Bars & Pubs
Navigating Melbourne's best bars, pubs, breweries and drinking holes
Where to drink right now
The best late-night bars in Melbourne
Just because it's the small hours and you're up for a drink, it doesn't mean you want to be yelling over the music in a nightclub. Thankfully, there's plenty of places in Melbourne to enjoy a quiet(ish) beverage until sunrise – and with the 24-hour public transport network operating on weekends, it's easier than ever to get home. For more nocturnal fun, check out our guide to late-night bottle shops and late-night dining.
The best bars for drinking alone in Melbourne
Look, we're not here to judge. Maybe you just want to treat yourself to a little alone time and a good bottle of wine, or maybe you've clocked off early and need to kill some time before meeting up with friends. Maybe you're freelancing and coffee just isn't going to cut it any longer (oh yeah, we've been there). Whatever the reason, here's where to get a cheeky bevvy on your own in Melbourne. For more ideas, check out our guides to Melbourne's best wine bars, cocktail bars and hidden bars.
Choose your favourite drink
Melbourne's drinking hotspots
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Little Creatures Live
You might already enjoy their beer – including Pale Ale, Rogers' and Dog Days – but did you know there's a way to take your Little Creatures love a little deeper? This year the brewery is taking their show on the road with a series of parties that feature live performance art, food and beer at various on-premise locations and festivals across Australia. They're calling it Little Creatures Live – inspired by the original moniker of their very first Pale Ale, brewed their own way with fresh hops flowers and live yeast. Little Creatures Live will be back in Melbourne very soon. Curious as to what to expect? Check out our recaps below. Or if you can't wait, why not pay a visit to Little Creatures' Geelong or Fremantle breweries?
The Perth Hitlist: What to do and where to go on a three or five day stay
It’s the only capital city in Australia where you can watch the sun set over the ocean, but that’s not the only reason Perth is now one of the coolest places to visit. Once known only for its pristine beaches, Perth’s love of food and culture is capturing the attention of tastemakers. Blame it on Instagram or the perfect weather – no one can explain how WA’s capital city made its way onto the international radar – but the latest frenzy of new hotel openings, a statewide culinary scene that is booming and a string of new urban projects may provide some clues. Stay a little longer and you can explore ancient caves and award winning wineries just three hours ‘down south’ around Margaret River. // var axel = Math.random() + ""; var a = axel * 10000000000000; document.write(''); //
13 things we love about winter in Melbourne
When winter's chill sets in, it can be tempting to hibernate. Our advice: don't. As a city that takes pride in its top-notch food and drink culture, arts, festivals and fashion, Melbourne comes into its own in winter – and we're here to help you make the most of it. Never have a boring winter's day again with these 14 rainy day activities in Melbourne; and stay toasty with our list of 21 ways to beat the cold. If all else fails, grab a seat next to the fireplace at one of these cosy pubs.
Taste your way around Melbourne at this new Southbank eatery
There’s something so intrinsically Melbourne about Bombini Buzz, Arts Centre Melbourne’s newest eatery. Part café and part bar, you can seamlessly transition from morning to night here without even having to leave its prime river’s edge location. The best part? Bombini Buzz put the focus on Melbourne makers – everything from the coffee to the Melbourne inspired tarts sold in store are locally made, so you’re supporting local suppliers while you dine. Keen to have a perfect Melbourne experience featuring goods from Bombini Buzz? Here’s a little itinerary we prepared earlier. 9am: Start your day with a micro-roasted coffee from Seven Seeds coffee brewed fresh by Bombini Buzz’s talented baristas. Take a sip alongside one of BB’s house made pastries – these specially made tarts are inspired by the streets and laneways of Melbourne. Our pick? The Queensberry Street tart, a chocolate cake with raspberry curd and coconut mousse. 10am: Next, take a short walk over to the Royal Botanic Gardens. If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the city CBD without actually leaving it, this is the place. Home to a cool 8,500 plant species, zen lakes and lush lawns, visitors can take part in workshops, tours, walks and talks that showcase the intricacies of the gardens. 12pm: Time for a gelato! Try some natural gelato and sorbet from Billy van Creamy, served fresh and ice cold at Bombini Buzz. While it’s locally produced in Fitzroy North, Bombini Buzz has a range of their most po