef carpaccio with a buttermilk and parmesan dressing. Wander through the door and there’s a good chance you and your date are not going anywhere for a long time

Make your way through the shiny copper-hued doors of QT Melbourne, through the elegant foyer and all the way up in one of the elevators, and you’ll find what has long been one of Melbourne’s hipper rooftop bars. Sitting high above the boutique hotel’s Russell Street facade is Rooftop at QT, an indoor-outdoor rooftop haven with expansive views of our picturesque skyline. Later on, it's got just enough suits, liquor and dancefloor action to help with any self-consciousness you might feel in a quieter setting, yet this energy is peacefully anchored by comfy lounges on the deck, a decent bar snack menu and sweeping cityscape views. Spot-on first date vibes. 

If you want to get a little dressed up for your first date, head to Nick and Nora’s, a glitzy establishment dedicated to the golden era of post-prohibition 1930s soirees and high society parties. It’s all very grand. A grand staircase. A grand hallway lined with 400 bottles of Champagne. A massive grand marble bar with bartenders serving up libation after libation. The waiters are très helpful too, who flip through the menu (best described as a book) and play matchmaker depending on your preferences. No matter which poison you pick, you’re probably in for a surprise as these aren’t your average cocktails. The Mista Asta is a deeply savoury Martini that balances vodka and aquavit with clarified tomato water and sundried tomato oil. It’s silky, perfectly diluted and a little bit strange, but it works. You're sure to impress your date if you can score a table here.

This intimate, clubby space just off Russell Street glows with an amber hue as the low lighting bounces off the 500 or more whisky bottles that are stacked behind the bar. It's probably worth asking whether your date is into whisky, or at least willing to learn about it, before locking this place in. Once you score a table, the enthusiastic and knowledgeable bartenders will help break the ice as they suggest various drinks or help you work through a blind tasting. Before you know it, it'll probably be well into the evening and you will be patting yourself on the back for organising such a smash-hit of a date. 

Don's sits behind an unassuming white facade on Commercial Road in Prahran, providing a little haven from the chaos of the neighbouring Chapel Street clubs and bars. A low-key wine bar serving stellar snacks, it's the kind of place that will make your date think you really know how to find the hottest spots in town. Snag a spot at the bar and chat about the latest wines with the friendly bartenders or find one of the few tables for a more intimate experience. An often-rotating menu includes specials such as tuna tartare, Bloody Mary prawns, kangaroo katsu sandos and tonnato with Savoy crackers. And don't go past the pasta on a spoon. Don't ask, just try it. 

Joanie's Baretto is bringing a little laid-back Italian attitude to Thornbury. The European-style bar with heart and soul serves Aperol Spritzes, an Italian-only wine list and tasty snacks. As you progress from small talk to actually getting to know each other, munch on cheese and salumi boards, mini arancini and bruschetta. The warm and cosy vibe will make it easy to move onto a second bottle of red without even realising it.

You and your date will feel as though you've been transported to Spain when you take a seat at the counter of this romantic bar. Share some tapas-style dishes (get the oysters) over delicious cocktails or a bottle of Portuguese wine and soak up the carefree atmosphere. If you are keen to keep chatting, order a few more snacks to keep you going, such as the scallop and pork cheek pintxo or the trademark kingfish 'pancetta' with lemon oil and red onions. 

Milney's is hard to find, but usually the best bars are. There isn't really any signage so if you ask a first date to meet you there, you'll have to ask them to look for the 'M' on the door. It's like a scavenger hunt to build up the excitement, and once they find it, they might be impressed. Or they'll assume you think you're way too cool for school. In any case, the treasures inside are worth seeking out: frosty local beers from Bodriggy, wines on tap, a leafy, generous courtyard with cute little alcoves for making out (if it gets to that stage), excellent tunes and rather friendly bar staff. Just a solid good bar.

This low-lit, vintage-style lounge with cosy booths for canoodling and literary-inspired cocktails seems to have been built with first dates in mind. Drink boutique wines and craft beers, snack on locally sourced cheese and charcuterie, and listen to an eclectic vinyl collection as you do your best to impress each other. And if things get a little quiet, you can always break up the chit-chat with a game of pool.

With all-Australian spirits, inventive cocktails and toasted jaffles, it’s the unpretentious and anything-goes nature of Bad Frankie’s that makes it great. A fab spot for a relaxed first date, you can feast on a selection of signature jaffles such as the vintage cheddar and mozzarella served with your choice of Vegemite or tomato chutney, or the bacon, cheese and mince, touted as the “the best meat pie jaffle in Australia”.