The best bars in Melbourne right now

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 19th best bar in the world on the 2025 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? This stylish yet welcoming wine bar in Fitzroy North is a treasure for day drinks on the terrace and inventive dishes.

Why we love it: The dynamic duo of Giulia Giorgetti and Steve Harry have done the local community a service by filling this two-storey heritage building with all the necessary ingredients needed to make a consummate Melbourne wine bar: seriously well-trained staff, an easygoing energy, and rapidly evolving food and drink choices to reward maturer palates.

Time Out tip: If you’re off the booze, no need to mark Suze off your list. The non-alcoholic options are just as thoughtful and well-structured as the rest of the drinks list.

What is it? A smouldering new Shanghai-inspired cocktail bar from the team behind cult fave Carlton North café-bar Sleepy's (Steve Chan, Jesse Kourmouzis and Jacob Muoio).

Why we love it: Loosely inspired by an enchanting fusion of Chinese folklore, East Asian flavour profiles and world-class bar culture, this dreamy venue mash-up blends Fitzroy cool and craft cocktails with the vibes of 1920s Shanghai. It has quickly risen beyond its initial opening buzz to deliver one of the most thrilling and magical drinking experiences in Melbourne right now. 

Time Out tip: Take your time acquainting yourself with the helpful flavour profile icons at the bottom of the drinks list: sweet, sour, bitter, dry and smoky. This is a world to fully immerse yourself in and learn more about what you like as a drinker. 

What is it? A CBD sherry bar brought to you by cocktail royalty (aka the Caretaker's Cottage crew).

Why we love it: The drinks at Three Horses carry the same finesse as Caretaker’s. This isn’t a smoke-and-mirrors cocktail bar; it doesn’t need to be. The magic lies in the quality of the ingredients and the precision of their execution. There are no gratuitous garnishes. Every element is considered, each drink constructed to engage sight, aroma and palate.

Time Out tip: Arrive just after opening and take a bar seat – the team’s sherry knowledge is worth the early start.

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.

What is it? A stylish suburban wine bar in Melbourne's south.

Why we love it: Just as the ideal neighbourhood wine bar should, Albert's Wine Bar 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.

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? 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 casual Melbourne stalwart always up for a good time in the form of great drinks, welcoming service and a devil-may-care community spirit. And with a new location on Lygon Street, there's no better time to pop in for a visit.

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? 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.

What is it? What started as a humble watering hole in Footscray has transformed beautifully into a jack-of-all-trades.

Why we love it: Good booze, BYO eats, an on-site bottle-o and expert staff who live and breathe liquor – this drinkers' paradise in the west has it all

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. 

What is it? It's a place that celebrates American whiskey culture with style, substance and zero pretension.

Why we love it: Perched right in the thick of the action on High Street, Goodwater has mastered what so many venues struggle with: being both a serious whiskey bar and genuinely welcoming space. 

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

What is it? Hospo heavyweights assemble to bring the glamour to Glen Iris, where Hellenic comfort food is delivered with a polished professionalism.

Why we love it: Just months into life on Burke Road, it has the surety and steadiness of a venue that’s been around for years, where deceptively simplistic fare is delivered warmly, and tenured pros guide you through a long Athenian lunch.

Time Out tip: Order the trio of dips – here it takes the form of three technically assured and flavour-packed besties for blistered wood-charred bread, fermented using whey extracted during the haloumi-making process.

What is it? Eastern European plates and excellent local wines collide at this romantic suburban bar.

Why we love it: Wine bars are a dime a dozen in Melbourne, but Ruzia’s offers something different with an inventive menu built around co-owner and chef Ravi Presser’s Polish-Jewish lineage, paired with a strong vino list.

Time Out tip: The intimate space can fill quickly, so it’s worth booking a table just in case.

What is it? Melbourne’s first Mauritian wine bar masters the balancing act between approachability and intrigue, rewarding locals, natty wine lovers and the intrepid alike.

Why we love it: At its heart, Manzé is a fantastic little wine bar with a strong drinks offering, but the food shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re keen to try something new and ingredient-driven.

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

What is it? Located down a backstreet in the heart of Chinatown, this cocktail bar delivers cool and contemporary without pretence.

Why we love it: The small bar is intimate, with space for just 24 people. With dim lighting, dark wood finishes and slate-tiled floors, it’s quietly romantic and makes for an excellent date spot. 

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

What is it? Excellent snacks marry a cracking selection of cool tipples at this must-visit Armadale wine bar.

Why we love it: With a culinary offering that shines a light on local, seasonal produce, interesting wines and an ever-changing menu that demands constant revisits, it’s a real boon for lucky southsiders.

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.  

What is it? An intimate, clubby space just off Russell Street that glows with an amber hue thanks to the 500 or more whisky bottles that are stacked behind the bar, locked in the glass cabinet on the wall.

Why we love it: Whisky and Alement acts like your best mate with a club subscription he can’t keep on top of, and the bar offers the widest range of the Society’s limited-edition drops in the Southern Hemisphere that you can buy by the glass.

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

What is it? 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.

Why we love it: The 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.

What is it? A glitzy, glamorous cocktail bar bringing the Roaring ‘30s to the present day.

Why we love it: If Champagne is your thing, Nick and Nora’s is the place for a glass of celebratory bubbles. 

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 a Golden Age Hollywood film. This bar won't bat an eye.

What is it? A neon-red rooftop haven for cigars, South American wines and top-shelf brown spirits.

Why we love it: This sultry Latin-inspired bar is offering one of the CBD’s most sensual and thoughtfully curated casual drinking experiences above ground level. 

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.

What is it? Manze’s younger sibling expands the spice party across Errol Street, with a unique and focused iteration of the Melbourne wine bar.

Why we love it: Tight and refined, expect the unexpected from Boire’s drinks offering.

Time Out tip: Boire operates as a daytime sandwich shop seven days a week, with a revolving roster of generously filled options.

What is it? A casual dining destination equally suitable for both a proper meal and a quick snack-and-drink combo.

Why we love it: It's not hard to see why Embla's been so treasured since it first burst onto the scene. Chef Dave Verheul knows how to make 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.

What is it? A retro-leaning gin joint is bringing city style to the outer suburbs.

Why we love it: Another bar channelling the Prohibition era, Naught is worth the trip out to Eltham for a speakeasy designed to showcase its award-winning range of gins.

Time Out tip: You can recreate the magic of Naught at home by purchasing a bottle to take home.

What is it? An experimental bar that crafts excellent drinks that taste just as flamboyant as they look.

Why we love it: 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 impressive – 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 cigar bar from the same dream team. 

What is it? A sophisticated hideaway where Melbourne's past and present share a drink.

Why we love it: The balcony alone is worth the visit. In fact, it's a bit of an enigma – it's seemingly never packed and yet there's always a spot, which is perplexing as it overlooks such a beautiful slice of Melbourne's inner city. It's truly a wonderful spot to perch up and have your drink of choice and a cigarette if you're so inclined.

Time Out tip: If you're after somewhere a bit louder and livelier for kick-ons, you're in luck that Section 8 is right next door. 

What is it? 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.

Why we love it: City Wine Shop may not be as fresh and fun as some of its hot new competitors, but it’s earned its acclaim for a reason. The consistency, quality and hospitality are second to none.

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

What is it? One of our city's most decorated cocktail bars, located inside a food court. 

Why we love it: 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.

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.

What is it? One of Melbourne's OG laneway bars, Gin Palace has been keeping folks loose and liquored for almost 30 years.

Why we love it: 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. 

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

What is it? An intimate slice of Italian nightlife in Kew, serving up masterful cocktails and Sicilian-inspired cuisine in a moody, Fellini-esque setting.

Why we love it: The cocktail menu that reads like a short but punchy love letter to Italian spirits, with a cheeky modern twist.

Time Out tip: Movie nights are back, and this winter it's all about British cinema – think classic flicks served with Pimms and a toad in the hole appetiser. Find out more here.

What is it? A sophisticated spot inspired by New Orleans oyster bars and French wine bars.

Why we love it: Stop by the bar’s glass cabinet to eye four different oyster varieties from a smattering of Aussie states. Each is designed to be enjoyed natural with mignonette and lemon, or tricked up with a choice of three different dressings. 

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

What is it? Moody, intimate and tastefully lit, Black Kite Commune is is '70s bar meets French bistro.

Why we love it: Despite being only a hop, skip and jump away from Bourke Street, Black Kite Commune feels like a world away from everything else. It may be too dark for you to read a book (solo patrons, take note), but it’s the perfect place to while the night away. 

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

What is it? The coolest shipping container in town that attracts everyone who’s anyone.

Why we love it: 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. 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.

Time Out tip: There's always something going on, so stay across Section 8's Instagram for the latest events.

What is it? A European-style wine bar with some Fitzroy attitude that's perfect for a quick cocktail or a lavish dinner.

Why we love it: 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.

What is it? A natural wine bar with South African flourishes from the Neighbourhood Wine crew.

Why we love it: Old Palm Liquor is probably as Brunswick as you can get with its daggy-but-beautiful fitout, natural wine list and menu imparted with flavours we rarely see, but it’s a winning formula that has it packed out every night it’s open.

Time Out tip: Old Palm Liquor has a lovely events space, and some folks even get married here – how dreamy! Check out the website for more.

What is it? The Shady Lady has transformed the old Houndstooth on Johnston Street into a self-proclaimed vegan-friendly, dog-friendly, LGBTQIA+-welcome dive bar with a glam-shab décor.

Why we love it: 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 website to see what's coming next.

What is it? Eau de Vie may not be the newest, the shiniest or the hardest bar to find anymore, but it has aged like many of the finest whiskies in its collection wearing its years as a badge of well-earned pride.

Why we love it: It 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 for this one. 

What is it? A party-starting bar, with a gin-garden rooftop, smack in the middle of Chinatown.

Why we love it: 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: Aperitivo hour runs from Monday to Friday, 5-7pm.

What is it? If you like cocktails, whisky, blues, good service and eating Reuben sandwiches at 2am, Beneath Driver Lane is your basement of dreams. 

Why we love it: 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. 

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.

What is it? 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. 

Why we love it: Think funky bottles like pét nats, orange and skin contact wines, plus many more indie drops from the 1,000 bottle-strong cellar. 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.

What is it? 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.

Why we love it: It 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: It's one of Dua Lipa's favourite spots in Melbourne, and that's good enough for us.

What is it? 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.

Why we love it: 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. 

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. 

What is it? Named after the year in which the word ‘cocktail’ first appeared in our vernacular, 1806 takes the art of cocktail-making very seriously here. 

Why we love it: 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. 

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

What is it? One of the first bars to have kickstarted the evolution of Hardware Lane from tourist trap to food destination.

Why we love it: 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. Years have passed, but it feels as essential as ever, proving that a classic wine bar, done well, never goes out of fashion. 

Time Out tip: Sit outside, order the the steak frites and enjoy the people-watching. 

What is it? A Brunswick spot with a strong sense of community spirit and a beautifully curated menu.

Why we love it: 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 is in the chillier nights of winter.

Time Out tip: Sit outside, order the the steak frites and enjoy the people-watching. 

What is it? A rockin’ ski lodge-style house party in South Yarra.

Why we love it: 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. 

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

What is it? Carlton's hottest spot for a day-to-night party.

Why we love it: This recently renovated rooftop bar in Carlton 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.

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.

What is it? Lonsdale Street’s four-storey mega-venue that has something for everyone.

Why we love it: Whether you're keen for a boogie, a hearty Thai feast or rooftop cocktails with the cool kids, it ticks all the boxes.

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

What is it? Beloved Abbotsford watering hole Lulie Tavern delivers effortless dining and drinking, with zero fuss. 

Why we love it: 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, 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.