The best rum bars in Melbourne

This house of cocktail excellence positions itself at the intersection of professionalism and thigh-slapping fun. You could also ask for any obscure cocktail and they’ll make you the best rendition in town.

The drinks here are made with skill, precision and a keen respect for ingredients. We recommend pairing a dark rum with your frozen cream-capped Espresso Zabaione.

The menu is a beautiful ode to every shade of rum: if you want to nerd out, do a flight of them matched to a cheeseboard. They've even made their own house spiced rum.

The Nelson’s specialty is rum, and the St Kilda locals are loving it. This laid-back bayside bar is just a stone's throw away from the beach, which makes their rum cocktail list particularly on point after strolls along the St Kilda pier. In summer, the Nelson Mojito lends extra zing with pepper, lime zest and mint, while the Hot Buttered Rum number takes the edge off winter nights. 

Hats & Tatts is an American style dive bar/pub complete with pinball, Coors on tap, 80s pro wrestling on the telly and a jukebox with all the fist pumping hits you could ask for. Their drinks program includes classic cocktails on tap, a rotovap (rotary evaporator, or mad scientist gear used for distilling small amounts of anything), and an epic back bar collection gathered over years in the industry.