The 50 best bars in Melbourne

What is it? A casual Carlton North stalwart always up for a good time in the form of great drinks, welcoming service and a devil-may-care community spirit. Update from Lauren Dinse: It's changing location in a little while (but not too far from its OG Rathdowne Street digs), so watch this space.

Why we love it: Gerald’s is and always has been bursting with personality: convivial, boisterous, eccentric, but at the same time, utterly approachable with a flawless soundtrack. A friend to all near and far, it's been a favourite drinking hole of ours for what feels like aeons.

Time Out tip: It's worth having dinner at Gerald's during your visit; the chef's menu changes daily and there's always something new and delicious to try.

What is it? Andrew McConnell’s first standalone cocktail bar – which swung open its leatherbound doors in June 2023 – and has seamlessly settled into its location at McDonald House on Flinders Lane, maintaining a strong and steady stream of visitors nightly, all hoping to squeeze into one of just 30 highly coveted seats. 

Why we love it: It’s hard to imagine a Melbourne where Apollo Inn doesn’t exist, such is the impact this handsome and swanky spot has had on the city’s bar scene in its short lifespan so far. 

Time Out tip: No, you might not get in at peak hour. So yes, make a booking to be safe. 

What is it? A Fitzroy stayer delivering killer cocktails both downstairs and upstairs in the date night-worthy Attic.

Why we love it: Tash Conte’s family-run bar has been a beacon of excellence for more than two decades now. Not content to sit pretty on tried-and-tested masterpieces, the list is always on the move, keeping step with moods and seasons. 

Time Out tip: Try ordering a cocktail that's a bit more left-field. There's an excellent list of classics to try, but you get the most out of Black Pearl's creativity when you play and experiment with your taste preferences. It's a bar where you can expand your horizons. 

What is it? A tiny bar in the same way that Tame Impala is a band. At Above Board you're in Hayden Lambert’s house, even if he has a bit of help some nights.

Why we love it: Ascend towards the pinnacle of cocktail territory without the unwelcome accompaniment of behind-the-bar snobbery. There's only a handful of seats, and all of them face the drinks action where Lambert is putting the art back in artisanal.

Time Out tip: No date to go with? That's mighty fine; you'll feel comfortable here solo, swilling something special and talking drinks with the bartender.

There's a reason that Albert’s Wine Bar has earned its reputation with locals as the spot to hang out. Just as the ideal neighbourhood wine bar should, it serves as the perfect place for a plethora of purposes: a leisurely lunch on a Saturday afternoon; an afterwork drink; a midweek catch-up over a quick but excellent meal. Bring your mates or your mum, bring a colleague or a first date, bring your pup to potter around the patio or even just a good book. Albert’s is achieving everything you expect from your local wine bar, plus a little more.

Time Out tip: With your next drink sorted, settle in for some more substantive snacking. We’ve heard that locals are willing to pay a babysitter mid-week just to pop in for their fix of the much-loved menu mainstay of chicken liver pâté with cornichons and quince.

What is it? A new Melbourne favourite for an excellent dinner and outstanding Italian wines or even just a tipple of amaro and a snack.

Why we love it: It’s stylish and sophisticated with white cloth-draped tables and a tastefully warm and handsome design, plus a welcoming team of well-groomed staff ready to make sure you’re taken care of right away. There’s a modern-vintage feel to Bar Olo that feels distinctly Melbourne. New, exciting and fresh – yet flirting with a bygone era when that special vibe felt, well, more special.

Time Out tip: Try the prawn tramezzini.

What is it? A tiny but mighty CBD bar, set in a building that was once home to the caretaker of the nearby Wesley Church.

Why we love it: Being crowned the 21st best bar in the world on the 2024 World's 50 Best Bars list is just the tip of the highball iceberg when it comes to accolades under its belt. Caretaker's Cottage is quintessentially Melbourne: cool without being pretentious, creative but not overwrought, and intimate without being isolating. Oh, and the Martini here is the best.

Time Out tip: Don't stress if you can't get a seat inside! The courtyard is just as vibe-y in the evenings (think front yard of a grown-up house party).

What is it? Somewhat of a genre-defier, a Jack-of-all-trades that equally channels bistro, wine bar and cocktail bar vibes all at once.

Why we love it: Come here at any time of the week and you’ll be satisfied with thoughtfully prepared European-leaning eats, A-grade cocktails and quality vino – and ultimately, a delightfully good time.

Time Out tip: Never not get the devilled eggs. 

What is it? The very model of the modern-era wine bar.

Why we love it: 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 haunt of one of Australia’s most promising chefs. 

Time Out tip: Don't leave without taking a bottle home; the selection of natural wines here is fabulous. 

What is it? A boozy enclave hidden upstairs from High Street, featuring rotating local DJs, kitchen talent, live music and art exhibitions.

Why we love it: We crowned Young Hearts our fave casual drinking venue in 2025, due to its soulful energy, fun menu and unique concept. The vibe nails it.

Time Out tip: Head in on a Thursday night for free live jazz and an exceptionally tasty burger special.

Earth Angels is a small West Melbourne newcomer that’s seizing the chance to do things its own way. Co-owners Sasha Chifura and Emmanuel John have connected with Narit Kimsat (La Pinta) to lead a vibrant kitchen focusing on funky Southeast Asian small plates, minimal intervention wines and innovative cocktails. Have they manifested a bar? A restaurant? It’s a yes to both – but it’s also a live performance venue, an art gallery and even plays host to a farmers’ market on occasion. If Melbourne’s bar scene continues to embrace hybridity, then Earth Angels is the future.

Time Out tip: Bring your reading glasses; the food menu is hand-chalked in quite a loopy (if disarmingly charming) scrawl on the blackboard. 

It's been almost eight years since Mr West swung open its doors to astonished Footscray locals. Some, rightly so, feared the young bar marked the beginning of the 'cray's dangerous edging into hipster territory. Others, also rightly so, encouraged naysayers to live a little. The latter camp welcomed a new casual drinking home for excellent craft beer, cocktails and locally produced wines – a friendly place where staff could talk tipples with anybody and everybody curious enough to step in for a drink. So how does Mr West fare in 2025? Has it seamlessly woven its offering into the colourful patchwork of Footscray's spirit? It certainly has, and it's still, simply, one of the best in the west.

Time Out tip: Two words: Slice Shop. Yes, you can order a local pizza delivery here, and yes – it's New York-levels of cheesy, smoky pepperoni goodness. 

Getting a beer in St Kilda is easy. Shut your eyes, spin around for a few seconds, start walking in a straight line in any direction, and you'll hit a spot for a pint in no time at all. But a nice cosy nook to sip a wine and suck on a proper fresh oyster? You may be walking for a while – at least, that was the case until the Walrus showed up.

Time Out tip: Only the very best venues have lovely loos, and the Walrus is no exception. If your conversation partner is a bore (bad Hinge date, for example), politely excuse yourself and warm your cheeks on the Japanese-style heated toilet seat for a few relaxing minutes.

Taking its name as a nod to America's great waterways, Goodwater is rapidly becoming Northcote's worst-kept secret. Inspired by the mighty Ohio – a river integral to America's whiskey heritage – the connection here runs far deeper than just the moniker. From the framed Mississippi River maps by US Army Corps engineer Harold Fisk from 1944 that grace the exposed brick walls to the carefully curated selection of more than 250 American whiskeys flowing as freely as the rivers themselves, every detail reflects a profound sense of place and history. Welcome to Goodwater.

Time Out tip: Try to the saucy pork ribwich – you'll thank us later. Oh, and order Boilermakers; they're so good here.

Any epicure worth their Dirty Martini knows that an unassuming alley often holds the best treasures. One or Two is further proof of this. Located down a backstreet in the heart of Chinatown, this cocktail bar delivers cool and contemporary without pretence. Stepping through the understated black door will immediately transport you to Shimokitazawa in Tokyo. And I don't mean the flashy, neon-lighted, anime-character-ed interpretation that Melbourne hospo often attempts. I mean the real, effortless and timeless version.

Time Out tip: A fan of mango sticky rice? You can order it here in cocktail form.

Located on a shopping strip chock-full of fancy designer boutiques, this unassuming (from the outside, at least) and unpretentious spot is the brainchild of chef-owner Clinton McIver, making it the little sibling of his highly regarded fine diner Amaru. But while Amaru encourages you to go on an extravagant dining odyssey across multiple courses, Auterra is the chilled-out and charming companion – ideal for arvo wines, a cute date or long, lazy Sunday lunches.

Time Out tip: Not that Auterra isn't relaxed or casual, but here's a place where you might want to iron your shirt. We're still in Armadale, after all. 

Whisky and Alement has been paving Melbourne nights with precious amber distills since 2010. These guys were also the first to have access to the limited-edition and crazy expensive Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottlings – look for the dark green bottles with white labels and number codes in place of distilleries. Previously you had to shell out north of $200 for a bottle, but at Whisky and Alement suddenly you could buy it by the nip and get a taste of the high life for fewer dollars than your weekly rent. 

Time Out tip: Be a pest and take someone here who insists they "don't like whisky". There's so much variety here, you'll surely change their mind after a flight or a guided tastings with one of the friendly bartenders. 

Another whisky-loving joint, Elysian Whisky Bar has been dishing up wee drams in Fitzroy for years to a discerning crowd who might opt for a flight or simply trust the knowledgeable bar staff to find something they love. Key to this speciality bar’s success is the painstakingly built 350-strong backbar of rare and independently bottled whiskies. Each bottle has been hand-selected, resulting in an eclectic collection full of one-offs you won’t find elsewhere in the city. 

Time Out tip: About ten new whiskies are introduced at the Elysian every week, so to keep up-to-date to which bottles are open, follow the bar on Instagram.

If Champagne is your thing, Nick and Nora’s is the place for a glass of celebratory bubbles. This Roaring '20s-themed temple of decadence has walls of Champagne bottles and cocktails themed around the heroes and villains of a hard-boiled crime book. Nick and Nora Charles are characters created by crime writer Dashiell Hammett and with just one visit to this glitzy cocktail bar from the Speakeasy Group, you'll think it's a crime to go anywhere else.

Time Out tip: Don't wait for a special occasion; pull up those stocking suspenders, paint on a beauty mark or a stripe of crimson lippy and pretend you're on the set of The Great Gatsby. This bar won't bat an eye.

Embla could be thought of as a beloved restaurant just as often as it is a wine bar – a casual dining destination equally suitable for both a proper meal and a quick snack-and-drink. This CBD venue won both our Best Casual Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year awards in 2016 and our Hot Talent award in 2017 and to this day, it's not hard to see why it's been so treasured since it first burst onto the scene. Chef Dave Verheul and wine genius Christian McCabe know how to make their guests happy, the soured cucumbers still slap and we trust we'll enjoy this classy offering for many years to come. 

Time Out tip: This is where you bring someone out of town for the quintessential Melbourne city wine bar experience.

This sultry new Latin-inspired bar Santana is offering one of the CBD’s most sensual and thoughtfully curated casual drinking experiences above ground level. Consider puffing away on a Montecristo Short while nursing an El Presidente – a perfect balance of dark rum, dry vermouth, curacao and cranberry grenadine. Or swirling a glass of Emiliana Natura carménère from Chile while you take in moody views of the city’s nightscape. 

Time Out tip: Ask to see the cigars from the humidor. While you may not smoke, the stories behind some of these products are fascinating and it's like a free Cuban history lesson while you nurse your drink.

Chef Nagesh Seethiah opened the doors of Manzé (Creole for 'eat') in November 2021 to strong interest, with tables booking out completely in its debut month and often since then. It’s arguably Australia’s highest profile culinary representation of Mauritian cuisine, but as we came to find on our most recent visit, that’s only the beginning of its appeal. 

Time Out tip: The rum selection here is a highlight, so don't forget a nightcap.

Kew, long known for its leafy streets and let's just say well-to-do residents, has been crying out for a proper cocktail bar. Chef Joseph Vargetto, the mastermind behind Mister Bianco, has finally answered that call with Bianchetto. It's moody, it’s intimate, and it feels like it was plucked from a Fellini film. 

Time Out tip: Movie Nights are back on Tuesdays, so pop in for a black-and-white classic. 

Another new bar channelling the Prohibition era, Naught Distilling is worth the trip out to Eltham for a speakeasy designed to showcase Naught’s award-winning range of gins. The décor is dramatic pressed metal and velvet, and the huge stone bar is the perfect place to belly up and try the drinks and simple snacks like pâtés. There is a dedicated tiki section to the drinks menu that has some fun options including the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, which is named for the state fish of Hawaii and is strong enough that you'll not want to go for a swim afterwards.

Time Out tip: Naught is generous and has revealed some of the recipes to their most beloved classics. If you have a bottle of gin at home, try and recreate one of these and impress your next dinner party guest.

The Coupette Group, a small private hospo crew, quietly opened Bouvardia in May 2021. Its drinks program is known to be at the forefront of cutting-edge flavour innovation, from the use of isoamyl acetate (the chemical compound that tastes like bananas) to a sustainability centred focus on local seasonal ingredients – some of which take up to weeks to prepare. The venue manager behind the vision is none other than Dom Gareffa, formerly of Attica. But while Bouvardia’s reputation as an innovator may rest on its desire to push the bounds of modern drinking, the bottom line is that the cocktails truly taste as impressive as they look – and that’s why we’ll be back.

Time Out tip: Keen to kick on at the next bar? Try upstairs at Santana, a relaxed rooftop bar from the same dream team for cigars and South American wines. 

Heading to Peter Gunn’s tiny Collingwood bar (a post-lockdown neighbour to his illustrious restaurant Ides), you might fret you’re in for a rather stuffy excursion. Fortunately, it's nothing of the sort. Though the sleek womb-like space naturally smoulders with a sense of occasion, it dodges the pomp factor by taking its cues from izakayas and casual tapas bars. Neighbouring Ides may be the fancier option for a multi-course elevated meal, but this slinky alcove is a hell of a lot more sexy. Our only advice is to go hungrier than not – the elevated bites are worth the extra spend, and they’ll line your belly for some of the most impeccably crafted drinks money can buy on Smith Street.

Time Out tip: Head in on a Wednesday night for a scrumptious steak cooked over charcoal. 

There's an art to inheriting a beloved space. When Ferdydurke closed its doors in April 2024 after 12 years of deliberate grit and good times, the question wasn't just what would replace it, but how. Aster, the latest venture from Office of Public Works (the crew behind Section 8), answers with quiet confidence. The city changes, bars come and go, but sometimes a space finds its next perfect iteration. Aster isn't trying to replicate or compete with what came before – it's writing its own story, and doing it rather well. 

Time Out tip: Though Aster is gorgeous and deserves a lot of love, it's still fairly new and was therefore a little quiet on the night we last visited. Grab a drink here first, but if you're after somewhere a bit louder and livelier, you're in luck that Section 8 is right next door. 

Situated next to (and sharing a food menu with) the European, another Christopoulos enterprise, City Wine Shop is a cosy, intimate space with green-tiled walls, chalkboards displaying the daily specials and an entire floor-to-ceiling wall of bottles available to take home or drink in. There’s plenty of seating on the footpath outside to soak up those lovely Spring Street vibes at dusk, but given its proximity to the Princess Theatre and its scene-y reputation, it fills up fast even on cold winter nights. A seat at the bar is the next best thing, perfect for posting up with a plus-one or maybe a book. This is the sort of place you can go alone without feeling lonely.

Time Out tip: Pair the beautiful gnocchi pomodoro with a crisp Italian pinot grigio for a tasty, very Melbourne evening out on Spring Street.

There should be another word for what Byrdi is doing. Bar doesn’t quite cut it, despite the fact that dispensing booze is at the core of what it does. It seems more like some kind of lab where you get to play guinea pig to its scientist. The drinks, made and served by a fleet of staff swaddled in crushed linen, are highly original and highly delicious in equal parts. There’s plenty of exciting technique going on here, plus a strong sense of seasonality. Techniques commonly associated with kitchens are front and centre – fermenting, smoking, clarifying – and the results are often thrilling. It's no wonder Byrdi is globally recognised and gilded in glittering awards. 

Time Out tip: You're right near the cinema complex in Melbourne Central so why not follow that classy Byrdi drink with a decidedly un-classy Marvel sequel? Hey, life's all about balance.

One of Melbourne's OG laneway bars, Gin Palace has been keeping folks loose and liquored for almost 30 years. There have been many keys to the cocktail haunt's longevity: those famed chicken and mayo sangas, 90-milliletre Martini pours, a generous closing time of 3am (ideal for post-shift workers), a certain brand of bohemian swagger, and a mastery of all drinks juniper. It's such an institution it even won our Legend Award back in 2016.

Time Out tip: Thanks to cosy booths and a basement location, this spot's great for sexy and discrete date nights. Here's a place to liquor up with someone spesh into the wee hours. 

Alex Boon and Pez Collier are the lauded Brisbane bartenders who spent two years refining their idea of the perfect oyster and cocktail bar. They joined up with the Speakeasy Group (Nick and Nora's, Eau De Vie, Mjolner) and the collaboration is part of the brand’s Pathways to Partnership program, an initiative to bankroll visionary venues of hospo-preneurs. If Pearl Diver is anything to go by, the scheme could birth a whole new slew of city go-tos. 

Time Out tip: From Tuesday to Friday, 5pm until 7pm, you can get $2 oysters for two whole hours. What a shuckin' great deal!

Moody, intimate and tastefully lit, Black Kite Commune is the latest addition to the illustrious Russell Place – joining sister bars Gin Palace (a Melbourne institution) and its lively adjunct Bar Ampere. But fret not – Black Kite Commune has stepped into Neapoli’s shoes, ticking all boxes and then some. Spread across two levels, the mood is '70s bar meets French bistro – wooden panelling and low ceilings meet black walls and dark carpeted floors. A birdcage contraption on the far corner of the first floor adds a playful energy, while the purple hues of a lightbox night sky installation overlooking the entire venue creates an ethereal feel. 

Time Out tip: Here's your chance to try crocodile (BKC serves it fried with saltbush).

Perhaps the most unusual thing about Section 8 is that it’s still here. It's Melbourne’s longest-ever pop-up bar, first surfacing in 2006 with low overheads in a Chinatown car park, and then just never leaving. There’s not a clean line in the place, with graffiti and stickers covering almost every surface. White waistcoated waiters are nowhere to be seen, replaced with tattooed funky types who are very happy to walk you through the ever-changing beer list, shake a cocktail or dole out generous pours of wine. Section 8 is an outdoor drinking space, but the smells of nearby Chinatown eateries and smoke (from cigarettes and, sometimes, other things) mean you won’t be mistaking it for a brasserie en plein air. It’s as Melbourne as it gets, and we’re happy to report that means pure rock’n’roll. 

Time Out tip: Did you know Section 8 launched a fun day menu last year? Pop in one arvo to try an iced hibiscus and lemongrass matcha, a gelato affogato (courtesy of kind collaborators Kariton) or an alcohol-free No-jito. 

To drink at Liberty is to revel in the best of all booze. The only rule about each drop here is that it must be a superlative example of its style. Whether it’s wine, cider, cocktails, whisky, vermouth or even housemade soda, every item on the long menu is carefully curated: the variety and quality on offer are hard to overstate. 

Time Out tip: Head in on Sunday for a sophisticated set menu lunch.

Almay Jordaan and Simon Denman are serving more than 300 low-intervention and biodynamic wines alongside 12 tap beers and a super-slick menu cooked over coals with a South African inflection. The majority of the wine list, except for a literal handful of wines, are low-intervention vinos that have either received extended skin contact, been aged in amphora, have little to no sulfur added to the bottle, or are several of these things all at once. Confused? Don’t be. Each wine has been coded with its farming practices and processes.

Time Out tip: This spot has a lovely events space, and some folks even get married here! Check out the website for more information.

The Shady Lady has transformed the old Houndstooth on Johnston Street to be a self-proclaimed vegan-friendly, dog-friendly, LGBTQIA+-welcome dive bar with a glam-shab décor. Orange tassel-covered lampshades, blue painted brick, disco balls and cabaret curtains are a refreshing change from the minimalist blond wood and Prohibition-style bars littered around Fitzroy. The Shady Lady knows it is different and encourages boatloads of fabulous, daggy fun. 

Time Out tip: Great gigs and events are always happening at this fab watering hole. Hit up the bar's website to see what's coming next.

Eau de Vie was once one of those hidden bars that would take you a good chunk of time to find. Now, it’s one of the worst-kept secrets in Melbourne. Eau De Vie continues to be one of the busiest cocktail bars in town due to its ability to transport you out of the modern day and into the charms of yesteryear. But it isn’t just the jazzy soundtrack, private booths and staff clad in waistcoats that are the drawcard. Eau De Vie backs it up with some serious drinks and also a bit of flair. 

Time Out tip: Note these's a 'smart casual' dress code at this classy bar, so maybe leave the hoodie at home and opt for a nice coat instead.

A party-starting bar, with a gin-garden rooftop, smack in the middle of Chinatown – what business does Union Electric have being really, really, good? It’s common knowledge that most CBD venues with similar natural advantages are content with steadfast mediocrity, but not here. The bar champions fresh produce, each day pressing, juicing and infusing all manner of fruits, herbs and botanicals. The team gives extra vivacity to cheeky tropical-inspired cocktails and quenching Highballs, though on sticky days it’s difficult to beat the quench of rum or whisky simply served tall over fresh apple juice. 

Time Out tip: Got a penchant for gin? Check out one of these tasting masterclasses.

If you like cocktails, whisky, blues, good service and eating Reuben sandwiches at 2am, Beneath Driver Lane is your basement of dreams. Occupying an old bank vault in the CBD and celebrating its eighth birthday in 2025, this bar has a Harry Potter feeling that’s rare in Melbourne. It’s a vision of rustic Victorian style: the brick arched booths, the walls cluttered with black and white photos, and the warm light from candles and low-hanging lamps are comfortable. The fitout and the sharp service give this place a feeling that’s equal parts Melbourne, Chicago and Diagon Alley. 

Time Out tip: There's a very decent cheese and charcuterie selection here; try some Spanish-style sheep's cheese or the wild boar version of chorizo on your next visit.

Bahama Gold started out as a liquor delivery service in the dark days of lockdown, but has since evolved into a cosy public bar and wine shop for the discerning explorer. Think funky bottles like pét nats, orange and skin contact wines, plus many more indie drops from the 1,000 bottle-strong cellar. It may be a tiny operation but it heaves with big character. An impressive sound system plays an eclectic soundtrack of records curated by the bar team and wedged within the 30-seater there's a roaring fireplace for chilly nights. Good hospitality is all about the little thoughtful things and here, there are too many to count. 

Time Out tip: Prefer to have wine time at home? Check out Bahama Gold's lightning-fast home delivery service!

The creators of Pinchy’s Lobster and Champagne bar bring you an intimate space dedicated to nature’s most perfect pairing: oysters and chablis. In its previous life, Pearl was a nail salon. There are no windows, the ceilings are low, and you’ll have to walk in single file to fit between the bar and sidewall banquettes. But instead of feeling at all claustrophobic, it feels exclusive – almost like being backstage somewhere. If Pinchy’s is pink and kitsch, Pearl is gilded and luxurious.

Time Out Tip: Forever chasing good chablis? Buy a bottle from Pearl's online store.

A wine bar and digital radio station being run out of a creative arts precinct housed in a disused school. It doesn’t get much more Melbourne than that. Hope St Radio is located within Collingwood Yards and run by power duo (and coincidentally friends who love great food and wine) Pete Baxter and Jack Shaw. The wine bar and radio station headquarters aims to bring the community together by championing local musicians, produce and natural wine. Punters can expect local DJs mixing vinyl all through the night, expansive outdoor communal tables and fire pits and a 60-strong wine list highlighting the best of the new-age natty stuff.

Time Out tip: To listen to the actual Hope St Radio livestream, go here.

Heartbreaker isn’t the kind of place you go to when you’ve got an early morning the next day. You'll get swept up in the rock’n’roll, flowing shots, beer chasers and party-hard spirit the venue has cultivated over the last few years. Throw in that late-night New York-style slice and you’re in for some trouble with a whole lot of staying power. Sure, it’s a dive bar, but it isn’t a hovel. It’s a T-shirt-and-leather-jacket crew here, who like to dress every bit as rock’n’roll as the soundtrack.

Time Out tip: The ID process is pretty strict here, so if you want to join in the fun, don't leave your wallet at home.  

This bar is named after the year in which the word ‘cocktail’ first appeared in our vernacular, and it takes the art of cocktail-making very seriously here. From the 1930s gentlemen’s clubs of Philadelphia to the classy small bars of Florence and the beaches of Brazil, the cocktails seduce you with curious backstories, but it’s the skill of the staff here that seals the deal. The real showstopper is the out-of-this-world whisky and cheese flights that match 2016’s favourite spirit with cave-aged English cheddar and 1,000-day-old gouda.   

Time Out tip: We're in the theatre district! Bookmark this one for your next pre-show drink. 

When Kirk’s opened in 2015 it immediately felt like a substantive thread in our city’s fabric, with its familiar, lived-in feel, confident service and mature wine list. At last, Spring Street sophistication had come to the shouty end of town. Years have passed, but it feels as essential as ever, proving that a classic wine bar, done well, never goes out of fashion. The list is as deep as it is broad, paying respect to all the old-world staples before giving equal ardour to trailblazing makers like Radikon and local innovators like Memento Mori. 

Time Out tip: Get the steak frites! 

Nestled amid the high-density apartments that cluster together in this particular part of Brunswick, Nina’s is carving out a space for itself with a beautifully thought-out menu, service that’s as laidback as it is efficient, and a space that’s as inviting in the warmer months of the year as it’ll be in the chillier nights of winter – no one will be able to resist pasta night then.  

Time Out tip: Monday is $25 gnocchi night, the perfect excuse to turn that post-weekend Monday frown upside down. 

Walking into Leonard’s is like finding the coolest house party at the ski resort, circa 1983: a place where staff kick back to rock’n’roll, drink whisky and make fun of the bleach-blonde varsity ski team crowd. The venture from Guy Bentley and Mark Catsburg, plus bar manager Jonathan Harper and chef Nick Stanton, occupies a corner bluestone just off of Chapel Street in South Yarra.

Time Out tip: On the food front, it's all about the burgers and fried chicken here, so do yourself a favour: come hungry. 

The recently renovated rooftop bar above Carlton’s King and Godfree has cruised onto the scene with a fun Italian menu from celebrated chef Karen Martini, Spritzes galore and a regular rotating of vibing DJs to match. It's very much giving Euro summer nostalgia, thanks to the snazzy bar team's red-hot drinks game, tasty pizzas and share plates and a young-leaning crowd in their best dress. If you can snag a spot at dusk, grab a Negroni to sip on as you take in the fragrant air of Lygon Street's restaurants over impressive views of Melbourne's city skyline.  

Time Out tip: Grab a drink and a snack here before you check out a film at Nova across the road – one of Time Out Melbourne's fave cinemas.

Lonsdale Street’s four-storey mega-venue looks across at where the modest St. Jerome’s once stood, but this addition to Melbourne bar life is a million miles away from the milk crates and graffiti of the laneway original. That is no criticism, more an evolution, as Her is a great mix of all-day drinking. The street-level space sells itself as a “daytime” cocktail bar, although it slings French 75s and Dirty Gin Martinis until 3am.

Time Out tip: Head upstairs to the Music Room that makes you feel like you're drinking inside a speaker, or spend the sunny arvos on the Her Rooftop with a quirky mosaic and great summer drinks.

Lulie is a good time no matter when you visit — it just depends on the kind of night you're chasing. A low-key pool game and a burger on a Monday? Great. A rowdy Saturday on the Full Moon Fever rooftop? Also great. Either way, you're eating a burger. Either way, it's all fun.

Time Out tip: Fret not if you're vego; this spot does one of the best plant-based burgers in town.